Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais Of UAE Makes History As First Woman To Lead UN Tourism
New Age Islam News Bureau
10 November 2025
· Shaikha Nasser Al NowaisOf UAE Makes History As First Woman To Lead UN Tourism
· Iran Arrests Gymnastics Coach Over Public Performance Without Headscarf
· Muslim Woman Battles Right-Wing Pushback To Reclaim Village Sarpanch Post in Gujarat
· Women Candidates In Iraq's Elections Double Since 2021
· Under The Patronage Of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak 3rd Remarkable Emirati Women Event To Take Place In Abu Dhabi
· Falling Barriers: Women Firefighters Blaze New Paths In Pakistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/history-first-woman-un-tourism/d/137585
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Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais Of UAE Makes History As First Woman To Lead UN Tourism
Nov 10, 2025
UAE’s Shaikha Al Nowais Makes History Leading UN Tourism / Image Credit: UN Tourism
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In a landmark moment for the United Arab Emirates and the global travel industry, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais has been nominated as the first-ever woman to lead UN Tourism in its 50-year history. Her nomination was confirmed during the 123rd UN Tourism Executive Council session held in Segovia, Spain, where she secured a majority vote. Once ratified by the UN General Assembly, she will officially take office in January 2026 for a four-year term, marking a proud and historic achievement for the UAE on the world stage.
A 50-year barrier is broken
The United Arab Emirates has marked a monumental moment on the global stage: Shaikha Al Nowais has been officially confirmed as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations Specialised Agency for Tourism (UN Tourism). This appointment, ratified by the 160 Member States at the 26th General Assembly, is not just a high-level posting—it is a piece of history. Shaikha Al Nowais becomes the first woman to lead the organization since its establishment 50 years ago in 1975.
This triumph is viewed across the nation as a direct reflection of the UAE’s sustained commitment to its Vision 2040 goals of women’s empowerment and global leadership. Upon the announcement, the highest levels of the UAE leadership hailed the achievement. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the appointment "reaffirms the UAE's commitment to empowering Emirati women in leadership." The victory is dedicated, by Al Nowais herself, to the leadership and to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, whom she praised as the "first and most enduring supporter of Emirati and Arab women."
Who is Shaikha Al Nowais?
Shaikha Al Nowais is far from an outsider to the industry she is set to lead. Her professional life reflects the dynamism and ambition of the UAE's economy. She is a highly accomplished Emirati business leader with over 16 years of international experience, bringing a rare mix of corporate efficiency and global strategy to the UN.
Key positions that prepared her for this historic role include:
Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels, managing owner relationships across a vast geographic area including the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
Chair of the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Tourism Working Group, where she has actively shaped public-private sector collaboration.
Board memberships on the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and the prestigious Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
Her candidacy itself was a reflection of the national vision, with Al Nowais noting that her nomination by the UAE was “reflective of the importance our country places on empowering Emirati women in leadership positions.” This appointment firmly places an Emirati woman at the forefront of global policy, proving that professionals from the region can lead international organizations with skill and excellence.
A bold vision
Shaikha Al Nowais is set to officially begin her four-year term in January 2026. She takes the helm at a critical juncture for the industry, which faces challenges from climate change, technological acceleration, and geopolitical shifts.
She has articulated a comprehensive Five-Pillar Vision designed to transform the tourism sector:
Responsible Tourism: Prioritizing environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation.
Capacity Building: Expanding opportunities, specifically focusing on youth and women empowerment in the sector.
Technology for Good: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools to enhance efficiency and the traveller experience.
Innovative Financing: Mobilizing new investments and financial solutions to support sustainable growth.
Smart Governance: Ensuring transparent, ethical, and collaborative leadership across all Member States.
Her commitment to women's and youth empowerment is particularly strong, aiming to create training programs and job opportunities that ensure tourism growth is equitable. This focus is already mirrored in her private sector work, where she championed supportive workplace policies like flexible working arrangements to help women thrive.
A message to Emirati women
The impact of this appointment extends far beyond tourism policy; it is an inspirational moment for every young Emirati woman.
When addressing young professionals, Shaikha Al Nowais offered clear, empowering advice: “Don’t wait for permission to lead.” She emphasized the importance of curiosity, urging them to “Always ask questions.”
The underlying sentiment is that leadership is a choice, not a privilege granted, and the success of the UAE lies in service driven by a strong sense of purpose. Her appointment stands as a tangible outcome of the UAE’s decades-long investment in education, opportunity, and the belief that Emirati women are equipped to excel on the world’s most demanding platforms. This is a historic victory not just for Shaikha Al Nowais, but for the entire nation.
What to expect under her leadership?
