Heba Al Samt
Co-Founder of the UAE’s first online Majlis At the young age of 27, she along with her co-founders, Hanan Huwair and Ayesha AlJanahi, are creating a community that brings together Emiratis to share, engage, and exchange ideas and thoughts. She understands the powerful tool of social media to reach the young people in the community working to create positive, equitable and sustainable change. Some of the areas of focus include: Breaking down stereotypes Fostering dialogue within the UAE Creating connections and dialogue between Emiratis, ex-pats and people globally Harness the powerful... Read MoreThe Future of Women Leaders in the Middle East
A number of high-profile women are chipping at the “cement ceiling” in the Gulf countries and making it possible for others to do the same. When Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi stepped into a role as head of IT strategy for transport services company Dubai Ports World, she was an anomaly in many ways. She was an engineer working on a complex, technical initiative that required a great deal of interaction with the members of the C-suite; a local from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) working with a large number of expatriates; and a female executive in the male-dominated maritime industry. “I was...
Read MoreThe progression of women in GCC countries: The road to empowerment
Their expanding presence in the labor market is indicative of the changes taking place in the region Although the journey along the road to the empowerment of women in the Gulf region has sometimes been slow, it is now surely under way, through forward steps of positive reforms, as more female voices are being heard. These voices reflect the motivation, determination and ambition of all those women who are striving to become active members in society and in building their country. Today, women in the GCC region are taking on increasingly prominent roles, becoming decision-makers,...
Read MoreInterview with Hala Kazim
By: Farrah Alshash One of the most interesting and inspiring moments of my life occurred on this September day, when I got to sit and get to know Hala Kazim, “aka mama Hala”, the founder of “Journey Through Change”. You can read about people all the time, but when you get to meet and know the person first hand, it’s different. It can be a hit or miss. Meeting with Kazim was like taking a breath of fresh air on a beautiful spring morning. I couldn’t help but feel motivated, inspired, and full of positive energy during our intimate lunch.Hala Kazim, an Emirati lady, mother...
Read MoreSaudi women meet to discuss empowerment by Fouzia Khan
“Saudi Women of Tomorrow,” Forum held under the patronage and sponsorship of Princess Seeta Bint Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, with the participation of thousands of Saudi women. The forum held at Dar Al-Hekma started with a meeting “Change Up Your Life,” which shared the vision and experience of nine Saudi experts and successful women who discussed the empowerment of women and their role in the Kingdom’s development. They encouraged women to participate in the national development plan and raised awareness of women in the Kingdom who are cultural and intellectual leaders. Lama Al-...
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