Dr. Rafia Ghubash: The Distinguished Psychiatrist Preserving the Memory of Emirati Women

Dr. Rafia Ghubash

In every society, there are individuals who shape the future not only through their professional achievements but also through their commitment to preserving the stories, experiences, and voices of those who came before them. In the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Rafia Ghubash stands among these remarkable figures.

A distinguished psychiatrist, academic, author, and cultural advocate, Dr. Ghubash has dedicated her life to advancing mental health awareness, promoting women's contributions to society, and safeguarding the cultural heritage of the UAE. Her work bridges science, education, literature, and social history, creating a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the boundaries of any single discipline.

Born in Dubai, Dr. Ghubash pursued her medical education with a focus on psychiatry at a time when few women in the region entered the field. Throughout her career, she has been a pioneer in mental health care in the UAE, contributing significantly to the development of psychiatric services and public awareness of psychological well-being. She served as the founding president of the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain and held numerous leadership roles in academic and healthcare institutions across the region.

Dr. Rafia takes a strong interest in the education of Arab women, receiving an award for Middle East Women's Educational Achievement in 2002. In 2012, she opened Women’s Museum Dubai to display and honour the achievements of women in the UAE in various fields. She served as a judge for the Arab Women Award in 2017 and was nominated to become a councilor for the World Future Council which she became in 2006.

Alongside her medical and academic achievements, Dr. Ghubash has consistently emphasized the importance of documenting women's experiences as an essential part of understanding the history of the Emirates. She has authored and edited several books exploring the social history of Emirati women, family life, and cultural identity, helping to preserve narratives that have often remained outside traditional historical records.

This commitment led to one of her most influential initiatives: the establishment of the Women's Museum – Bait Al Banat (House of Women) in Dubai in 2012. Located in the historic Deira district, the museum was created to document, celebrate, and share the contributions of Emirati women across generations. Through exhibitions, archives, publications, and educational programs, the museum highlights women's roles in education, literature, business, politics, and the arts.

Among its most significant spaces is the Diwan Ousha bint Khalifa Room, dedicated to the life and work of the celebrated Emirati poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, known as Fatat Al Arab (The Girl of the Arabs). Through manuscripts, photographs, personal objects, and audiovisual installations, the museum introduces visitors to Ousha's literary legacy and her enduring influence on Emirati culture.

Dr. Ghubash has also played a central role in preserving and documenting Ousha's work through research and publications, ensuring that future generations can engage with one of the Gulf's most important poetic voices. Her efforts have contributed to a growing recognition of women's literary heritage within the broader narrative of Emirati history.

The story of Dr. Rafia Ghubash is, ultimately, a story about cultural stewardship. By bringing together scholarship, healthcare, education, and heritage preservation, she has transformed the way Emirati women's contributions are recorded and remembered.

At a time when societies around the world are re-examining whose stories are preserved and whose voices are heard, Dr. Ghubash's work serves as a powerful reminder that cultural memory is not merely inherited—it is carefully built, protected, and passed on to future generations.