Expat women are all praise for Emirati counterparts

As the people of the UAE celebrate Emirati Women's Day, expatriate women are taking time to reflect on the accomplishments and role of their female Emirati friends and colleagues.
Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, CEO the Geoscience Testing Laboratory and one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the world according to a recent list by the Filipina Women's Network, said that she was impressed with the changes Emirati women have undergone over the last 40 years.
"Emirati women have become pioneers in their fields over four decades. Over the years, not only the role of the Emirati women has changed, but the UAE society as a whole has changed in numerous and positive ways," she said. "Those changes and developments have created a bridge between the traditional and the modern without losing the heritage and culture that define the national identity."
"I have seen that education is the cornerstone of every male and female Emirati's success. The government has empowered female Emirati leaders to participate in decision-making at the highest levels," she added.
Indian national Heena Jain said that it is clear to all - including the expats who haven't had the opportunity to interact much with Emirati women - that they are considered equals in the society.
"I haven't interacted with them a lot, but I feel they are really doing well in different fields. As the UAE is a cosmopolitan country, they are free to go out and are very much visible."
Another Indian, sales representative Anju Prasanth, said that she "deals with a lot of Emirati women" and always finds them to "be very helpful and supportive".
"They are friendly," she added.
Wafa Kasimieh, a Filipina who serves as senior cultural advisor to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, said that today's Emirati women are doing well in all aspects of private and social life.
"UAE women are now competing professionally," she added. "Forty years ago, women were barred from working outside, and could do so only from their home. Moreover, the women of new generation have raised awareness of how valuable women [are], not only in the family, but in the community as well. Strong Emirati women leaders are now being recognised."
An American - who asked only to be identified by her first name, Kate - said that she believes that many expat women, particularly Westerners, come to the UAE with a skewed perception of Emirati women and their role in society.
"I arrived thinking that I wouldn't really ever see Emirati women at all, to be honest, at work or out. That was the impression I got from people back in the US about Dubai and the rest of the country," she said. "Now I know different. I have worked with Emirati women and have found them to be educated, very professional and good at their jobs."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai