The 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 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-...
Read MoreSaudi Women embrace feminism on their own terms by Rob Wagner
“Perhaps one of the most significant developments emerging from the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions is the growing Arab women’s rights movement that has spread to the anti-government demonstrations in Bahrain and Yemen. Absent, however, from the chorus of women’s voices demanding equity in the workplace, freedom to travel and a role in government are Saudis, who have done little to join their Arab sisters to create a feminist movement. In fact, no such organized movement exists in Saudi Arabia. “I don’t see signs of a feminist movement,” says Isobel Coleman, a senior fellow...
Read MoreGCC Women’s Games by Stephanie Dahle
“It could be easy to dismiss an event like this as mere competition, but these games are more important than that. Of course, it was a great training run for athletes who aim to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. But it also came as a stark reminder that amid protests and civil unrest in the region, these women were honoring their countries, their beliefs and themselves with their hard work and perseverance within their sport.” Source: Forbes.com
Read MoreSaudi Arabia: Saudi Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Gains International Awareness
It is with pleasure to inform American Bedu readers that the Saudi Arabia Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was chosen as the best media awareness campaign during the EMEA region SABRE awards dinner in Prague. The campaign, A Woman’s Stand, focused on the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The campaign was conducted by Adalid Public Relations on behalf of HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud. HRH Princess Reema is one of the driving forces behind the Zahra Breast Cancer Association which is the premier source on information and resources about breast cancer in...
Read More