Robert Bosch promotes women empowerment
dubai — About 25 female university students felt inspired and empowered to pursue their dreams at a female empowerment session held at technology services firm Robert Bosch Middle East in Dafza.
The day at the Bosch offices served to encourage female students in finding a path that works for them whether they aspire to a corporate career, a life in academia or follow any creative path. Activities on the day included a panel discussion where women in management positions at the company shared their personal experiences and success stories to inspire the students and offer different perspectives on career choices.
A female empowerment session was also conducted with two external career coaches from The Pathway Project (TPP). The female-led Dubai-based creative coaching practice focuses on providing executive leadership and career development coaching for professionals, entrepreneurs, organisations and government entities to serve the professional development needs of emerging talent in the Middle East.
Simone Beretta, Head of HR at Robert Bosch Middle East, said, “According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2015, the UAE ranked third in the Mena region for gender equality, with a female workforce participation level of 47 per cent. We want to encourage this and help drive equality in our region.” Salma El Shurafa, founder and executive coach at TPP, who co-hosted the session on female empowerment in a corporate environment on the day, said: “It’s important to set goals. In our experience, the biggest hurdle that stands in the way of women when it comes to achieving their goals is selfdoubt, which can lead to a lack of confidence. No one really stands in our way other than ourselves, so we encourage women to take charge, listen to their gut instincts and step into what they believe with courage.”
Robert Bosch Middle East’s recruitment policy actively takes gender balance into account, and Bosch employees are given opportunities to balance their work and personal lives through flexible working hours, options to work from home, and a flexible day off.
To encourage women to continue their professional development after childbirth, Bosch offers 14 weeks’ maternity leave with full pay, as well as part-time options to work 75 per cent with full pay, or 50 percent with 66 percent pay, for 18 months after childbirth.
— saman@khaleejtimes.com