Woman This Month - June 2019

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

June 2019 | Issue 196

TALKING TECH WOMEN TO WATCH

FASHION PERFECT PACKING

FOOD FIVE-MINUTE HEROES

HOMES COOL COASTAL LOOKS

WELLBEING TACKLING THE COMMON COLD

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Digital Edition

JUNE FASHION

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10 Essentials: 10 Things to Try in June 12 Moodboard: Mastering the Headpiece 13 Trend: The Butterfly Effect 14 Get The Look: Travel in Style 15 News: Whispers from around the industry

FEATURE WOMEN IN TECH 18-19 Imtiaz For Her Hosts 20 Alaa Abdulraheem: The Inventor 21 Lana Al-Attar: The G-Whiz 22 Dr Sana Farid: The AR/VR Specialist 23 Financial expert Pria Masson Tanwar on the business of technology

BEAUTY 24 New Products: The latest goodies on the beauty counters 25 News: Chat and gossip, news and happenings 26 Styling: The best office-ready looks for summer by celeb hairstylist Asgar Saboo

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PEOPLE 27 Inge Michiels: Time To Step Up

LIFESTYLE

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28 Wellbeing: Taking Sniffles In Your Stride 29 Wellbeing News: Information on the latest developments 30-31 Homes: Coastal Cool 32 Food: Tasty meals ready in five minutes 34 Opinion: Vegan View 37 Opinion: Ouiam Charkani El Hassani 38 In Her Shoes: Priya Shankar

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Editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at editor@womanthismonth.com. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

I love, love, love our cover star this month. She's kinda cool, don't you think? OK, so she's a robot but, well, our main feature is Women in Technology so, it makes perfect sense, no? And, I must say, I'm absolutely delighted to be sharing these stories. It never ceases to amaze me how many incredible, inspiring women there are on this little island and this lot are some of the funkiest yet.

Not only are they making an emphatic mark in what is often seen as a man's world, but many of them are using technology to help others while forging their own businesses. I have to admit, as one who is frequently frozen in despair (or outright, destructive fury) as some gadget or other (usually my laptop) refuses to do what I want, I am somewhat in awe of these ladies. They've even got me considering taking a tech course in the hope of holding my own against the machines.

Elsewhere this month, Fernanda is thinking holidays and she's come up with the perfect capsule wardrobes for travelling either north or south. Since I have a rather important wedding to attend in a couple of months, I was excited to see her hats page too. I love the superlarge concoctions but I'm not sure I would get one on my head which is, unfortunately, also rather large. Do you have a specific body part that's really hard to shop for? If the answer's yes, I'd be interested to hear how you've coped. For now, I'm resigned to wearing fascinators for the rest of my life, or at least until milliners realise we don't all have tiny, neat heads - or hands or feet for that matter!

If you're not planning a holiday, this month's Homes section gives an update on a classical coastal theme, with lovely colours of sea blue and tawny sandy hues. I know we have the sea all around us here but I honestly never get tired of these tones and I'm always happy to see the latest twist on seaside style.

As usual, we've got our regular round-ups of news from the world's of fashion and beauty and wise words from our columnists Pria, Ouiam and Lahan. So, happy reading and I really hope you enjoy the issue as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.

ly The on 's n wome e in magaz with d e t u distrib GDN e h t

chairman & publisher GEORGE F MIDDLETON editorial director LIZ O'REILLY contributors BEHNAZ SANJANA FERNANDA LANGHAMMER OUIAM CHARKANI EL HASSANI LAHAN SPERINCK PRIA MASSON TANWAR layout & graphics HATEM MONEM media coordinator SARAH ANSARI media manager FARHEEN AHMED print production manager SABU SEBASTIAN photographers RANJITH MOHAN SUBEESH KUMAR NS photography editor MUNA YOUSEF printing press DAR AKHBAR AL KHALEEJ W.L.L., BAHRAIN --------------------DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director LINI REGUNATH MADHAVAN Art & Animation Director HATEM MONEM

Contents copyrighted 2019© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited.

ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 Woman This Month is here for the modern woman of substance and aspiration, embodying a personal style while exploring the best of all worlds: fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Bahrain office address Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com WEBSITE: www.womanthismonth.com Published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing P. O. Box 1100, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director

June 2019, Issue 196 On the cover: Women in Tech Philipp Plein’s stuff often has a slightly bonkers edge and, on that level, this overshirt/jacket certainly delivers. It’s reminiscent of glam rock at its best.

If you can’t see animals in the wild, then on your finger, in the shape of this gorgeous Doe ring from Boucheron, has to be the next best thing, right?

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WOMAN THIS MONTH GOES MULTI-PLATFORM Read Woman This Month in any format convenient to you • Print • Online • Digital • Social media to keep you abreast of everything that’s happening in and about town.

You can now read Woman This Month from its Instagram account. Click on the bio-link and it takes you to a curated page where you can tap the images and read the articles. Simple, convenient and easy!!

Go Published monthly by:

Red House Marketing P. O. Box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com

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Digital Edition

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

K Hotel Iftar The K Hotel held a Coporate and Media Iftar at Kolors Restaurant during the Holy Month

K Hotel Charity Iftar The K Hotel held an iftar for Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society

US Embassy hosted a Majlis for ladies to celebrate Ramadan and the friendship between the United Ladies Ramadan Majlis The States and Bahrain

8 June 2019

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

media iftar was held at the VIVA Masaya Pavilion, The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz Media Iftar ABahrain for the 2019 Ramadan festivities

BSH Health Talk

Bahrain Specialist Hospital and the Indian Ladies Association held a health talk on the topic of hyperpigmentation by Dr Anitta Sara Thampi, a dermatology specialist

The 9TC Ghabga The Nine Training Centre in cooperation with HanVang Education and Training held a Ghabga at ART Rotana Hotel

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June 2019

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FASHION |essentials

10 Things to Try This Month

June 2019

Valentino Wallis

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Short suits. If you think suits don’t really work for summer, just pick a combo with tailored shorts. You will have a smart overall look that just needs a basic T-shirt or camisole underneath.

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LWD. All you need this summer is a ‘little white dress’ as the perfect outfit for your city errands or beachside chilling.

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Puff sleeves, all over again!

Kate Spade

Zara

Cool classic.

When we think of waistcoats, an old man might come to mind, however, the piece can become the trendiest element of your wardrobe. Choose a tailored cut for glam workwear.

Glittery eyes.

Are you a fan of all things shiny? Take inspiration from Valentino’s catwalk makeup next time you attend a fancy party.

Miss Selfridge

Proenza Schouler

2

Cargo goods.

Navigate a comfy pair of cargo pants and pair with killer heels for a chic look or chunky trainers for a swanky twist.

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Extra-large totes for those with a huge essentials list.

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M&Co

Anna Sui vest

Proenza Schouler

Burberry

We choose squaretoed shoes for roomy footwear!

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Fluffy flats.

A bunch of brands opted to transform fluffy slippers into fashionable footwear. Would you give it a try?

Fendi

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En beige.

Earthy tones with golden accents are the chicest you can get. Go for camel from head to toe!

Sergio Rossi

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Valentino hairy flats

Are you ready for the heat? Fernanda Langhammer offers monthly tips to help you fully embrace the hot season at your very best!

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Opening of New Nespresso Booth

Nespresso opened an additional Nespresso Booth in Seef Mall Muharraq. The new Nespresso Booth offers its guests and all coffee aficionados the opportunity to immerse into a complete journey from the wide range of 28 different coffees to the multiple coffee machine solutions and stylish accessories collections

Al Yard Under the patronage of HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa, Governor of Capital Governorate, the AlYard Event was held in Seef

When Imagination needs to be - Limitless The Luxury has to be - Priceless The Design has to be - Timeless And The Coffee - Bottomless

Surf... Read... Sip...

R

Tel: +973 13 666 777

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alkhayyallounge

June 2019

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FASHION | moodboard

I

t’s that time of the year again, when we dust off our hats for protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays and, of course, to show-off our fashionista status. Last year, the fashion scene was awash with XXL pieces in the summer collections (check Jacquemus SS2018). This time, straw bonnets are still popular, but in regular and more acceptable sizes…sometimes.

Valentino

Moschino

Gucci

Simone Rocha

Erdem

Marc Jacobs

MASTERING THE HEADPIECE

Valentino was the one to watch for extravagant, outsize chapeaux, and not just with huge brims.

The whole piece is structured in such a way that if you didn’t look twice, you could be forgiven for thinking it was made for a giant’s head. However, it does look elegant and well designed.

Giorgio Armani

Lipsy

Dune London

M&Co

Accessorize

Marc Jacobs, Erdem and Simone Rocha added a mysterious touch to their headgear, a delicate veil covering the models’ faces. The concept looks like a stylistic trick (an aesthetic idea created only for the show); however, it would be a practical add-on to keep flies and mosquitoes away from the face during the humid season.

Chanel

Chanel followed the trend for natural materials and went for an unfinished look to contrast with its chichi, tailored clothing and accessories.

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FASHION | trend

Zang Toi

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Debenhams fascinator

M&Co

Folli Follie

We feel mesmerised by the beauty of nature and designers all over the globe use it to find unlimited inspiration to their creations. Discreet or imposing, butterflies adorn gowns and everyday pieces to help you fly away in style.

Must-have:

Naeem Khan

Extra point: Sophia Webster is the

go-to brand for fascinating footwear inspired by this colourful creature. Invest in jaw-dropping shoes to add a bold element to your look.

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Marks & Spencer

Laura Ashley brooch

Joe Browns

Sophia Webster

Stradivarius

Pick a selection of butterfly brooches and pin them on your plain tee or jacket for an out-of-the-box feel.

Sophia Webster

Felling edgy?

Debenhams

Jasmine

Sosandar

A delicate or bold piece of jewellery to remind you that life can be beautiful, but fragile.

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FASHION | get the look

TRAVEL IN STYLE Summer holidays are just around the corner, a time when we get to take some time off or expats head back home.

Fernanda Langhammer has the perfect packing tips for an easy, light-weight yet trendy suitcase.

During summer, the island gets quieter as, with no classes for two months at the international schools, people escape from the heat either for the whole period or with a few short trips to chill and relax. If you fly north of the equator, you’ll enjoy the warm (not boiling like here) weather; however, if you head south, as I usually do, it will be cold, with winter marking the calendar. As packing can be a burden, you’ll find here two completely different suitcases to give you ideas on how to put together a practical, compact and fashionable wardrobe on wheels.

General Tips

Stradivarius

Stradivarius

Massimo Dutti

Dune London

Wintry Destination

Dune London

Cath Kidston

Zara

Lipsy Tory Burch

Yellow is the colour to look for, so pick one sun-kissed item and work around it. A pair of shorts is essential and easy to combine with different top options. Take at least one long-sleeved shirt to fight evening breezes and bugs and choose a nice-looking swimsuit, this way you have another top option and beachwear in one. The summer dress makes a statement, wear it for a special dinner by the shore or on top of your bikini to go from sand, straight to the city streets.

Bucket hats are super trendy this season and they are the perfect travelling companion, easy to fold and carry everywhere you go.

June 2019

Next

Zara

Roberto Cavalli

Miss Selfridge

Polo Ralph Lauren Zara

Next River Island

River Island

TUMI

Tory Burch Accessorize

Sultry Paradise

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H&M

• Don’t over pack, try to remember that last trip when you used only half the things you took.

• You can always (and probably will) buy new items.

• Pick interchangeable pieces, this way you have different looks, but not too much to carry.

• Take two pairs of shoes, one might get wet for some reason and you won’t have footwear!

• Don’t take fancy clothes, unless you have a special function happening, otherwise take one special dress and that’s it!

• Remember that low-cost airlines are charging for extra weight, so choose well.

