Women cannot have it all.... says Tala Badri

Tala Badri is quite the asset and pioneer to the UAE's music scene. As the founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Musical Arts (CMA) she has broken a lot of boundaries as an Emirati woman to introduce a local classical music scene to the country. Born and educated in Dubai, Tala studied music at Royal Holloway, University of London. Impressed? Well even more outstanding is that Tala is the first and only female Emirati music graduate. Her vision is to develop and enhance the existing musical community initially in Dubai through education, concerts and recitals.
What does being an Emirati woman mean to you? 
It is very hard to describe what it means to be an Emirati woman. It is part of who I am, and I have never really thought much about it. I have this heightened awareness and quiet confidence knowing where I belong though, and where I come from. Perhaps the best way to describe it is the feeling of being privileged and proud to come from a country that exudes vision, determination and openness.
What are some misconceptions about Emirati women? 
Disproving people's notions about the blatant stereotypes of the Middle East can be difficult and this is no different to when it comes to Emiratis, both men and women.
There is a gross misconception that just because you're an Emirati woman you don't have to work because we're all rich. We are spoilt and pampered with a penchant for handbags, shoes and make-up. 
Don't get me wrong, I love handbags, shoes and make-up but I am not rich and I have to work. But I also want to work! 
Emirati women make up over a third of the UAE's workforce. Emirati women are well travelled, highly educated and very capable members of society. 
Thirty-three per cent of leadership roles in the UAE are filled by Emirati women and the UAE has eight ministers in the government. We are very fortunate here in the UAE where women have a great deal of freedom and the government supports many initiatives that aim to widen the role of women in society and break down generations of entrenched gender roles.
What differences do you see between your mother's generation and your generation and possibly the future generation of Emirati women? 
The biggest differences are in the opportunities that exist between generations. The UAE was a very different place in my mother's generation. With the incredible vision of the royal families in the UAE, and its rapid growth, have come the opportunities for Emirati women to take part in society where it wasn't possible before. 
There is also a greater confidence in Emirati women moving forward to share ideas and take risks and I believe that this is also encouraging for future generations. 
What advice do you give to young women out there who want to make a difference and be successful in the UAE? 
You should do what you love because you'll wake every morning wanting to do it. And you'll want to do the work for it. Be driven and trust your gut instinct. Be brave.
"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? 
That is absolutely true. We all forge roads for others to take further. We all need that one other person to make a start, to take the risk, to break the glass ceiling.
Who is you biggest female icon in your personal life and someone from the public eye? 
Personally, as with many women I am sure, my drive to succeed, to be different, to pioneer, has come from my mother's encouragement as I was growing up. In terms of celebrity, I have the utmost respect and awe for Queen Rania of Jordan. (maan@khaleejtimes.com)
 
'You want to have a career and kids? You totally can, but both will suffer...' 
"What does it really mean to have it all anyway? A good job? A blossoming family? Everyone has a different opinion on what it means and I personally think women should not be forced to have the expectation that if they're not having it all, then somehow they're failing. 
"I personally have found it unexpectedly hard to do the kind of job I want to do running my own business and to be the kind of parent I want to be, at a demanding time for my children. The idea of perfectly balancing family duties and prioritising a career EQUALLY at the same time just doesn't work in practice - life rarely works out that way and I think it is both assumed and accepted that women in general would have to make compromises that men are far less likely to have to make.
"I really believe that women cannot have it all without sacrificing anything. Here's the truth: You want to have a career and kids? You totally can, but both will suffer. You will never feel like you are devoting enough time to either. You will never feel like you are good enough at either. You will never get time off (at least for the first several years). You will always be choosing between things that need your attention, and you will almost never choose yourself. You will be judged for nearly every move you make and you will never measure up to anyone else's expectations.
"But .. If you take it on board and can navigate the tides so to speak, if you have help with your children and a supportive family, understanding that there are times when one aspect needs more attention than the other, then you can most certainly EXPERIENCE it all."