'We should ensure continuity of equality'

Within the past four decades, women in the UAE have seen tremendous growth and development that aligned with the progress the country has witnessed. From contributions in schools and homes to reaching ministerial positions, the Emirati women proved the sky has no limits.
Dr Moza Ghobash, the chairwoman of Rewaq Ousha Bint Hussein Cultural and Social Centre, sets another such example. On the Emirati Women's Day, she spoke to Khaleej Times about the journey of UAE women, led by the history of Arab activism.
How does it feel to be an Emirati woman today?
Today, the Emirati woman is complete. Her personality is formed. Today, she talks about education and knowledge, and her intact identity. Nowadays, she carries a responsibility to secure her country from inside and outside.
How far has the Emirati woman come since 1971?
The change is huge. Through the past 44 years, we can divide women's achievements by the decades where in the 1970s, our leadership was focused on building the society and the infrastructure of hospitals and schools. The notion was to build the human, which was a tougher mission than building industries. The woman movement in the UAE was led by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In the 1980s, women started acquiring higher education and contributing to making change through fighting illiteracy and training women in the workplace. That is when we witnessed women's breakthrough in invention and creativity, especially in technology, culture, music and art. A beautiful leap of women's presence came through in new fields until she reached the political sector from her position the Federal National Council to the ministry.
Her voice is now international, not just regional, and her role complemented men's role in the UAE society that they became inseparable. The cycle is now complete.
 

How did the society's perception of the Emirati women's role change?
Women's role was first limited to social and educational fields. Tradition imposed some obstacles in other fields, but today women work in all the fields, even in the military, with Marium Al Mansouri for example, becoming the first female fighter pilot. There is no field the woman cannot participate in.
With all her successes, what are the day-to-day challenges the woman deals with today?
Her challenges are within her domestic duties. Women's responsibilities are huge and present a heavy burden on their shoulders. With high divorce rates among Emirati families, the marriage system is threatened to fall apart due to the quick change in the UAE society that affected the stability and diverted women away from the paths.
How do you assess the role of Arab leaders in helping women have their own print?
With women's domestic challenges, we see the government adapted and introduced solutions that empower women and allow them to contribute to the society within the comfort of their home. Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund are examples of the financial and mental support the government provides to encourage women to keep contributing. We follow the light of our leadership that wants us to reach the top of our abilities in a short span of time.
The coming decades will require women organisations to think of ideas to modify the marriage system in Emirati society. It's a whole society's contribution.
Would you say equality is achieved in the UAE's workplace?
Equality is present. The Gender Balance Council was formed last year to ensure the continuity of this equality and rebuild the notion around it.
When compared to other women in the world, how do you describe the achievements women in the UAE have accomplished so far?
Women in the UAE were led by the Arab women's movement during the 1950s and 1960s in Egypt and Sudan and some GCC countries. The movement contributed in fighting the British and French colonisation and brought in changes. With the inception of the 21st century, Arab societies faced social, economic and political challenges, which weighted the female activism down. But the UAE has not faced such challenges, but continued the mission and still does. We, as Emirati women, do not deny that the history of Arab women lightened our way to success and accomplishment.
From your opinion, who is the women's greatest enemy?
Her greatest enemy is herself. If she kept looking down upon herself or failed to invest her time, she will not achieve as much as she is capable of.
Who is your role model?
Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Al Ketbi. She's the example of kindness, compassion, persistence and leadership.
What is your advice to woman?
Take this day to be happy and proud, but also reflect and think of what more we can achieve and how can our minds produce ideas to create a new facet of awareness to women for the future.