47 minute read
34 Mona Almoayyed
International Women's Day
Mona Almoayyed, Managing Director, Y.K. Almoayyed
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What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. The International Women's Day theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias, which highlights the importance of challenging biases and misconceptions in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world.
YKA has always provided equal job opportunities to potential candidates irrespective of their gender. Our recruitment is always open for men and women, irrespective of the type of role. We have gone to an extend where we have offered female employees with the opportunity to join roles that are technical in nature such Automotive Service Advisors and Sales Executives in our showrooms, making them a prime example to other companies in the region.
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Several key women who have shown keen interest in developing themselves have achieved very technical and operational roles that were earlier handled by men only, a great example is our Branch in Charge for one of our Service Centre, she started as a sales administrator and today she is the Assistant Service Manager and Branch in Charge for QuickLane Salmabad. Our Assistant Finance Manager in our Group Finance and Accounts Department she started as an Accounts Trainee and our Electronics and Home Appliances Sales Manager for Business-to-Business segment. These women have not only been handling the jobs we assign them to, but they are also often supported and motivated by our management and interactions with key customers that they serve. We are very proud of them.
We have recently created a committee that is made of mostly women and have taken their inputs on programs that we can offer for our employees. With their emotional intelligence and attention to details, we are able to offer our staff and community, more personalized and to the heart kind of events. The events are planned and executed by our women employee engagement team.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Being a woman, it was not easy in the beginning, especially we are talking about women in the 70s… people don’t expect you to rise above basic jobs like operator and accountant. My family recognized my ability and rewarded me by giving me a position. But it was not easy, it was very hard when the children were small. I remember missing some important business meetings during that time, but my father and my family were quite understanding, and they recognized that being a woman, I have extra duties. Once my children were old enough to take care of themselves, it became much easier, and I put in extra efforts to strengthen the business. When people see you as a hardworking and dedicated person, you get recognition.
The biggest challenge in business is trying to compete with men. I had to work hard to gain the confidence of the customers and employees at the automobile division. In business there are many obstacles and losses, it is not a smooth ride all the way.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
When I was chosen by HRH King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to be a Member of the Bahrain Shura Council in December 2018.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
Margaret Thatcher since she was strong and a determined woman. She demonstrated that women could have high careers while she balanced her passion for politics with her love of being a mother and a wife. She successfully managed a high-ranking career in a time of extreme gender inequality for women and was a strong female leader in a century ruled by men.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
My advise to women is to work hard and never give up even if their boss ignore them. If they are good, they will be successful.
If they have their own business, they should look at the business profitability by reducing expenses by using clever and effective marketing. They need to know their customers thoroughly in order to satisfy them.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
We have achieved so much but still, there is a long way to go. I hope that our young girls will have no limits and go chase their dreams and future without fear or limits. Empowerment is important to help our girls achieve their full potential which is critical to creating meaningful and sustainable change in societies. I think my only hope is that we inspire those that will come after us and keep breaking the glass ceiling. n
International Women's Day
Hala Farouk Almoayyed, Executive Director, Almoayyed Contracting Group
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #breakthebias mean for you in your work life?
Breaking the bias is a very relevant theme, as the world needs to be more inclusive of women in all aspects of society. A "bias" is nothing more than a mental barrier created by the mind to say that women cannot perform certain tasks or jobs well or as well as men. Being a woman in the contracting industry, I have been able to achieve success because of the support of my work mentors like my father, brother, and husband. They put their faith in me, looking beyond my gender and believing I was able to achieve what I put my mind to. This helped #BreaktheBias, and today the Almoayyed Group has a high percentage of women in its workforce.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
#BreaktheBias hits home with me as most of the challenges I
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have faced have to do with people being skeptical about my capabilities even before they interact with me. The typical attitude I encountered has been dismissive, with a lot of "well-intentioned" advice given about finding myself a more "womenrelated" business to be involved in. These biases meant that I had to go above and beyond to prove myself in the construction industry.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
My career is made up of a series of defining moments, and they all build upon each other as successes and failures to reach where I am today. The most empowering moment in my career is being entrusted with the responsibility and delivering on their trust. I got to learn the ropes of the industry at a time when Bahrain was going through a real estate boom. Underneath my businesswoman persona, I am an artist. So with every completed project and every new landscape
executed, I see them all as works of art that make Bahrain more beautiful. Dealing with clients is something I love, and the positive feedback I receive from them is what drives me to achieve more.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
The greatest power one holds is the power to uplift others. And that is why I admire my mother, Fadia Algosaibi. She has been the most influential role model in my life with her creativity and her ability to make anyone feel special and appreciated. The values she has embedded in me are what molded me to be a strong leader who stands up for what is right. Her exquisite taste is something I look up to and learn from every day, and it reflects in all the decisions I make in any project. She taught us to be compassionate, humble and that all humans are equal. My grandmother Aysha Almoayyed also plays a large role in my life. She was passionate about giving back to the community, and that is why as an individual and a businesswoman, I make sure that I contribute to charitable initiatives.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Before you plan to start a business, make sure you have done your due diligence. When you start your business, don't risk more than you can afford.
If you are trying to move up the ladder, try and learn new skills. I believe learning never stops and we need to continuously learn every day. As you learn you will be able to take on more responsibility and perform better in your job.
My advice is to work hard and consistently, treat others how you would like to be treated, be humble, be on time and be true to your word.
Success takes time, and success also takes a little bit of failing in the process!
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I would like to see the future generations work towards building up young girls so that they have the confidence to take up jobs in any career of their choosing. The world needs more strong female role models who will continue to break the bias, and these are the women our future generations of young girls would look up to. I would like to see more gender equality in the top management of businesses and no bias regarding a woman's ability to get the job done. n
International Women's Day
Najma AlWadi, Chief Technology Officer, Tamkeen
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
This year’s slogan #BreaktheBias means a lot to me because it’s an acknowledgment and reminder of the importance of giving equal opportunities for women to progress and get ahead in their fields. It is a reminder that bias against women still exists, and how it stands as a barrier between women and achieving career growth and success.
This slogan raises awareness about bias and poses a call to action to identify ways to break the bias and create opportunities for women to shine and thrive.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Being a leader in the technology field is not an easy ride for a woman. I had to work twice as hard to prove my abilities. I’m also
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a mother and wife, navigating all these roles is a challenging task.
However, I would like to emphasize on the recognition, support and belief I received from the people around me, including my management and colleagues who supported me during difficult times. I was also very lucky to have great support system to overcome many of the challenges I came across and make opportunities out of them
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
I remember that I was called the Star of IT, which made me very proud! Overall, I've experienced various challenges in my work life, as well as many achievements worth celebrating. Personally, there are two aspects of achievements that stick in my mind and make me proud: one is my work and the other is my team.
I think one of the most empowering moments in my career life was the launch of ila Bank. This was one of the biggest achievements of my career, to build a fully digital bank from scratch. Projects going live is one of my favorite moments.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
My mom. She passed away six years ago but she will always be my superhero. She used to be an outstanding teacher who was loved by everyone around her, a caring mother of 8 children, a loveable wife and community-oriented person.
My siblings and I were raised by this remarkable lady who made sure that we follow ethics, accountability, responsibility, and honesty. She taught us how to deal with people around us and how to make an impact on the society.
She inspired me to fight and reach for the sky. She never accepted me being other than #1 in anything I do. She always made me believe that I can do the impossible.
Even during her sickness, she never gave up and was looking after all of us like true leaders do.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
Start an objective-driven life and healthy habits early. Learn more leadership and influence skills, analytical thinking, social skills and build selfconfidence.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Find what you are great at and invest to make it better. Never stop dreaming and always invest in learning. Give a purpose to what and why you do things. In case you are not sure or need guidance, reach out to other people who can share their experiences. Also, use your network! Women are really good in that.
Don’t be influenced by unimportant factors or negative people. n
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Latifa Al Khalifa, Co-founder and CEO, Clever Play
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
I count myself rather blessed and fortunate to have had the experience of studying and now working in what I would characterize as enlightened places, spaces where I am free from worrying about being discriminated against or having my skills and potentials underestimated on account of my gender.
