WOMEN ARE HERE TO ASCEND NEW HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS
dubai — Emirati women have set a precedence globally that they ‘walk the talk’, equipped with entrepreneurial skills the women have made foray into the UAE cabinet; holding high positions in board rooms; acquired family businesses; set up their own businesses and more — holding on the mantle to pave the way for future generation where the economic growth and development is the top priority.
The UAE government closely follows the global theme of #BeBoldForChange set for this year on International Women’s Day and it is evident when names like Jukha Shater Ali Al Badawi, laboratory and radiology manager, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital; Maitha Al Dossari, chief executive officer, Emaar Entertainment; Dr Dalya Al Muthanna, president & CEO, GE Gulf; Shamma Al Rahmah, head of strategic planning & portfolio management, group strategy and new business development, Enoc Group and Mona Al Tamimi, vice-president - marketing & corporate communications, Deyaar, stress that the Emirati women are here to scale heights of success with all the support from the country’s leadership.
“We have been fortunate to have been given equal opportunities and access to resources that undoubtedly helped in promoting the role of women as contributors and drivers of positive change,” said Shamma Al Rahmah of Enoc Group.
Almost 23,000 Emirati businesswomen run projects worth over Dh50 billion, and occupy 15 per cent of the positions in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry nationwide. So how is all this possible? According to Mona Al Tamimi, “Bring your best self to the workplace and find your own way to add value to your community. Empower other women, be they Emirati or other.”
The vice-president of Deyaar said: “If you look at the Mena region, the UAE is at the forefront of gender equality. In fact, the UAE Cabinet has eight positions filled by women and also has the highest number of women on the Forbes Middle East list of the ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen 2017 with 18, followed closely by Egypt with 16. Every day, with the support of the UAE leadership, we get closer and closer to reducing the gender gap.” Celebrate your success Maitha Al Dossari, Emaar Entertainment CEO, said: “As a nation, we need everyone to work hand-inhand to ensure that women continue the current trajectory of success, which the Government of UAE and our pioneering leaders have helped made possible.”
Meanwhile, Al Badawi of Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital spread a message of support and encouragement at KidZania® Dubai, by interacting with the younger generation so that they can continue to strive for success. “My message to my Emirati sisters is that the leadership of UAE has provided innumerable platforms for women to demonstrate their abilities and it is up to us women to make the most of the avenues available to us.”
Dr Dalya Al Muthanna of GE Gulf remarked that the Emirati Women’s Day is a celebration of the achievements of women in the country, and an inspiration for our new and future generation of women to achieve even more remarkable accomplishments that will add to the pride of our country. The UAE is among the first nations in the region to have successfully broke through the glass ceiling with women leaders today in government and all sectors of business including in technical careers. She said: “The enabling and inclusive environment of the UAE, led by the vision of its leaders, has played a central role in building a highly educated and skilled women workforc. Emirati women continue to excel in all walks of life — from arts and sports to business and governance — and they also play a key role in boosting small and medium entrepreneurship. The creative thinking and innovative approaches of modern tech-savvy Emirati women support the UAE’s journey to achieving its Vision 2021 to be among the best nations in the world.”
Women must also celebrate their own achievements and successes, and lay out a roadmap for the future generation through their inspiring and empowering stories of success.” Maitha Al Dossari, CEO, Emaar Entertainment