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Women in UAE have broken glass ceiling

DUBAI — Patient but determined, gentle but strong, irrepressible, unstoppable and indomitable, aptly summed up Careers Unlimited: An Exposition’s tribute to womanhood on the second day of the exhibition held at the Shaikh Rashid Auditorium of Indian High School yesterday.

Successful businesswomen of the UAE briefed attendees on their climb up the ladder of success at the exposition which is a joint venture of the Dubai Education District and the Indian High School.

On the strides made by the UAE women, Dr Maryam Salem Bayshak, Assistant Dean for Students Affairs, UAE University, said: “The women in the UAE have been lucky enough to enjoy many privileges that enable them to participate in the development of the society.”

“The women in the UAE have marched a long way to assert themselves more confidently in all sectors of society. They have access to previously unattainable positions. Indeed, we are visualising more and more women, venturing what traditionally use to be male-dominated domains,” she said, adding: “The Arabic/Islamic society is well prepared conceptually in reality that women are the most important resource of development in community building. However, this conception is either misconceived or stereo-typically interpreted.”

Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group of Companies, said: “For last three decades, I have been performing the role of a teacher, mother and a businesswoman. It has been a challenging but glorious period of my life. And only my perseverance, dedication, determination and hard work enabled me to endure tremendous years of enormous hurdles and spontaneous decisions, which have made me the person I am today.”

“I had to maintain a balance between my family needs and my work. If I felt that my job would affect my family life, I would have left my job a long time back because I believe there is no point of being successful in the professional life if I’m a failure in my family life,” she said and asked students to utilise talents and resources to achieve beyond the horizon and become leaders of tomorrow.

“Leadership does not come easily, it is hard work and experience over the years,” she said.

Dr Zulekha Daud of Sharjah's Zulekha Hospital also outlined her struggle in her presentation on ‘Giving wings to your dreams’. She spoke of her success in the field of medicine, early years, her dreams, her success and her philosophy. She also advised the children on their choice of being a doctor and briefed them about the educational avenues, the specialisations and the career opportunities.

“Achievement is possible if you have the talent and the ability,” she said.

Gloria Estolano, a successful lawyer, briefed students on successfully studying law. “One should select a major that will give you a broad education yet where you will learn to research, write and think critically,” she said.

For those aiming for a career in shipping and logistics, Poonam Dutta of Mersk Shipping UAE, LLC, said: “It is important to plan and choose a career that you love to do, but do everything with perservance.”

• UAE