Abu Dhabi's hidden gem: Women's Handicraft Centre
At Other Box, we've always advocated for supporting women, particularly female creatives and entrepreneurs, through words and action. Economic empowerment is a core part of that. Because when women have financial autonomy, the ripple effects are undeniable: freedom, security, choice, and generational change. Whether through fair pay, access to opportunities, or platforms to sell their work, supporting women to earn and support themselves is the foundation of any equitable system.
I visited the Women's Handicraft Centre during my recent work trip to Abu Dhabi. This small creative hub, managed by the Abu Dhabi Women's Association, is a unique space that celebrates female artistry and entrepreneurship while preserving traditional Emirati crafts.
What makes the Centre even more special is its legacy. It operates under the General Women's Union, established on 27th August 1975 under the chairmanship of H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. As the national mechanism for women's empowerment and leadership in the UAE, the General Women's Union has been driving efforts to support and advance women's roles across the country for decades. Not only preserving traditional crafts but also amplifying women's contributions at local, regional, and international levels. The Women's Handicraft Centre is just one example of this mission in action, creating space for women to sustain cultural heritage while building financial independence.
Inside the Centre, you'll find a collection of round huts and rooms dedicated to specific crafts, each marked with a sign outside. Once inside, you'll find women quietly working on everything from palm weaving and tailoring to talli work (intricate embroidery with silver and gold thread) and saddu weaving, which is listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The variety of crafts on display is a testament to the UAE's rich cultural heritage and the women artisans' skill and dedication.
These are skills passed down through generations, practices that not only preserve cultural identity but also create livelihoods. We were told that the women come here to keep their craft alive. In doing so, they also build financial independence. It's a reminder that creativity, community, and commerce can go hand in hand.
The Centre itself is small and can be toured in under 30 minutes. It's open during specific opening hours (so double-check before planning to go!), and there's a modest museum and a shop where you can purchase handmade pieces directly from the artists. (Tip: bring cash.) I wondered how many spaces like this exist quietly worldwide, where women gather to create, preserve traditions, and earn to support themselves.
I highly recommend stopping by if you ever find yourself in Abu Dhabi.
Here are a couple of helpful tips:
Don't follow Google Maps directions to the "Women's Handicraft Centre" — instead, search for General Women's Union to get to the correct entrance.
Remove your shoes before entering each workshop, and ask before taking photos.
Buy something if you can (cash only!)
For me, spaces like the Women's Handicraft Centre are a living, breathing example of why we keep pushing for systemic change in every industry. Because women's work, in all forms, deserves recognition, respect, and reward. And the more we support women financially, the more we all thrive.