Having said that, I am sensitive to the fact that mine is not a common experience. Gender bias is a hindering issue that cuts the basic right of countless women and girls across the world to live with dignity and reach for their dreams.
I commit to breaking the bias by promoting inclusive and diverse work ecosystems. This means considering work-life balance for women in my staff who by conventional arrangements take the bulk of time and energy managing a household and taking care of children. My work in education also gives me a powerful
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platform to promote girl-focused initiatives to level the playing field and help bridge gender gap in STEAM opportunities and achievements.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
When I started out my entrepreneurial venture, I had the opportunity to tap into networks and support systems that did two things: it allowed me to link with women entrepreneurs like myself and that, interestingly enough, opened my eyes to the reality that entrepreneurship is a field that for a long time has been dominated by men. I need to go the extra mile to connect with women mentors who can appreciate the concerns I have about breaking through, making a mark, and also paving a way for others to lay hold of similar opportunities.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
To answer this question, one might think of a big moment such as receiving an award that recognizes the value of your mission or landing a partnership with a dream organization. While those encounters definitely count and no doubt boost my
drive, I am most empowered when I talk to parents whose kids have been to Clever Play. They excitedly share what kind of influence the experience left on their children – a newfound curiosity, interest in science to help the world, being eager to experiment, suddenly talking about new dreams. I think these are profound moments that portray the powerful impact our work can have on the next generations.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
I’d like to extend the question by thinking of women in general (power or not) and my personal answer would be my mom. She possesses a unique blend of tenderness and toughness. Her strength and resilience in the face of trying times inspire me to embrace challenges with courage, even to seek out difficult experiences for the way they build character.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
For any type of work and certainly for a leadership endeavor such as entrepreneurship, it is important that you are clear what you are trying to do – what your vision is and what it takes to realize that vision. I like the saying, “do what you love and love what you do.” You’ve got to want it really bad and believe in it really hard so your energy can sustain setbacks and roadblocks. Joining a network and you connecting with other women entrepreneurs, mentors and motivators are profoundly impactful as you make your way to stand on your own feet. Lastly, I must say curiosity and creativity are currencies that will never depreciate. They would add value to your mission and make your service truly transformative.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I am quite optimistic that things are transitioning towards bringing down gender walls. Societal expectations and stereotypes play a big role in shaping girls’ mindset. Thankfully, we are now more aware about intentionally breaking cultural biases, social norms and preconditioning that label certain things as ”for boys” or “for girls.”
On the learning front, I am happy to report that girls-only STEM initiatives (such as our Girls for Tech program under the sponsorship of Zain) are taking flight. I see a cross-sectoral approach to sustaining the STEM talent pipeline which we vitally need for the Digital Age. This inspires my work not only at Clever Play but the STEM Bahrain Movement which we hope would inspire all sectors to advocate for STEM fields and champion gender parity in STEM education. n
International Women's Day
Margaret Nardi, Foreign Service Officer/Diplomat
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
I think it is important to constantly know and show your value, especially when such contributions often go underrepresented or underappreciated. In the United States, women have fought hard to achieve success in every field – in politics, business, art, science, and more – even as they continue to shatter glass ceilings. Significantly, 2022 will mark the 100th anniversary of women in diplomacy in the United States. We have come a long way from the days when women had to quit the Foreign Service if they got married and when men were rated in part on their wives’ social skills as a hostess. Thanks to women like Foreign Service Officer Alison Palmer, who initiated what became a Class Action lawsuit demanding equal hiring, assignments and promotions for women in the U.S. Foreign Service, female diplomats are on an equal playing field with their male counterparts. So, I think the slogan is a reminder to never stop fighting for your place at the table, and to make your voice heard loudly and clearly.
