Every March 8, the world recognises International Women’s Day. It is a day of reflection, celebration, and hope. It’s a chance to highlight the UAE’s plethora of inspirational women on the global stage. To encourage every woman to remember that there is no limit to their dreams, goals, or ambitions. This year, International Women’s Day is the perfect platform to shed light on how the UAE is empowering women across all fields to provide the support they need to thrive in their careers.
I am inspired by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Nahyan, Mother of the Nation, who has been playing a major role in supporting women living across the UAE: “Development in its true sense means moving society forward through productivity and equitable distribution. To achieve this, equality must be assured … And, with all pride, I say that equality today is guaranteed for women in the UAE.”
With support from the highest level, this International Women’s Day enables us to appreciate the remarkable achievements and hard work of women across the country, who make our nation proud every day.
I have been fortunate to work in the UAE in various sectors including banking, real estate, investment, government and in each sector, there were women in leadership positions. I have proudly seen how the UAE is constantly evolving and pioneering new laws to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion. If we simply review the demographics of the UAE’s population, we have people from over 200 nations living in one country.
To prevent inequality, the UAE has introduced and embraced a plethora of laws that protect people from discrimination in the labour market, enabling a level playing field for women to thrive. As a result of mutual co-existence in the workplace, the UAE has retained, developed, and attracted diverse talent from all over the world.
From my personal experience, I have been given incredible opportunities within my field whilst working in the UAE. During my time at Miral, I have been proud to work on the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Abu Dhabi, a first-of-its-kind dedicated marine science research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre in the region, which recently opened its doors in the capital’s Yas Island.
What I admire about Miral is how the leadership not only invests and values all its employees but its unique approach to constant progression. We are not only given the freedom to dream here, but we are actively encouraged to own our personal development. Women make 35 percent of our workforce and I believe this will continue to grow.
Another source of motivation is the trail-blazing women in the UAE such as female ministers, entrepreneurs, and CEOs. Last year, Emirati pilot Aisha Al Mansoori made UAE aviation history after earning her stripes as the country’s first female commercial captain. Not only are the doors truly open for women in the UAE but we are given opportunities based purely on our skillset – for example, Dr. Mona Khashwani from Sharjah’s Al Qassimi Women and Children’s Hospital was the first Emirati physician to perform the first robotic surgery using the advanced Da Vinci system.
When I am asked what advice that I would give to female graduates joining the workforce, my only recommendation is to forget about your gender and focus on your strengths, capabilities, and assets. Don’t let anything hold you back from achieving what you set your mind to. As a woman raising a woman, it is important for me to instil this same sense of determination and belief in my daughter. She is just a few years away from starting University and when she asks me what to major in or which sector has good future in UAE, I tell her you can be anything you can dream of.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #Embrace Equity and I think what I admire about my company is that it appreciates that equity in the sense that men and women are equal but different. For example, our company is working on making the process for working mums to return after giving birth more seamless.
Having worked in the UAE for the last eighteen years I am so proud of how it has become a beacon of hope for women looking to progress in their careers. The UAE has a literacy rate of 95.8 percent and around 70 percent of all graduates are female. In the national workforce, women make up 66 percent of the public sector workers with 30 percent in leadership roles. I think there is always progress to be made but I firmly believe that the UAE is one of the most supportive countries for women to work and I look forward to seeing what more all the wonderful women around me will achieve in the upcoming year.
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