"When I was sworn in before His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, I felt very proud, especially since it has proved how much our wise leaders trust women and support their empowerment. I thank President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaikh Mohammad who have always empowered women."

"I feel honoured to be the first woman to be appointed as a judge in Dubai courts." Born in 1982, Ebtisam holds a masters degree in special law, which she earned at the Dubai Police Academy.

She was previously working as a legal researcher at the Ministry of Education.

Ebtisam said women are as capable as men and can serve the judicial sector well. It was in March 2008 that Kholoud Ahmad Jua'an Al Daheri was appointed the UAE's first female judge.

Judge Mohammad Yousuf, Deputy Director of Dubai Courts, confirmed the appointment of Ebtisam and four male judges. The four men are Salem Al Qaedi, Ayoub Ali Ahli, Mohammad Al Raisi and Ahmad Abdul Wahad Al Ali.

Shaikh Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammad have always striven to empower women. In December 2006, Dr Amal Al Qubaisi became the first woman to be elected to the Federal National Council.

Eight women were also appointed to the council. Then in February 2008 the number of female ministers in the Cabinet was increased from two to four.