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What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
I think I’ve faced the same challenges most working women have encountered in their professional lives; some of them are self-imposed. When I joined the work force several decades ago, women often treated each other like competitors instead of compatriots. It is vital that women see each other as allies and celebrate the victories of other women as if those victories were their own. In addition, women often second-guess their own qualifications for a job and may accept positions and salaries that don’t take full advantage of their skills and talents. It took time for me to gain the confidence to assert myself and ensure that my voice was heard, and that my contributions were recognized. I am grateful to all of the male and female supervisors who supported me throughout my career and helped me to gain that confidence. Another challenge which faces every woman is trying to balance our jobs and our families and not feel as if we are always failing in one aspect or the other. That is something I have not fully mastered; if I ever meet a woman who has achieved perfect work-life balance, I will ask for her secret. A key factor to overcoming this stressor is the availability of good childcare, and I challenge every government to do more to facilitate adequate accessible and affordable childcare.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
It would be difficult to choose just one. I’ve had fantastic opportunities to lead teams, shape policy, meet fascinating people around the world, and to develop personally and professionally. All of my experiences, my successes and my failures, taught me valuable lessons that helped me in subsequent positions later. My most recent meaningful project was the evacuation of over 7,000 Americans and at-risk Afghans from Kabul, thanks to the Bahraini government’s generous offer to provide a secure transit point. There is no better feeling than knowing you have helped someone escape danger and find safe-haven.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
2022 will mark the 100th anniversary of women in diplomacy in the United States. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of great women like Ruth Bryan Owen, the first female American chief of mission; and Helen Eugenie Moore Anderson, the first American Ambassador. As a career diplomat today, I pay attention to the ways women in diplomacy and other fields lead, negotiate, influence, and mentor all their colleagues, men, and women alike.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
I think everyone grows by following the success of those who came before them. Here in Bahrain, and around the Gulf, in my field of diplomacy you have many examples of successful women who paved the way for future generations of young women. For example, Bahrain appointed its first female Ambassador over 20 years ago, and recently had its first female undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kuwait led the way with a female Ambassador in 1993; and Saudi Arabia witnessed its first female Ambassador in 2019. I would advise women and girls to find role models that can offer them the path they may choose to follow until they are ready to forge their own way forward. It is also helpful to have mentors, male or female, who can provide advice on personal and professional choices and serve as a sounding board before making significant decisions.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I want the next generation of girls to be fearless, to be powerful but empathetic forces for positive change. I believe children benefit by seeing themselves in adults succeeding in various ways and I feel a responsibility to model the attributes I aspire for them to share. I have been so blessed to have a daughter who has supported my career choices, no matter the impact on her personally. She embraced the global experiences she had as the daughter of a diplomat and has capitalized on them to write articles for her university paper on international issues including the conflict in Afghanistan and, as a student, has taught a class on Middle East Peace. Desiring to continue her international experience, she is currently doing a Semester Abroad in Scotland. I am proud that she has taken what she’s seen from my work and applied that to herself to gain the confidence she needs to achieve her personal goals. If young girls are supported and encouraged to be committed and work hard, they can achieve their dreams and contribute to making the world a better place. n
International Women's Day
Mary-Justine Todd, Founder & Executive Director, Shamsaha
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
In my field, I primarily work with women. So I am lucky to be surrounding by like-minded colleagues who understand bias in the work place. But because of our line of work, domestic violence response, I think that expanding the implied understanding of "bias" to include women who experience bias during the experience or process of dealing with abuse could be truly transformational for women and communities. One in three women will experience abuse in their lifetime, but often, this problem is not taken seriously. Therefore, #BreaktheBias in the context of domestic or sexual abuse could mean that women around the world might start getting improved and equal treatment as victims of this crime.
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What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Because I am the founder and director of a women's humanitarian organization, some of my key duties include fundraising and PR. However, because the problem with which we are dealing mainly afflicts women, and it is a subject that is still surrounded by many societal taboos, many potential sponsors and partners are hesitant to get involved. Therefore, as an organization we are always walking a fine line between staying true to our values and mission, while softening our messaging to not alienate the community.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
At the beginning of 2021, Shamsaha was awarded a large-scale grant from the L'Oreal Fund for Women, out of Paris. This was an incredible moment of acknowledgement by world-renowned company. This truly helped me personally as well as everyone within our organization feel a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. When an organization such as L'Oreal not only conceptually supports your mission, but backs it up with hundreds of thousands of dollars, you know that you're doing something right!
