UAE IS THE BEST COUNTRY FOR WOMEN TO WORK AND LIVE
CITIZENS AND EXPATRIATE WOMEN TAKE PRIDE IN NATION’S GENDER EQUALITY STEPS
We congratulate the Emirati girl on her scientific, economic and social achievements. We congratulate the mother of the Emirates for her support that has produced and enriched stories that we are proud of.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
We celebrate the remarkable abilities and achievements of women. This past year the pandemic has further demonstrated how women’s strength courage and leadership are integral to safeguarding the present and future of the UAE.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan | Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces
The UAE is a place where women can grow in their personal lives and careers without any hurdles as the emirates promotes gender equality, say women expats of the country working in top positions, on International Women’s Day today.
“Strong gender equality imperatives have enabled us to attract, retain and empower the best mix of talent, ensuring that our female team members achieve their potential and contribute fully, for them and for us, right here in the UAE. As a woman, I feel lucky to live in the UAE as the country does much to promote women in work culture. There are no challenges as women to find jobs. It is equal. It all comes down to your own achievement and merit,” said Layal Saad, Senior Director of Human Resources at Procter & Gamble.
As a woman, I feel lucky to live in the UAE as the country does much to promote women in work culture.”
Layal Saad | Senior Director of HR at Procter & Gamble
Region’s priorities
“In fact Procter & Gamble is supporting to ensure that we move the issue of gender to the top of the region’s priorities in 2021 and beyond. Our recently concluded #WeSeeEqual Summit brought together leading voices on gender equality to challenge the current discourse and commit to the actions needed for progress,” she said.
Aissata Sada Wane, CFO, Schneider Electric, Gulf region, said she has never felt neglected or excluded for a job just because she is a woman.
“The UAE is a melting pot and a country that respects women living in the Emirates.”
“I think back in the days of my older female relatives there were quite a few challenges. We have most certainly made progress since. Going forward, we need to strive to achieve parity around issues such as opportunity and remuneration. And that’s what we all have to keep pushing for.”
Emirati Khadija Khalifa, senior director of commercial & sponsorship, Global Village said: “I applaud the achievements of women across the UAE and beyond. Here in Global Village, we have a deeprooted belief in diversity and a mission to bring extraordinary people from around the globe to redefine how we experience culture. As an Emirati woman, I am extremely proud and honoured to play my part in the increasingly inclusive society we are building in the UAE.”
Jana Gutierrez Kardum, Senior HR Manager for Central Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Red Hat said: “UAE’s great diverse pool of talent has enabled us to grow the proportion of women in our UAE office by more than 40 per cent — a result that gives us courage to continue and expand our programmes focused on women.”
Challenging times
Maya El Hachem, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group, said she would like to take the opportunity of IWD to salute women in different work sectors and applaud their efforts and hard work in the UAE.
“This year, IWD arrives at a challenging time for most women everywhere, whether as scientists working towards a vaccine, nurses and doctors on the front lines, or mothers and professionals trying to balance responsibilities under a new set of circumstances. IWD is a good moment to reflect on the challenges women face and consider the effect of Covid-19 crisis on the progress we have made on gender equality.
“According to the UN, without any intervention, the progress could be set back decades. Globally, women are more likely to work in sectors that were hit the hardest by the crisis,” she said.
Hanan Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs and Assurance (Acting) at EITC and Chairwoman of du’s Gender Balance Council, said: “Leading by example and setting new standards in support of diversity are commitments that du considers top most priority. As such, these have enabled us to drive and maintain positive changes across the organisation, by driving equal opportunities, promoting women in Leadership roles, fostering talents & next generation of female leaders specially in STEM roles. ”