Abu Dhabi, 15 September 2026 Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies organized a panel discussion today titled “Women and Family Between Past and Present: Stories from Life” as part of the…
Abu Dhabi, 15 September 2026
Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies organized a panel discussion today titled “Women and Family Between Past and Present: Stories from Life” as part of the 35th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The fair is being held from 13 to 18 September 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), under the theme “Turn the Page, Read the World”, and under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
The panel formed part of the Center’s continued celebration of Emirati Women’s Month and recognition of the leading role of women in the nation’s development. Through its program, the Center dedicated a platform to highlighting the experiences of women in the UAE through real-life stories, recognizing women as essential partners in building families and communities and as influential contributors across the fields of education, work, and decision-making.
The panel featured Dr. Nahla Al Naqbi, Family Medicine Consultant and advisor on healthy lifestyles and community awareness, and Ms. Aisha Al Muhairi, Humanities Curriculum Expert and Board Member of the Emirates Businesswomen Council. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Dalia Mabrouk, Director of Research and Knowledge at Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies.
The session explored 5 key themes: women and family between past and present and the evolving nature of roles and responsibilities; the experiences of Emirati women and the role of the family in supporting and empowering their journeys; balancing family, work, and ambition in contemporary life; the impact of social and technological transformations on families and relationships among family members; and preserving Emirati values and identity while strengthening intergenerational connections.
The speakers shared personal experiences and real-life stories reflecting the evolution of the roles of Emirati women and families across generations. They emphasized that the family has remained the primary foundation for women’s empowerment and highlighted how rapid technological developments can be harnessed to strengthen bonds between generations and pass national values and identity on to younger generations through family dialogue and everyday role models.
The panel is one of the highlights of the integrated program presented by Emirates Scholar Center at its pavilion throughout the 6 days of the fair, featuring a series of scientific and dialogue-based sessions. The program reflects the Center’s vision of connecting scientific research with societal issues and priorities, while ensuring that women’s voices remain an integral part of intellectual and cultural dialogue.
Through its participation in this edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Emirates Scholar Center for Research and Studies continues to strengthen its role as a bridge between researchers, society, and partner institutions, contributing to the UAE’s vision of building a cohesive knowledge-based society founded on people, science, and a strong sense of national belonging.
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