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
I've been asked this question many times, and I still don’t have a great answer. Because there are so many powerful women who I admire. Let me just say that from the President of the L'Oreal Fund to my neighbor here in Bahrain, amazing women have been helping me along the way. I think the key to this question is keeping an open mind and recognizing that there are so many incredible women out there and everyone has a different super power!
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Take the time to learn the business you're interested in. Do the necessary research before starting to ensure that you're ready and that you know what you're getting into. Having also started Shamsaha alone, I have learned there are many difficulties in being a founder. So, consider finding a partner and creating a co-founding relationship to share the burdens.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I would like to see an end to the global patriarch. I would like to see women and girls no longer facing violence and abuse. I would like to see them treated as equals in dignity and respect from the corporate world, to criminal justice systems, to healthcare and within domestic/family settings as well as all other areas in which women experience discrimination, which is all areas of life! Because when women thrive, everybody thrives! n
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Noof Al Shekar, Founder, NS by Noof
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
In my line of work I design and create for every gender, color, nationality and religion. I create my pieces by taking inspirations from the different cultures around the world, from Arabic geometrical shapes to the Russian patterns, my stones are picked and chosen from different continents and countries. The mix of different mediums from different places used in one piece is created for an anti-bias market where everyone can feel that the bag belongs to them.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
The challenge I face as a women in my industry, First, being a Muslim Arabic woman who wants to take her business and creations globally is a challenge. Being a mother of four and an
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entrepreneur is another challenge I face, where people won’t take you seriously and think of it more like a hobby and not a business.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
The most empowering moment in my career was the challenge of diverting this niche brand which I built in the last 11 years from full on high-end exotic skin handbags to a sustainable brand maintaining the same quality, feeling and brand DNA. The more I looked in this matter the more I wanted to be in the lead; not only to be sustainable, but also to maintain the high-end luxurious feeling with sustainable materials.
In addition, we have tried to raise the amount of recycled waste used in every product – each bag was equivalent to three to four recycled bottles. We have increased that by increasing the use of the same fabric for each bag of up to 10 bottles per bag. That gives us pride and joy to be more aware of our environment and do our best to give back.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
Zaha Hadid. She proved herself in an era when men used to rule, she defied physics and normality to create her vision. Coming from the same background, a woman like her is an inspiration and a legend.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
First, do something you love, so you're always motivated and inspired. Don’t give up, if today is a bad day, tomorrow will be be a better one. Small steps are better than no steps at all.
Learn from your mistakes, stand up for yourself, love your work, accept criticism and accept your mistakes, this is the only way you will learn and evolve. Be open to change, embrace it. Take every obstical as a challenge, and enjoy overstep to your goal, remember the goals and methods might change but your intentions are the only things that matter.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I think the next generation females are strong, powerful, confident and I would like for that to continue. I would like for the next generation to find patience and trust as they grow. n
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Yara Jameel Salman, CEO, Jas Group
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
#BreaktheBias to me means using my platform and power to help level the playing field for women, by giving them a seat at the table and providing them with equal opportunities and equal pay as men. Encouraging men to operate as allies to women is also vital. If we actively work together to recognize, analyze and dismantle systems of inequality, we can hopefully one day live in a world free of bias. Wouldn’t that just be wonderful?
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What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Deeply ingrained stereotypes and dangerous social and cultural norms make it harder for any woman to succeed in her chosen industry. We have to work three times as hard to prove ourselves. Throw ageism into the mix and it’s even more challenging. When I started my first business, I was only 17. I definitely
faced the double discrimination of combined sexism and ageism. That gave me thick skin and even more motivation to succeed.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
Being featured in Forbes magazine is definitely up there on my list. It was one of those “aha!” proud moments in my career. If you really want something in life, you have to manifest it, work for it, chase it and obtain it. I really believe that.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
So many women have shaped me and inspired me in some form or another and it’s not just the women who have achieved success in leadership roles. I admire any woman who is kind and caring, humble and grounded, perseverant and unapologetically herself.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Whatever gives you that rising feeling of excitement and joy, that’s your passion. I would say try not to let others dictate your life and your career choice. Take control of your own destiny, make sure you enjoy what you do and be willing to work hard everyday to make your goals happen.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
The change most of us eagerly hope for — for the unheard female voice to be heard and respected and valued. n
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Photo by Firas al-Raisi
Amal Waqar, Musician
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
It’s been incredible to see the growth in support for women in their professional fields, especially in regard to women from more diverse cultural or ethnic backgrounds in the region. Advocacy and support should extend to all women – regardless of age, background, spiritual alignment, personality, or field. To me, #BreakTheBias means defying the limitations imposed to us and at the same time, engaging in the community and connecting through the shared experiences we all face as women.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Female oud players are not that common – difficulties arise from often being the only woman in my professional environment. The biggest difficulty is probably the attention I get for being a novelty, even when that attention is well-meaning.
