Women under the spotlight in the UAE

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Women under the spotlight in the UAE
Fadia Al Taweel

Women in leadership are no longer a taboo, and the UAE is constantly working to dispel some of the myths many have about women in the Arab world.

by

Kelly Clarke

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Published: Mon 7 Mar 2016, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 1 May 2020, 2:21 PM

Globally, women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement. Though progress towards gender parity has slowed in some parts of the world, the Arab world - in particular the UAE - has been championing the role of women more so than ever in the past few years.
Women in leadership are no longer a taboo, and the country is constantly working to dispel some of the myths many have about women in the Arab world. With much reason to celebrate on International Women's Day, Kelly Clarke talks to some of the region's most inspiring women who have made a difference in their community.
Labour of Love
Eleven years ago, mother of four, Saher Shaikh, landed in Dubai to start a new life with her young family. Mixing with all walks of life, she felt an overawing need to reach out to the UAE's hard working labourers.
Just one year after landing, she founded Adopt-A-Camp - a charity dedicated to enhancing the lives of labourers in the UAE.
Now ten years on, it currently works with 53 camps, and has more than 57,000 men under its wing.
On her first visit to one of the camps, Shaikh said she was taken aback by the kind nature of her hosts. But that same evening when she went back to her "perfect life and house", she couldn't stop thinking about the men who were living a life the complete opposite of her.
After several visits to different camps, Shaikh asked the men what they wanted most and many said they had a wish to "speak fluent English". Soon after, Shaikh set up Adopt-a-Camp to provide them with free English classes, free vocational classes, emotional counseling, hygiene workshops, social outings.
"These men were willing to study on the concrete floors of their accommodation in 50 degree heat," she said.
Shaikh's small gesture of kindness now sees countless volunteers working for free, every Friday, during the 12-week educational programmes.
In 2015, she created the Saher-IBM Scholarship Fund with the $10,000 she was awarded after winning the Kraft-Philadelphia 'Most Inspiring Woman in the Gulf' award.Since then 21 labourers have graduated from the programme, organised in partnership with the AIA society and professors of American University of Dubai.
Overcoming prejudice
At 18, Al Taweel was a young mother with a dream to work in media. In her words: "I started from zero and got to where I am today with hard work."
Originally from Jordan, she said she faced "a lot of judgement from society and family members" as they did not want her to become a recognised media personality.
"As an Arab woman back then it was not the norm. But I challenged them and I began working for a very small wage."
Years later, after overcoming the initial battle of prejudice, she was left facing another big battle.
"I got breast cancer. Then three years later I was diagnosed with lung cancer which spread to practically every organ except my brain, kidneys and cervix."
But the diagnoses didn't gain her any sympathy, instead it just reignited the earlier criticism she received for wanting to go out and work.
"People told me, 'no one will want to employ you on screen because you have had cancer. You will be rejected'. But I ignored them and I got work."
And it was that wall of doubt from others which made her stronger.
Al Taweel went on to become a successful TV presenter in Saudi Arabia before moving to Dubai to present a show on MBC, all while juggling the role of Ambassador for the 10KSA programme, which focuses on breast cancer awareness.
Now the Campaign Ambassador for 'Philadelphia's Creativity for a Cause' initiative, Al Taweel wants her story to inspire others.
"I want the campaign to represent the battle of working your way up from the bottom to the top. It acts as a great source of empowerment for women," she said.
Be creative to inspire community
Visual artist, Hadeel Al Hussain, wants her creativity to empower women - especially women in the Arab world who still feel oppressed by their society.
""I think my story will encourage others to not let archaic mindsets stop them in their tracks."
During her life, as a woman living in Saudi Arabia, Al Hussain tells Khaleej Times she has faced "a lot of problems".
"I felt like because I was a woman I was limited in what I could do. In a way I had to remain reserved, because if I didn't I would have been judged."
But after turning her hobby of painting and drawing into a career, Al Hussain now exhibits her work all over the world and is living proof that fear of others' opinion will only limit how successful you can be.
"I live in Denmark now but I will never forget my roots and I will never stop fighting for the empowerment of Arab women. It's important to never stop fighting for what you deserve."
Speaking on International Women's Day, Al Hussain said she thinks every day should be "women's day" and though she has fought for what she wants in life, she still faces some challenges.
"Even now I don't always feel free. I have to protect myself and watch what I say sometimes but I want my creativity to help others be creative and make a different in their community."
Talking about her passion for drawing, Al Hussain said: "I have been passionate about art for as long as I can remember. My work revolves around portrait and abstract art. I am always on the run but I make sure my sketchbook is close at hand at all times."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

Saher Shaikh
Saher Shaikh

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