The Nafis programme is cementing its position as a cornerstone of Emirati women's professional advancement, delivering targeted training, career support and expanded financial benefits that are reshaping workforce participation across the UAE's private sector.
Through specialised leadership development and sustained mentorship, Nafis has helped open doors for Emirati women in fields ranging from corporate management to healthcare. The programme's impact is perhaps best reflected in the careers it has helped transform.
Dr Fatima AlNaqbi, Group Assistant Vice President of Organisation Development at Aldar, called her participation in the Nafis Leadership Programme a turning point. She credited it with connecting her private sector experience to the UAE's broader strategic goals and sharpening her leadership outlook through engagement with both Emirati and international executives.
Dr Aysha Almentheri, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at Burjeel Holdings, pointed to the private sector's role in enabling knowledge exchange and community contribution, particularly in healthcare. She noted that the visible presence of Emirati professionals in these environments encourages more nationals to pursue private sector careers.
Afra AlShamsi, Client Experience Officer at Mediclinic Middle East and a Nafis Award first-place recipient, attributed her growth to the programme's support since 2017, adding that real professional development demands practical experience alongside academic credentials.
The programme's reach is set to grow significantly following its extension to 2040. Recent reforms include removing the cap on children eligible for the monthly AED 600 allowance, previously capped at four, introducing salary support for children of Emirati women and wives of Emirati citizens in the private sector, and unifying the minimum salary threshold for eligibility at AED 6,000 per month. A salary support ceiling of AED 20,000 has also been established, with updated mechanisms taking effect from September 2026.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
