![Hamda holds award standing in front of her Special Olympics MENA games portrait photo.](https://dotorg.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2304eb5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/800x450+0+0/resize/800x450!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoi-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdotorg%2Fef%2F03%2F8f741df6479ca14ebc1e0ffdc238%2F800x450-hamda-with-her-shield.jpg)
![Hamda Al Hosani, poses looking at the camera, wearing Special Olympics apparel, a black Hijab and with many gold medals around her neck.](https://dotorg.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c200ae7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/800x1092+0+0/resize/800x1092!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsoi-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdotorg%2F49%2Ff2%2F10ed3615466c96ff581c9bf4dc7a%2Fgold-hamda-al-hosani.jpg)
The Arab Woman Awards, founded in 2009, celebrate the hard work, dedication, and initiative of powerful, influential, females at every opportunity. The Arab Woman Awards 2021 held its 12th annual ceremony in partnership with United Nations Women to celebrate inspirational female role models across the region.
This year, Hamda Al Hosani, Special Olympics United Arab Emirates sprinter, was recognized for her achievements in Sports by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and ITP Media Group in partnership with United Nations Women. Hamda has more than 18 Special Olympics medals, holds an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University, and now joins a power-packed circle of additional prestigious Arab Woman Award recipients including the United Arab Emirates Minister of Community Development Huda Kattan and her sister, beauty entrepreneur and personality, Mona Kattan.
“I believe in the power of Special Olympics MENA female athletes to lead our movement. True inclusion can only exist when female sportswomen are empowered to conquer all odds and own a level playing field. Hamda represents the roaring voice of the rising inclusion revolution, one that does not differentiate extraordinary talent based on gender. In MENA, we look up to our female athletes to pave the pathway for many younger female athletes to rise, flourish and succeed. I wish Hamda a truly heartfelt congratulations on her well-deserved achievement on behalf of our region. With news of such groundbreaking accomplishments in the region, as a father to four daughters myself, I feel proud that Special Olympics MENA is building truly influential role models for young girls to look up to."
The winners and guests were invited to an exclusive ceremony at the annual Harper’s Bazaar World of Fashion event at the Mall of the Emirates Dubai United Arab Emirates.