In an attempt to conserve their cultural and religious traditions, many Middle East countries have attempted to restrict the role of the female in the work environment. In the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) there has been an evident growth in the females' leadership and an increase in their progress over time. In the UAE and the Middle Eastern Region, the society is recognized as a patriarchal culture, with the male being the leader by default in both the family in business world. The purpose of this exploratory study is to better understand the role of the female and its progress in the UAE by reviewing research trends which signify the progress and challenges females face in this country as they progress on an upward leadership track. This research will demonstrate the sustained efforts and progress of the UAE females to overcome cultural barriers that hinder female leadership development based on religion, traditional cultural beliefs, and identify what future developments are needed for increased future leadership opportunities.