Baby it will be cold outside, so pack (or wear) one really warm coat, that you will probably need every day and make sure it’s a solid colour that will match all the other pieces in your luggage. I recommend you take two pairs of trousers. Something casual, such as jeans, and a tailored or fashion-forward option. If you want to play with your looks, leave the colourful and funky patterns for your tops. I wouldn’t take high heels to a city destination, unless you are attending the theatre or going to a party; if not, you will do plenty of walking and comfy shoes are a must. And last, but not least, pack a warm scarf, it can save you on freezing nights or be a light layer over your longsleeved blouse. www.womanthismonth.com

news

GOSS

Rihanna Makes History Celeb Fave Heads East

Celebrity-loved LA jewellery brand, The Last Line, has launched an exclusive Middle East Collection. Taking Inspiration from and capturing the essence of the region in The Last Line’s whimsical style, the range presents an inspired symphony of the brand’s playful style with regional references. The Last Line founder and jewellery veteran, Shelley Sanders, designed the one-of-a-kind collection with a kaleidoscope of diamonds, emeralds and precious gems. A play between delicate details that make a statement and pieces that are versatile enough to wear every day, the Middle East Collection features emeralds, hearts and the ‘evil eye’ as its muse.

Singer, and all-round mogul, Rihanna has become the first black woman to create an original brand with the French luxury conglomerate LVMH. Launching the fashion label, simply known as Fenty (the artist’s surname), at a pop-up boutique in Paris, Rihanna shared a statement saying: “Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us. Mr Arnault [LVMH chairman and chief executive] has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”

No stranger to the world of fashion, Rihanna also works with Puma and has modelled for the likes of Emporio Armani and Gucci. She also has her own lingerie line and an everevolving beauty brand.

Supply Chain Tracking Music Meets Fashion

The House of Givenchy has revealed its new face. In its own words: “A strong, independent woman of refreshing character and style: the multi-talented Ariana Grande.”

With her multiple music hits and muchimitated personal style, Ariana has emerged as one of the most influential forces in popculture today. A Grammy award-winning performer, songwriter and singer, the brand says she naturally embodies the spirit of the Givenchy woman with impertinence, generosity and a lightning wit — all cloaked in a touch of mystery.

“I am so proud to be the new face of Givenchy. I love this clothing and the confidence and joy it brings to the people wearing it. Not only is the clothing timeless and beautiful but I'm proud to work with a brand that makes people feel celebrated for who they are, and unapologetic about whatever they want to be,” says the artist. www.womanthismonth.com

Bag Rap

Design duo Dolce&Gabbana have attracted controversy again over a bag which bears the statement “I am thin and gorgeous”. The graffiti-embellished clutch was spotted in a UK high street discount store, where its price had been substantially reduced. But the bargain price didn’t impress shoppers who branded the message a “trigger” for eating disorders. The bag is from the design duo’s AW17 collection and the statement is actually a line from TV show Absolutely Fabulous. But this is just the latest in a long line of gaffes including a campaign which was branded racist in China and led to a call to boycott the brand. Shoes bearing the same message also came under fire at the time of the collection’s release.

The fashion industry is notorious, not only for some very questionable labour conditions on its production line but also for being incredibly wasteful in material consumption.

Now Stella McCartney and, tech giant, Google Cloud have teamed up to tackle the issue.

Google announced, at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, that it is building a Google Cloud data analytics and machine learning service that will “give brands a more comprehensive view into their supply chain,” particularly at the level of raw production.

The company is working with various fashion brands, experts and other industry insiders to create the tool and its first named partner is Stella McCartney’s eponymous brand.