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It is important to celebrate women for their accomplishments, especially when those accomplishments come out of challenging circumstances. However, I think that we have reached the point where we can start to normalize women succeeding in their fields. I’d happily be known for my artistic vision, rather than being known for a “gender-specific experience” of my instrument.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
This is a huge question for any artist to answer! As I’m sure most people can identify with, musician or otherwise, life is full of empowering moments, and it’s near impossible to isolate all the great moments in life. So far in my life, pivotal moments seem to compound and build momentum and take you from one phase to the next. If we’re talking about the most empowering moment in my career from this perspective, then it’s probably when I made the decision to pursue music more seriously. But having said that, I feel like this commitment to pursue music deepens every year as my bond with music and myself strengthens.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to work their way up the ladder?
When it comes to starting a career as a female musician, I don’t think there’s anything more important than the people you surround yourself with. When you’re young, everyone is your teacher, even your friends and colleagues, so it helps to be deliberate about who and what you expose yourself to. Do you like how they practice or keep a routine? Do you like what they listen to? Do you like the sub-culture they’re a part of? Surrounding yourself with people who love what they do, love you, and are committed to seeing you grow how you need to is invincible stuff.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
We’ve seen such an explosion in the opportunities available to youth, especially female youth, in the past few decades. As a continuation of that, I’d love to see more women in the region participate in different music styles, performance art, production, cinematography, etc. We need your voices, your minds, and your stories out in the world!
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
I’ve consciously made the decision to consistently reflect on the women around me, my friends, family, and colleagues, and appreciate their power, strength, and intelligence. These qualities are not one-size-fits-all. Power and strength manifest differently depending on life circumstances, and there are so many different kinds of intelligence.
It’s very important to me, at this phase in life, to meet women in their truth and appreciate them according to their values, as opposed to judging them based on my values. If a friend’s definition of success in life is to be a mother and wife, I want to try and understand why she feels that way and how I can support her. If I have a cousin who is more subversive and defines her success based on her personal interpretation of values, I am so intrigued and invested in that process with her. I, in turn, ask from others for the same support and commitment to understanding my values. In a way, every woman I get to know inspires me with her conviction and self-autonomy, even when we don’t see eye-to-eye! n
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Susy Massetti, Chef
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
We all have to fight for women to be finally recognized as productive and to be valued equally to their male counterparts. For centuries, women's work has either never been compensated or compensated equally as part of the general dismissive male driven social culture we all live in and we, women and mothers especially, have partially contributed to that in continuing to promote these social conventions.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Support, in general I should say as I was pretty lucky, yet One of the main reasons many female chefs leave their career is because society and their companions, expect them to drop everything in favor of staying home and making children.
Some countries are now allowing both parents after birth, to be the caretakers - hence giving mothers the opportunity to continue in their careers should they want to pursue it. This is equality, this is fairness.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
The moment I finally took the step to go solo, to grab the reins of my career from other's hands, to “free myself” from what I was made to believe I could “only” be for a very long, long time! A fairly recent event I must say, just a few years ago in fact, but it was as scary and as exhilarating as jumping from a mountain!
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
My mother. After being widowed, In a very conservative Italian society and in the 60’s, when a woman was pretty much nothing without a man next to her, she stood up on her feet, created her own business, resisted pretty harsh times and never remarried just to appease family or society. She is why I am who I am today!
