Emirati women: Partners in nation building

Dubai - They have made significant strides in contributing to the UAE economy

She is brave, fierce, a go-getter and set to build a powerful nation for generations to come. Please welcome the Emirati woman of today. Emirati women are today equipped with education, strong vision and solid support from the country's leadership to lay the foundation for future generations. Emirati women entrepreneurs are driving growth in most key economic sectors as well as forming female cohorts to empower businesses in the nation.

"In just 46 years, remarkable progress has been made in strengthening female participation across the UAE and Emirati women are playing a vital role in the country's continued prosperity and success. Today, women are entering traditionally male-dominated sectors such as energy, space aviation, the military and judiciary, and taking on more leadership roles. Thanks to the support of our wise leadership, women currently represent almost 30 per cent of UAE Cabinet members. The UAE also became the first nation in the Arab world to elect a woman as the speaker of a national council in 2015," Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), said.

The UAE has been at the forefront to nurture talent, potential and skills and has given Emirati women a platform to empower themselves, both at an individual and macro level.

"In line with the vision of our nation's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the ongoing efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, and Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE has made significant strides in enhancing the influence of women across all sectors and their contribution to our society. Emirati women reflect the UAE's commitment to support women in developing their capabilities and pursuing their aspirations. I would encourage all Emirati women to continue growing, learning and innovating to pave the way for continued progress," said Saleh.

As the UAE implements the forward-looking vision of its government, the nation continues to introduce progressive legislation and policies to create a supportive work environment for women and unlock new opportunities for them to realise their full potential.

In 2012, the UAE became the first Arab nation to require female representation on boards of directors in the public and private sectors, and the second country worldwide following Norway. This was one of the objectives of the 'Women in Boards' initiative, which was launched by DWE to enhance female participation in decision-making and contribute to achieving the UAE's target of a 20 per cent female presence in corporate boardrooms of listed companies by 2020.

The Dubai Women Business Council has been a pioneer of growth and development and has witnessed 28.3 per cent growth in total membership during the first half of 2018.

Dr Raja Al Gurg, president of the Dubai Business Women Council, said: "Women in the UAE play important roles in various sectors including business and economy, thanks to government initiatives that encourage females to step forward and achieve their goals. The celebration of Emirati Women's day is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who actively supports equal opportunities for women in the country's development.

"Government initiatives have ensured several business opportunities for women. However, there is a need to create greater awareness within the community so that more women will take on leading roles in their chosen field of expertise. Today, 66 per cent of public sector employees are women, with 30 per cent in leadership positions and these numbers will definitely improve in the years to come."

Al Gurg added: "The Emirati Women's Day is a national occasion that honours every woman who has left a mark on the development and advancement of this country. We hope that Emirati women feel empowered by this day, where both our leadership and people celebrate their achievements. We are confident that Emirati women will continue to be a driving force in building a better and brighter future for this country."

To mark and celebrate Emirati Women's Day this year, Dubai Ladies Club will host an Open Day for all Emirati women. "This annual celebration reflects the trust and confidence bestowed by our wise leadership in Emirati women as partners in nation building. Our appreciation and gratitude for the efforts of Emirati women extend beyond this annual celebration, as we also hold open days for government employees throughout the year, inviting them to enjoy our services and facilities," informed Lamia Abdulaziz Khan, director of Dubai Ladies Club.

Similarly, the Sharjah Business Women Council has played a key role in empowering  women and currently has 1,515 members, including businesswomen, professionals, university students and graduates, representing 21 sectors spanning real estate, legal advice and education, among others. These figures demonstrate that women in the UAE are sufficiently represented in diverse sectors, including some of the non-traditional ones.

Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qassimi, acting chairperson, Sharjah Business Women Council, said: "Emirati Woman's Day represents a big milestone that has been added to the UAE's comprehensive list of developmental achievements. The celebration is a testimony to the UAE leadership's keenness to adopt a rigorous and all-inclusive approach to nurturing women's capacities, polishing their skills and celebrating their numerous achievements as influential members of society. The SBWC has launched a series of strategic projects and initiatives to ensure women equal opportunities in economy and society. The fruition of our efforts is reflected in women's increasing participation in numerous sectors, thanks to determination, will and great confidence of women entrepreneurs with incredible ideas."

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) supports and empowers entrepreneurs as they establish their business. Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, said: "Applications are currently open for our pre-seed and seed programmes, both of which will kick off in October. The pre-seed programme helps startups turn their ideas into fully-functional MVPs [minimal viable products]. The seed programme is aimed at early-stage startups who need support with growing and retaining their customer base."
All-women institutions are now a regular feature in the UAE, be it all-women cohorts or women-run banking units or contact centres.

Zainab Hussain Ahmed Ibrahim, unit head for Elham, corporate and institutional banking, National Bank of Fujairah, said: "In the UAE, women have become increasingly active in society and business, either by taking on leadership roles in companies or by running their own businesses. Over the past few years, we have been witnessing an unprecedented rise in Emirati female entrepreneurs who are leaving a positive mark on the local economy. This is testament to the UAE government's commitment to empowering women as well as creating an environment where business women can grow."

"This is a special year for Emirati Women's Day as it coincides with the Year of Zayed. The founding father wanted to make the UAE a model for women empowerment in the region. Also, Sheikh Zayed believed in investing in the welfare, knowledge and capabilities of people for society's betterment and growth. We partner with our Emirati female employees to alleviate barriers that stand in the way of their career growth and ensure they have the potential to climb up the career ladder," added Ibrahim.

Echoing similar sentiments, Sara Al Madani, board member, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "We give Emirati women the opportunity to be part of big tech projects, where they gain experience working alongside high profile tech engineers and designers from Disney, Universal Studios, etc. Each contribution is recognised and we ensure their names are mentioned alongside the entire team. This, in turn, gives their career a boost and is value added on their CV."

- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com