As incoming head of UN Tourism, Shaikha Al Nowais is expected to champion responsible tourism, digital innovation, community development and capacity-building, especially for women and youth. Industry expectations are high as she takes charge at a time when tourism demands smarter policy, sustainability-driven strategies and more collaborative global growth. Her leadership is seen as an opportunity to reshape tourism into a more equitable, future-driven and culturally respectful global sector, while strengthening partnerships between nations.
Source: indiatimes.com
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/uae-historic-moment-shaikha-nasser-al-nowais-makes-history-as-first-woman-to-lead-un-tourism/articleshow/125216410.cms
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Iran Arrests Gymnastics Coach Over Public Performance Without Headscarf
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Hanieh Shariati was detained on Sunday evening by agents of the Intelligence Ministry
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Iranian security agents have arrested a taekwondo athlete and gymnastics coach in Tehran, taking her to an undisclosed location after she performed athletic demonstrations in public without wearing a headscarf.
HaniehShariati was detained on Sunday evening by agents of the Intelligence Ministry.
Authorities cited “failing to observe public dress codes during a public performance” as the reason for her arrest, according to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
Shariati was allowed one brief phone call to her family after the arrest, during which she expressed concern about her situation.
Her family has since received no information about her whereabouts or condition.
Security agencies have taken control of her social media accounts following the arrest.
Source: iranwire.com
https://iranwire.com/en/women/146195-iran-arrests-gymnastics-coach-over-public-performance-without-headscarf/
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Muslim Woman Battles Right-Wing Pushback To Reclaim Village Sarpanch Post in Gujarat
Damayantee Dhar
10 Nov 2025
The 22-year-old Afroz was declared the winner in the local Sarpanch polls held in June this year, but even as she prepared to take office, the Mehsana Municipal Corporation (MMC) had initiated steps to disqualify her. Talking to The Federal, AfrozbaniSipai said, “I had mistakenly written my date of birth as January 7, 2005 and that became an issue when the Collector was making a list of all the winning sarpanches of Mehsana to be felicitated by the Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in an event. However, the office of the taluka development officer (TDO) did not inform me and directly initiated the disqualification process. As per the rules, the TDO is supposed to send a notice in case of any discrepancy in the nominee or winner’s form.” Not giving up Further, Afrozbanu shared that her father sought her correct birth certificate that showed her birth date as September 3, 2003, which made her 22 years old at the time of the poll. "But the civic body by then had handed over the disqualification notice to us by on July 8 and Hirenbhai Chaudhary, the runner up of the gram panchayat election was declared the sarpanch of Gilosan. I was told nothing could be done now." Afrozbanu, however, did not want to give up without a fight. "That’s when I decided to file the legal case,” she said. Justice delivered She filed a case in the Gujarat High Court challenging the MMC’s order in August 2025. On October 19 this year, the High Court quashed the civic body’s decision and reinstated Afrozbanu as the sarpanch of Gilosan. Also read: How Hindu Right ends up justifying Muslim communalism Notably, Justice Niral R Mehta quashed the MMC order on the ground that no notice was issued to AfrozbanuSipai by the civic body before taking action against her. The judgement said that the respondent could not dispute the fact that no notice was issued to Afrozbanu prior to the cancellation of the birth certificate. “Under the circumstances, the impugned order / communication is quashed and set aside, without going into the merits of the matter. How ver, it is open for the respondent authority to initiate fresh proceedings against the petitioner for the purpose of cancellation of the birth certificate in accordance with law and after following the principle of natural justice,” read the judgement. Afrozbanu’s family, who originally hail from Mahisagar district, had migrated to Gilosan village, Mehsana in 2002, after escaping an attack on their home in the communal riots in February the same year. Night of terror In a chat with The Federal, Afrozbanu’s father, AbbasbhaiSipai, recounted the harrowing experiences of the Godhra riots that devastated their family and turned their lives upside down. He said, “I will never forget that night. It was just my mother, my wife and I living in Mahisagar city. I used to work in a carpenter’s shop. Life was not great but we were managing. Then one night we lost everything – my mother, my brother and our home. My home was around 65 kilometres from Godhra railway station where it had all begun. My brother and his family used to live just beside my home. At around 1 am on February 27, 2002, my wife suddenly woke up due to a loud noise. We looked out of the window and saw a mob with all kinds of weapons and burning torches in their hands, running towards our home.” “Before we could do anything, some ten or fifteen men broke into our house and dragged my mother out. That was the last time I saw her. One of them charged at my wife with a sword and I threw myself before her and got injured. The crowd moved on and left me thinking I was dead. I don’t remember when I was brought to the Godhra relief camp. But I found my wife in the camp. She was injured and during her treatment, we found out