Many people believe that Emirati women have it easy: Muna Easa Al Gurg

Muna Easa Al Gurg is a businesswoman and philanthropist. As the Director of Retail at Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC, and also being part of the board of directors of several companies and non-profit organisations, Muna understands the stereotyping Emirati women face and knows how to break through. 
As a Chairwoman of Young Arab Leaders, promoting education, entrepreneurship and youth development, she believes wholly in the potential of the next generation and has received several awards for her work including the Emirates Women's Award and the Arabian Business StartUp Award for Women in Business. 
We spoke to her on Emirati International Women's Day to get her thoughts on being a woman in the UAE.
What does being an Emirati woman mean to you? 
Strong, conscientious, focused and entrepreneurial in spirit is what I relate to. Emirati women always were the backbone of society; in the past they supported their husbands in the household, through small entrepreneurial projects such as stitching 'talli' that brought in a small form of income. Through massive government investment in education this has translated to women in this day and age who are lawyers, pilots and top businesswomen leading family businesses.
What are some misconceptions about Emirati women? 
Stereotypes can be dangerous. Many people believe that Emirati women have it easy. This maybe true for some, however, even the most accomplished women have faced challenges in balancing social and cultural values with career building. These women are very inspiring.
What differences do you see between your mother's generation and your generation and possibly the future generation of Emirati women? 
My mother's generation certainly had less opportunities and choices. The UAE was at its nascent development stage and if women did work they chose to be teachers. My generation has had tremendous opportunities in terms of career choices and my daughter's generation is seeing even further change with women fighter pilots and female engineers contributing to a male-dominated field. Cultural norms have changed from this perspective.
What advice do you give to young women out there who want to make a difference and be successful in the UAE? 
I've learned so much and am still learning every day. I always tell women who are thinking about starting a business that you have to have a unique idea that meets a need. You also have to be able to communicate that idea clearly. You may have the greatest idea in the world but you need other people to understand its potential and join you in bringing the concept to fruition. Also contributing to the greater good of society is something women need to always remember to do along the way.
"I always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success." what do you make of this quote from Gloria Vanderbilt? Who is the biggest female icon in your personal life and someone from the public eye? 
Over the past six months I have been inspired by the number of women excelling in their respective fields. We have women heading the following organisations in the UAE: Art Dubai, Ministry of Youth, Dubai Healthcare City, GE and the Zayed Future Energy Prize. I have been fortunate to work with these women and each in their own right is an icon.
Can women have it all? If yes, how? 
The simple answer is no. Something is bound to be sacrificed, however, women can come very close to having it all. From my experience the support of family is crucial to a woman having a career and excelling in it. I pose the question: can men have it all? (maan@khaleejtimes.com)