June 2019

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Toni & Guy Opening

Joz Group launched its second Toni&Guy branch in Bahrain with a grand opening ceremony held at its premises in City Centre Bahrain. The event was inaugurated by British Ambassador, HE Simon Martin, and his wife Sophie together with Joz Group’s chairman, Mohammed Joz, and managing director, Nawal Joz

The Grove Hotel Pre-Ramadan Iftar The Grove Hotel and Conference Centre held a pre-Ramadan gathering at 25N 50Eatery Restaurant

16 June 2019

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FEATURE | women in tech

FEATURE | women in technology

Jobs For The Girls T

here’s no doubt about it, technology is making sweeping changes in every area of our lives and, if you’ve ever found yourself sitting staring at a frozen computer screen and threatening to throw it out of the window for the 10th time before lunch, you might reckon that’s not such a good thing.

You also might, mistakenly, believe that tech is a territory dominated by men and boys, with a token representation of very geeky girls. And, of course, you’d be wrong.

Wrong. Wrong!

Last year, a national assessment of engineering and technology skills in the US found that eighth-grade girls outperformed boys in all six areas tested — countering the long-held stereotype that boys have a more natural aptitude for these technical fields.

And even history bears witness to the fact that women, on the whole, are far from tech shy. More than 80 years ago, Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr became an overnight sensation for the Oscar-nominated film, Algiers. But, she also had a surprising double life as a pioneer in the field of wireless communications. Along with co-inventor George Anthiel, she developed a "Secret Communications System" to help combat the Nazis in World War II. By manipulating radio frequencies at irregular intervals between transmission and reception, the invention formed an unbreakable code to prevent classified messages from being intercepted by enemy personnel. It went on to become the technical backbone of later cell phones and wireless operations.

In World War II, it was a team of, mostly, women at the UK’s Bletchley Park that cracked the Enigma code which was hugely important in the allied victory. And, sticking with matters military, US Navy Rear Admiral,

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Grace Murray Hopper, was responsible for developing the first compiler for a computer programming language. In 1973 she became the first person from the USA, and the first woman ever, to be made a Distinguished Fellow of the British Computer Society.

Fast forward to today and it’s really no surprise that women are at the vanguard of technological development. Take, for example, Del Harvey, VP Trust and Safety, Twitter; Ginni Rometty, CEO, IBM; and Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, to name just a few. For sure, females as still pretty heavily outnumbered but the times they are a-changin’ and over the following pages, you’ll meet some of the young women making their mark in this exciting field.

June 2019 www.womanthismonth.com

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showcase

Hosts

LUISA MENEGHETTI Internal Displacement Monitoring Expert Please explain what your company does?

At the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), we provide high-quality data, analysis and expertise on internal displacement with the aim of informing policy and operational decisions that can reduce the risk of future displacement and improve the lives of internally displaced people (IDP) worldwide.

To demystify the tech angle, what is the role of technology in your business?

Our tools are mostly based on natural language processing and predictive analytics.

Since the volume of data in our sector is growing exponentially, we need to constantly update and build tools that allow us to monitor this data worldwide. We adopt transparent methodologies and provide opportunities to present our technology to experts and the general public through

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June 2019

IMTIAZ FOR HER HOSTS WOMEN IN TECH AND EMERGING GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES

workshops, events and trainings. We also try to avoid tech jargon as much as possible!

Since this is a relatively new field, do you find male/female breakdown is roughly equal or is there a majority of one gender?

When I started, I was the only woman in the Data and Analysis department. Today, four years later, our department has a 50-50 gender balance. This is a good improvement which I have observed in other organisations.

However, I have also realised that the majority of the management and leadership roles are occupied by men, while the less senior ones are all occupied by women. I don’t think this is due to the lack of expertise but, very often, it is due to the lack of a strong network that can advocate for a woman to get a certain role.

How did you become involved in this area of business, and why?

Technology and innovation applied to the social and humanitarian sector was my interest on the side. I helped establish the first humanitarian hackathon at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, and ultimately had the right skills to work on data for the humanitarian sector.

What have you found the most challenging aspect, and the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect for me is to plan for the long-term, because the landscape of technology is an ever evolving one and it is important to stay open and flexible enough to adapt the course of action to whatever becomes more relevant to the job. The most rewarding aspect is to witness the results of our work when www.womanthismonth.com

showcase supported by the right technology.

