Emirati women to take up Antarctica challenge

Five Emirati women Alia Al Khafajy, Anna Ayoub, Oshba Mubarak, Khadijah Al Muttawa and Yasmin Al Juwadri announced their participation in the 2041 International Antarctica Expedition to promote environmental awareness. The 2041 International Antarctica Expedition aims to highlight the effects of global warming and ensure the continued protection of Antarctica from mining and exploitation beyond 2041, when current international agreements over the continent end.

“We would like to show the world that UAE women can do whatever their counterparts in the rest of the world are able to do,” Khadijah Al Muttawa, an anti-money laundering officer with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD)”

Khadijah and four colleagues — Alia Al Khafajy, Anna Ayoub, Oshba Mubarak and Yasmin Al Juwadri — will join the expedition titled 2041 International Antarctica Expedition from February 27 to March 12 this year. The five women are being sponsored by their employer, NBAD, for the expedition, which will be led by polar explorer and environmentalist Robert Swan. The five UAE women will first travel to Ushuaia in Terra Del Fuego, southern Argentina, along with 65 fellow explorers, where they will be trained for their expedition. Preparations will include activities such as trekking and hiking.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Alia, an associate banker. Anna, a branch manager, said the expedition would help her “break away from material life, hear my hear beat [and] reconnect with nature”.

The women have all been found fit for the trip after medical tests and have received training in presentation skills, media, sustainability and team building