Emirati women have taken to the skies, says female police pilot Sheikha Mozah in Rio de Janeiro

“The UAE provides women with all the support they need to be successful and sees them as active partners in the country’s development journey. Today’s women in the UAE are leading in all fields thanks to leadership’s commitment to gender balance and empowerment of women status and take on roles that were once considered only for men. The support that women continue to receive in the UAE allows them to excel in different industries, including aviation,” said Sheikha Mozah.

She reiterated that skills are gender neutral and it takes passion, commitment and determination to excel in aviation. She reiterated her commitment to supporting more women in aviation, saying “the opportunity to fly a plane belongs to everyone, not limited to any particular gender”.

The Women in Tech LATAM Awards are the first in a series of regional awards organized by Women in Tech, an international nonprofit whose mission is to close the gender gap and help women embrace technology. Dubai will host the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Awards on 13 October at the iconic Museum of the Future, recognizing winners in eight categories.

Sheikha Mozah presented the Youth Award and Lifetime Achievement Award to the recipients in Rio de Janeiro.

“Being young is why I do what I do. I am motivated to help the next generation take on all the challenges and see it as a great opportunity to work hard, grow and reach your full potential,” she said.

Sheikha Mozah’s work with the women in tech world began in May, when she was invited to discuss her experience as a female pilot at the inaugural Women in Tech Summit in Paris. Her story resonates with women in tech around the world. The resulting collaboration benefits youth and the women’s tech mission of empowering women through technology.

On the sidelines of the event, Sheikha Mozah met with Cris Dos Prazeres, founder of VaiNa Web, a women’s tech project launched in Morro Dos Prazeres in Rio de Janeiro. The session discussed how technology and coding can create new youth opportunities.