Emirateyat 2.0 Review

By
Ayesha AlJanahi
 – March 20, 2011

Emiratweet celebrated the International Women Day in its second Emirateyat event with three inspiring women, Hala Kazim, Muna Al Gurg and Iman ben Chaibah to share their experiences with the Emirati women. Emirateyat highlights the Emirati women achievements, success and honor the Emirati women past, present and future. Speakers were asked to get involved in an enlightening discussion about the given support from the family and culture, how being ambitious makes a difference in the business life, challenges and faced obstacles in the workforce, leader traits, word of advice, power of social media and their role model. The country has opened doors to Emirati women encouraging them to work in all fields, allow them to realize their potential talent and capacity. Therefore they were able to choose the profession that suits their nature. According to the discussion topic of how culture, tradition and family support the Emirati women, Iman expressed that any person should take the advice from someone who has been there, done that and succeeded in it. Then she stated that everything she reached is because she demanded for, which means every woman has to have the passion and desire in order to succeed and reach her goal. In 1980s it was rare to find a woman working in a public place whereas now offices are full of working women. Quietly, women become active partners in all fields and society welcomes that and accepted the role they play?. On the discussion topic of what are the challenges and opportunities women encountered in the workforce and as business owners, Hala expressed that ?you do face challenges, you will face people who believe in you and people who don?t, and definitely every woman do face challenges. You have to believe in your passion and believe in it. No matter what people say. You find challenges in everything you do but you have to believe and feel your way and your passion to be able to go on?. Muna said in every situation you will find someone who would not be supportive. Be passionate and at the same time focus on your goal?. She also added that ambition is an important thing to have but she doesn?t believe that a workforce? is for every woman. Some women prefer staying home and that is okay. Then she appointed that some of the cahllegnes women face are lack of support system and networking opportunites. Iman ended the part by saying that opportunities are there for everyone, its up to the women to step out nad grab it. Regarding the obstacles women might face in a workplace, Muna said that the Lack of support services is one of the hinders of a working woman. We need to start with having women role models who would go to schools and mentor the younger generations. We need a lot more support fore women in the UAE?. Hala expressed beautifully anything you do will go somewhere. If you can change one person life from the hundred you meet then you are a winner. With a discussion of the traits of a leader, Hala said that a leader should know the different between a leader and a boss. You guide people this is a leadership. Then Iman highlighted that the characteristics of a leader are having a clear vision and communication skills. She also added that to be a leader, you need to have a vision, otherwise you don?t know were your going and your stuck in one place. Muna cleared that passion, dedicates, drive differentiates a leader from a non leader. Vibrant interactive talk on women?s issues, thank you for organizing it, Muna Al Gurg said.