How do you stay up to date with the latest developments?

I like to source my ideas from many different disciplines. I deeply enjoy listening to and talking with people working with technology, but in sectors that are

completely different from my own, to learn new ways of coping with challenges or simply get inspired. Events like the Women Power Summit are the best place to do it! I believe that innovation is born in diversity and that’s how I like to stay up to date.

Do you do any work towards

encouraging other women and young girls into this field?

I regularly provide mentoring to students and I support my female colleagues along the way, because I acknowledge that everything I do today is only possible thanks to the support I received from exceptional women who believed in me from the very beginning.

SABA SALEEM Founder of The Stories Studio, Bahrain-based indie game development studio Please explain what your company does?

We are a game development company with a purpose to create games for impact. We do this in two ways: by creating games about real-world causes to bring awareness to these causes, and by giving back a portion of our sales revenue to important causes.

Our aim is to raise awareness, empathy and positive action through our video games.

To demystify the tech angle, what is the role of technology in your business?

Well, video games require all kinds of tech to create and to play. We use game engines, sound and music technology and consoles and devices for video games. What is really cool is that a lot of new tech that is developed for the video game industry is then used in other industries such as training, medicine etc.

Since this is a relatively new field, do you find male/female breakdown is roughly equal or is there a majority of one gender?

When it comes to game players, there is really almost an equal percentage of males to females, but in the game creation industry we still need more female contributors.

The number of females in the industry is

definitely increasing and we are seeing this result in the varied content of video games, especially in the indie game industry.

with global publishers to bring our products to the world and to focus on what we do best, which is the creation aspect of video games.

How did you become involved in this area of business, and why?

How do you stay up to date with the latest developments?

To be honest, I became involved with my passion. I have been playing video games since I was a little girl, and have always been moved by the immersiveness of storytelling through video games. I finally decided in 2018 to pursue my passion of creating these experiences for others. Since Bahrain does not really have a game industry, apart from a very active game development community, I decided to create my own studio. Together with other members of the community we are creating a game development industry in the Kingdom.

What have you found the most challenging aspect, and the most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect has definitely been navigating the landscape. The industry is so huge with so many different types of business models available. It is also one of the most competitive creative industries out there. And our main challenge was not in development but in distribution of our games. To overcome this, we are working

We have relationships with multiple mobile game publishers along with whom we stay up to date with the latest mobile gaming trends. We also follow industry experts, websites and channels to keep us updated.

Furthermore, there are many game-centric events around the world that we keep up with remotely and hope to attend these events soon too.

Do you do any work towards encouraging other women and young girls into this field?

I think one of the best things that any woman can do is to share her story. I take every opportunity I get to talk about my story, because it is stories that really move us, motivate us, and inspire us. I think sharing my story shows other young girls what is possible if they allow themselves to dream, and believe in themselves.

For inquiries please contact the brand managers via email: forher@bahraincredit.com.bh or on whatsapp 34 422-227 / 33 282-228

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June 2019

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FEATURE | women in tech

TALKING TECH Technology is all around, improving our lives with new developments daily. We caught up with three innovative women who are putting it to work.

THE INVENTOR

Alaa Abdulraheem is the founder and GM of Butterfly Technology.

Her mission is making inventors’ dreams a reality.

Briefly, what does Butterfly Technology do?

Butterfly Technology is a Bahraini company that specialises in manufacturing new innovative technological ideas that are not available in the market yet and developing software applications. In addition, the company incubates fresh innovative ideas and provides full technical support which includes consultation, support in the planning, implementation and providing guidance throughout the process. Add to that, supporting creative minds with opportunities such as attending competitions, exhibitions and more. What we do: - Manufacturing innovative products - Turning ideas to inventions - Building invention prototypes -Doing scientific researches and studies -Consultations -Training and courses -Events and speeches

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How did you become involved in the technology sector?

