In a unique celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, 30 Emirati women representing three generations of the healthcare sector embarked on a special journey aboard Etihad Rail. The excursion, which traveled from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah and back, was conceptualized and organized by Burjeel Holdings in partnership with Etihad Rail to honor the leadership, achievements, and ongoing contributions of women to the nation’s development.
The group included a diverse range of professionals, spanning senior physicians, doctors, nurses, and clinicians, as well as those in administrative and support roles. This intergenerational mix allowed for a comprehensive dialogue on how the professional landscape for Emirati women has evolved alongside the country’s rapid growth. Participants shared experiences ranging from the early days when certain healthcare specialties were rarely accessible to women, to the current era where younger professionals are entering the field with increased confidence and ambition.
Dr. Farida Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for National Talent Empowerment at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), joined the participants to offer insights into national talent development. Her presence underscored the importance of resilience and the expanding influence of Emirati women in shaping the future of the UAE’s workforce and healthcare infrastructure.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Dr. Tahani Al Qadiri, Associate Vice President of the Burjeel Training Academy, noted that the journey highlighted the shared purpose of healthcare workers across all disciplines. She emphasized that witnessing natural, cross-generational conversations was a highlight of the experience, illustrating how each generation creates new opportunities for the next. Dr. Aysha Almahri, CEO of the Al Ain Region at Burjeel Holdings, echoed this sentiment, remarking on the inspiration drawn from seeing the younger generation step forward to lead.
For many participants, the journey served as a moment to acknowledge the barriers broken by their predecessors. Sara Alkatheeri, a nutritionist at Burjeel Medical City, expressed that the legacy of those who came before provides the motivation to continue raising standards in the healthcare sector. The discussions also shed light on the vital, often less-visible contributions of women working in operations and patient services, whose work remains essential to the delivery of quality care.
The choice of Etihad Rail as the venue added a layer of symbolism to the event, mirroring the UAE’s broader commitment to connectivity and long-term national progress. As the train traversed the country, the participants reflected on how their individual professional milestones are intrinsically linked to the nation’s development. The journey concluded with a shared consensus that progress is a cumulative process, built by opening doors and ensuring that future generations are equipped to go even further.
Throughout the trip, the informal environment fostered valuable networking and mentoring opportunities. By exchanging stories of resilience and career development, the women reinforced a collective commitment to the future of healthcare in the UAE, ensuring that the momentum established by previous generations continues to drive the sector forward. The report also notes that seeing these conversations take place so naturally across generations was one of the most meaningful aspects of the journey,” said Dr. The report also notes that more importantly, how every generation is helping create the next set of opportunities, their stories show how far opportunities for Emirati women have progressed and. The report also notes that “Today, we have the confidence to dream bigger because the women before us broke barriers and proved what was possible. The report also notes that creating opportunities, and building for the future, the journey reflected the broader story of a country that has continuously invested in connecting people.