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Be you! Don’t listen to anyone who wants to talk you down or knock your dreams. You have it in yourself and you owe it to yourself to become the best of you!
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
A world where “male or female” will never enter a discourse! Sex is not a defining factor in anything as far as I am concerned and it shouldn’t be for anyone, ever! n
Lulwa Sowaileh, Chef
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
As a Bahraini woman who has started to work as a chef since 2009. It was an unorthodox move and very uncommon during those times, I had to grow and get recognized by travelling to multiple countries to train and work with renowned international chefs to break the bias of what the title chef meant in this region.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
In an industry that is dominated by men, it is very important to not give up. The main challenge is to endure the heat of the kitchen and at the same time keep up with the fast pace of service, stay creative and sacrifice a lot of personal time and days off for my career in order to grow and succeed. It's very rare in this region to find a woman working as a chef as most companies tend to hire men, so one of the challenges is to go above and beyond while staying focused.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
One of my most empowering moments is when offered the opportunity to represent Bahrain in EXPO 2020 at the Bahrain Pavilion. It has inspired me to create a goal to have guests walking in mainly for the food and create a memory of our beautiful island. It has been empowering to see that we have achieved our goal ever since.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
My mother is the most powerful woman I admire. As a single mother of five children, she has never once stopped supporting my ambition when everyone thought it was wild of me to wear an apron for a career. She continued to support me even through hardships and has always taught me to never give up. Her support is what keeps me strong when things get too stressful.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
I have always been a strong advocate for "working your way up the ladder" before opening your own business. Like every career, it is very important to grow your way up, have a strong working background in your field, be polished by mentors and learn how to lead a team. It is important to stay strong during tough times as hard work always pays off even if yours takes longer than others.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I would love to see more women joining the hospitality field in general and have organizations in place to support future young females who wish to grow, learn and work on their passion. n
International Women's Day
Budoor Steele, Tea Master and Sommelier, Founder of Chawan Japanese Tea house
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
To me, it means women do not have to conform to certain expectations in terms of career choices. We can create our own path, even if it's outside of the norm. Being a tea and Japanese cultural specialist might not be the normal occupation title, but it is a passion and a fulfilling career.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
As a niche business concept, it required creating a new market for this unique idea. It needs continious effort in terms of educating customers for the business to flourish.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
The most memorable one was receiving the admiration and respect of the 15th generation Urasenke Iemoto, Sen Sõshitsu (the Head Master of the Urasenke tea school in Japan). I had the chance to meet him during a UNESCO event under the slogan of (a bowl of peace) and presenting him with my master’s thesis, which was inspired by his efforts in spreading the tea culture.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
The road to success is filled with ups and downs, do not let that discourage you. It is a part of the journey and I assure you the hard work will pay off. Surround yourself with a strong network to succeed and most importantly invest in educating yourself in your field of business
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I would like to see the next generation of women become more independent. I want them to surround themselves with positive influences and like-minded people that encourage them to succeed.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
Apart from my mother, who raised me as a single mother and taught me how to be independent, I also admire and look up to Her Highness Princess Sabikha Al Khalifa for the tremulous efforts and regulations put in place to empower women and ensure equality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. n
International Women's Day
Leena Al Ayoobi, Artist
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
Equal opportunities no matter what your background is; inclusivity without highlighting the differences or discrimination.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Having started my career in the corporate world, it wasn’t easy to achieve my goals or targets because there were many obstacles and politics to understand and deal with on a daily basis. In 2014, I shifted to the art world which is something totally different.
Art to me is more spiritual and freer but like any other profession, it has its own challenges. To me, they were harder as I don’t have the background and I came from a totally different field. With time (studying and learning), I have managed to overcome each new challenge.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
Achieving my childhood dream of becoming a full-time artist, I believe it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to do what I love as a career. I got a lot of support from family, friends and fans at the beginning of my career which empowered me to do more.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
My mother. She’s a hard-working mom who raised five children while working a full-time job in a hospital which had unpredictable shifts. Although it’s an extremely hard job, she still managed to spend time with each one of us, cook and take care of us equally.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Have confidence in yourself and believe in your dreams/goals. Don’t be held back by fears of failures.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generatio?