that she was pregnant. I also learnt that my mother, brother, his wife and son were also killed,” he said adding that it was difficult to completely erase all those memories even after all these years. Move to GilosanGilosan, a village with around 1,024 families had remained unaffected in the riots. AbbasbhaiSipai and his wife moved to Gilosan in April 2002 to live with their relatives. As Abbas Sipai and his wife began to build a life from scratch, Afrozbanu was born in September 2003 and then her brother in 2005. Abbasbhai began to work as a daily wage labourer. Life was getting back on track for the Sipai family, when Afrozbanu, who aspired to be a politician, filed her nomination for the local polls. The problems began the day she filed her nomination for the local polls. “Afrozbanu has been teaching school children and is quite popular amongst the students and their families. Although some men of a local right wing outfit Hindu Sena began to harass her after she filed her nomination, she won by 300 votes,” said Afrozbanu’s lawyer Shakeel Qureshi.Fighting back Afrozbanu recollected how her family was constantly harassed since she filed the form. But she stuck to her goal. “Once my father was threatened by one of the Hindu Sena men, who told him if I don’t take back my nomination, my family shall witness 2002 like fate again. Despite complants, local police has not arrested anyone until now. This is exactly why I want to be in a politician, so that I can ensure that my family, or any other Muslim family never has to face any such torment again,” she said with determination.Despite the high court’s order on October 19, Hirenbhai Chaudhary, who was declared sarpanch, vacated the office only on November 3 this year, only after the local police asked him to vacate the gram panchayat building. Hindus upset While Chaudhary refused to comment, his cousin and a member of Hindu Sena Jignesh Chaudhary told The Federal, “Gilosan used to be a village of Hindus with a handful of Muslim families, who lived on the outskirts and did not participate in village affairs. Then, the Sipais and three other Muslim families from Godhra shifted here in 2002 and after them some other Muslim families also arrived from other districts. Now, we have around 100 Muslim families in Gilosan. This is not safe for our village. Also, added to all this, we have to now accept a Mu limsarpanch. We are worried for the safety of Hindus of Gilosan.” Meanwhile, the police inspector of Gilosan police station also refused to comment on why no action was taken despite Afroz’s repeated complaints. Himanshu Solanki, the Superintendent of Police of Mehsana said, “I was told that the candidate with second highest vote was declared the sarpanch (Hirenbhai Chaudhary) when the winner’s (Afroz) nominations were disqualified. But now that the court has ordered to reinstate Afroz Sipai, Chaudhary was delaying in vacating the gram panchayat office. The local police have been asked to look into the matter and ensure that she gets her office as the village sarpanch.. However, I’m not aware of any other form of harassment faced by the sarpanch or her family.”
Source: thefederal.com
https://thefederal.com/category/states/west/gujarat/muslim-woman-battles-right-wing-sarpanch-post-gilosan-village-gujarat-215451
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Women candidates in Iraq's elections double since 2021
2025-11-10
More than twice as many women are contesting Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections as in 2021, according to The National.
The outlet reported that 2,248 women are among the 7,768 candidates competing for 329 parliamentary seats, compared with 950 female contenders four years ago. Iraq’s constitution reserves one quarter of parliamentary seats for women and requires every third candidate on party lists to be female, yet patriarchal norms and limited campaign funding continue to constrain women’s participation.
The National pointed out that female candidates face deep financial disparities, with major parties spending heavily on campaign materials while independents rely on small donations. Additionally, several candidates, including lawyer Neran al-Zahawi, pledged to push for stronger protections against gender-based violence and to amend Iraq’s recent Personal Status Law, which activists say undermines women’s rights.
Source: shafaq.com
https://shafaq.com/en/society/Women-candidates-in-Iraq-s-elections-double-since-2021
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Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak 3rd Remarkable Emirati Women event to take place in Abu Dhabi
10 NOVEMBER 2025
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and Mother of the Nation, the General Women’s Union, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and PureHealthhas announced the third edition of the Remarkable Emirati Women event, taking place on 12 November 2025 at St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.
Building on the success of previous years, this year’s edition will be held under the theme Unleash Your Impact, spotlighting how Emirati women are transforming empowerment into meaningful community impact. The event reaffirms the UAE’s leadership commitment to advancing women’s development and celebrates Emirati women as key drivers of progress across all sectors.
Her Excellency Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, said: “The Remarkable Emirati Women Summit reflects the wise vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, in empowering Emirati women and enabling them to be active partners in shaping the country’s future and prosperity. Through Her Highness’s unwavering support, Emirati women have become a global model of ambition, leadership and social contribution – turning positive impact into tangible achievements that advance sustainable development.
