60 women participate in the 120km Women's Heritage Walk from Abu Dhabi

A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink. Now, multiple one strong woman by sixty and you’ve got a force to be reckoned with. Sixty incredible women from 24 nationalities hiked a 120 km journey from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, the sixth Women’s Heritage Walk (WHW) saw the “Sand Sisters” embark on a journey that was taken by the desert-living tribes of who resided in the countries.

In his speech, Sheikh Nahyan reflected on the essence of the Walk. “For me, as the Minister of Tolerance, this walk embodies the very best of human fraternity. This journey has led all participants to meet a great number of wonderful people. It has enabled all of you to know one another at a deeper level. You have overcome challenges together. Walking together, in conversation and in silence, motivating and encouraging one another, you have built a strong and diverse community of women. That community is an inspiration to all of us.”

“This experience is something that you’ll always remember, as you really become a team with your fellow Walkers. I did the Walk because I’m moving from the UAE, and I thought it was fantastic to have the opportunity before I left to engage with the culture and heritage of the UAE, learning firsthand how the Bedouins lived,” said Swedish participant Eva Hallberg, 59, who completed the Walk this year.