I’m very proud and happy with the achievements of women that I see every day. They have broken all the boundaries and reached many positions and places that we’re not possible before, I would like to see it continue and grow with the next generation. n
International Women's Day
Nayla Janahi , TV presenter
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
To prove that a TV presenter in our century is beyond a good looking woman.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
Being addressed as educated, sophisticated not only in the field of my career but also the degree I hold.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
Serena Williams – she is committed and devoted to her passion not letting any barrier stop her from her goals and dreams.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Never wait for someone to create your opportunity, build one for yourself, alter it to you and never stop working towards your dreams. Think about it, work for it and it will happen.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
To create their own opportunities and not depending on the boxes society has built up for them to fit in only. Society needs to be more supportive in the directions they choose to build up on. n
International Women's Day
Sarah Alsammak, Bahraini Cycling Coach, Founder of Cycling Bees
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
Do what you want to do even if it means you will be the only one in your field!
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
Sixteen years ago, there were no Bahraini girls cycling on the road so to start something that does NOT exist in the culture was tough!
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
To start the only women only cycling group in Bahrain and to be able to equip women to start up cycling as a hobby! Either by learning how to pedal for the first time in their life through Bikeability classes or get them comfortable to ride on the road and with a group through Cycling Bees rides.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
Every woman has her own power I believe.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to start their own business or work their way up the ladder?
Believe in yourself, pursue your dreams and you will succeed.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
It’s ok to stand up for your opinion if you believe in yourself! You will eventually make it. n
International Women's Day
Nada Alawi, Founder & Creative Director, Annada
What does the 2022 International Women’s Day slogan, #BreaktheBias mean for you in your work life?
I love to work and surround myself with a group of women who help each other rise. However, I do believe that biases still exist in different societies around the world.
Bahrain is a country that creates platforms to celebrate women and help them succeed. We are at an age where women are on the rise and it brings me joy to be a part of a movement that supports women. At Annada, most of our team members are fantastic women and I think we make a great job of extending happiness through art.
What is the main challenge that you’ve faced as a woman in your industry?
All my life, I’ve worked in a male-dominated industry and Annada is the only exception. I think that the art and fashion industry here is on an equal ground. Every field of work has its own challenges so it is important to be in an industry that aligns with your personal values – the challenges would be surpassed easier if you’re doing something you love and are passionate about.
What has been the most empowering moment in your career?
The moment I’ve ideated the concept for Annada felt like an earthquake in my heart; I couldn’t breathe if it didn’t happen. From then, we have accomplished many things like having our art pieces at the Louvre, receiving Princess Sabeeka’s Seal of Excellence of Entrepreneurship, being selected as one of the 50 most influential women in retail, among other awards.
There are a lot of memorable moments in my career – from the very first piece we sold to the very first boutique we have opened – they were all very empowering. I continue to experience awesome moments that keep my motivation going on.
Do you have any advice for women wanting to work their way up the ladder?
I think the most important thing is to continuously learn. I personally read so much – it’s okay to read for pleasure, but it's very important to read for growth.
Being in the know and in a circle of people that motivates you is also vital. They say that we are the average of the five people we surround ourselves with. I think it’s very important to remember to always have the abundance mentality; that there’s plenty for everybody.
Work with a plan and then take actions. Make sure you keep going forward and you keep doing activities that take you a step towards your goals.
What main change would you like to see for young girls in the next generation?
I think that young women know what they want based on the information they have. I would like for them to dig more, act on their wants and desires and create solutions that will serve humanity for the future. It can be something that brings happiness or something that saves the world from hunger. It's really up to them to make their mark in the world. But before they do that, they need to allow themselves to experience a serious working environment.
Which powerful woman do you admire the most and why?
There are so many women that I look up to: Oprah Winfrey who broke every possible obstacle in front of her. One of my mentors, Candace Johnson, who started the first privately owned satellite company in Europe. In Bahrain, there are many empowered, tenacious, and kind women that I admire. My mother, sister, partners, and friends all inspire me every day – each of their win is also a win for all of us. n