“At the General Women’s Union, we are committed to showcasing the success stories of Emirati women and celebrating those who embody the values of leadership, innovation and social responsibility that Her Highness has inspired throughout the nation’s remarkable journey.”
The Remarkable Emirati Women event will bring together over 600 inspiring women and men from diverse backgrounds for a full day of talks, panel discussions, masterclasses and mindfulness sessions. The programme is designed to foster dialogue, connection and collaboration among change-makers shaping the nation’s journey of growth and innovation.
Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said: “Under the esteemed patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (May God protect her), we honour the women who are not only shaping their own futures but transforming the world around them. Remarkable Emirati Women 2025 celebrates the power of impact – how ambition becomes action and leadership becomes legacy. At PureHealth, we are proud to stand at the forefront of this empowerment journey, supporting the UAE’s vision by championing the strength, resilience and determination of Emirati women who will continue to define progress for generations to come.”
A highlight of this year’s event will be the graduation of the second cohort of the Emirati Women Chapter, launched in 2024 in collaboration with the General Women’s Union to empower Emirati women across sectors. Founded by five Emirati women leaders, the chapter nurtures growth through guidance, opportunity and mentorship.
PureHealth’s commitment to advancing Emirati women extends across multiple initiatives – from the Emirati Women Chapter to the Emirati Development Centre, which nurtures national talent through tailored training, mentorship and career-development programmes that prepare Emiratis to take on leadership roles across the group. Alongside a range of community partnerships that promote inclusion and leadership in healthcare, these initiatives reflect PureHealth’s continued investment in Emirati talent, creating opportunities for growth and empowering women to lead across every level of the organisation and the wider healthcare ecosystem.
Since its inception, the Remarkable Emirati Women initiative has evolved into a powerful national movement that amplifies the voices and ambitions of Emirati women, supporting their personal and professional growth while strengthening their contributions to society. The 2025 edition continues this vision – an inspiring testament to the enduring leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, and her dedication to empowering women as equal partners in the UAE’s progress and prosperity.
Source: .abudhabi
https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/en/community/under-the-patronage-of-sheikha-fatima-bint-mubarak-3rd-remarkable-emirati-women-event-to-take-place-in-abu-dhabi/
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Falling Barriers: Women firefighters blaze new paths in Pakistan
10 Nov 2025
Thick black smoke clawed at the sky over Karachi’s industrial zone last week as firefighter Syeda Masooma Zaidi raced toward a blazing storage facility filled with truck and car tyres. Flames leapt hungrily, black plumes twisting skyward. Heat shimmered off the asphalt, stinging her eyes and lungs. Zaidi, 23, didn’t hesitate — helmet strapped tight, hose in hand — as she and her all-male team battled the inferno. Hours later, the fire wasZaidi’s presence on the front lines is rare in Pakistan, where women firefighters were virtually unknown until 2024. Her work symbolises small but significant progress for women in the conservative, patriarchal nation. The first spark came in 2010, when Shazia Perveen became Pakistan’s inaugural woman firefighter in Punjab province, where she now trains recruits. In Sindh, where Karachi is the capital, women began joining firefighting services only last year after receiving training in Punjab. Women still make up less than 1% of Pakistan’s firefighting force, but officials ex ect more to enlist as cultural attitudes shift in the country of 255 million. Most professional Pakistani women traditionally pursue careers in medicine, engineering or teaching, Zaidi said. She wanted to prove “we can do this too.” 50 women firefighters in the province, with another 180 training as rescue divers, medics and emergency responders. “The focus is no longer on breaking taboos,” Shaikh said. “Now we see real results.” Zaidi trained at the Punjab Rescue Service Academy, where she mastered high-angle rescue techniques and fire control methods. The job remains gruelling and dangerous, but Zaidi says the scepticism she faces is often harder. “When we arrive, people say, ‘She’s a girl — how can she rescue anyone?’” she said. “Every time we save a life, we prove women can do this job.” supervisor, Ayesha Farooq, said that female firefighte when responding to incidents involving women and children. “By joining rescue services, they earn respect — for themselves and for the country,” Farooq said. Zaidi g ew up with seven brothers and one sister. Her motivation, she said, comes from courage, duty and faith. Despite lingering doubts from the public, she remains steadfast. “People still doubt us,” Zaidi said. “But every time we go out there, we keep proving them wrong.” As the smoke cleared over Karachi’s skyline, Zaidi and her crew returned to the station — exhausted but ready for the next call. Every day on the job, Zaidi, Taj and their fellow firefighters prove that in Pakistan, bravery has no gender.
Source: dtnext.in
https://www.dtnext.in/edit/falling-barriers-women-firefighters-blaze-new-paths-in-pakistan-852502
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