I have loved science and technology since I was a kid. My parents did science projects with us at home. Then they registered me at the Science Center when I was in primary school. I started taking courses in Science and programming, attending scientific affairs and conferences in and out of Bahrain and planning and managing scientific events. When I graduated [high school], I got a scholarship in computer engineering at the University of Bahrain. And, for my graduation project, I decided to do something new – something that did not exist, something for ladies and something useful for the public. So, I invented a machine that can [mix and] produce any colour of nail polish in less than 60 seconds, controlled by a mobile App to allow the user to choose the colour and the type of mixer.

This machine won the Best Graduation Project Award in the college. Moreover, it won first place in a Microsoft competition locally, first place in the pan-Arab semi-final of the same

competition and third place globally – Bahrain was the first Arab country to win a prize since the competition started in 2003. There were also many other global awards.

Because of all the hard work, I received the Efficacy Honour from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Bahrain National Day that year.

After graduation, I decided to start a Bahraini company, Butterfly Technology, that turns great ideas into inventions and then to final products that are ‘made in Bahrain’. Also, we help anyone who has an idea offering courses and consultation sessions to teach people and students how to develop their own inventions.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

Well, in each phase there are many challenges. For example, the first challenge I had was in building a full invention by myself, learning how to do it, searching for the necessary components et cetera. Then, after graduation, the financial challenge came to find capital for my business. Actually, the challenges never stop, they become bigger and bigger. But this is how you jump to the next level in your game.

What’s your proudest achievement to date?

Definitely receiving the Efficacy Honour from HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Any advice for other women interested in joining the industry?

If you have a dream, go and fight for it. Set out a plan with small steps to reach it and never stop trying. I know it is not an easy path, but achieving your dream is worth it! www.womanthismonth.com

FEATURE | women in tech

THE G-WHIZ Lana Al-Attar is the founder of digital agency Gudjuju.com and also founder and lead of Google Developer Group (GDG) Manama.

Please give us a little bit of your own tech background. How did you get started and how does tech help in your daily business life?

I have a BSc. in computer science which I got at the age of 19; I got into university at 16. Interestingly enough, I don’t use much of anything I learned in university and all my success in both Gudjuju.com and GDG Manama I owe to YouTube tutorials and online courses.

Technology in this century needs to be humancentric, its role is to enhance and assist humans and not replace them altogether. This helps with efficiency, better economy and ultimately makes more time for deeper offline human connections and wonderful online experiences.

We craft these every day at my digital agency.

What led you to establish the GDG Manama?

GDG stands for Google Developers Groups and is a platform offered by Google Developers to support community-run developer groups. The programme was brought to my attention by StartUp Bahrain – I applied online and went through an application and interview process with the Google Developers Groups regional lead. There was so much synergy and many things we saw eye to eye on. What I love about GDG Manama is that it is easily one of the few groups that are not afraid of teaching ALL technologies and not just Google technologies.

Also, the community, support and access to resources we get is amazing. We even had the honour of going to Google IO last year and this year, where we got to experience all the new technologies first-hand!

Currently we have over 1,600 members, www.womanthismonth.com

and, in just over a year we have trained over 3,000 attendees on various topics such as web, mobile, blockchain, data science, nano tech, devops, security, iot, machine learning, selfdriving cars, cloud and digital marketing.

How long has the group been running and how does it work?

The group has been running now for a little over a year, it’s free and open to everyone.

We have attendees from 12 years to 60-plus, from all backgrounds. We list the workshops on Meetup, you just register on Meetup.com/ GDG-Manama and attend the topics you like.

So far, all our events are for free and even the pizza is on us!

What has been the reaction in Bahrain?

Phenomenal. Many people have learned many skills, some have won hackathons as a direct result of our training. Some have opened businesses and some even got career promotions as a result of the networking and new skills they’ve acquired. This is made possible because GDG Manama is a safe place for all backgrounds and all diversities to come and learn. We make that clear and try to be as approachable as possible. Most of our sessions

have hands-on training for all different levels – we do our best to make it as easy as possible for someone to get started.

Do you find the membership has more of one gender than the other, or is it pretty equal?

When we started it was very male dominated, but month after month that has changed, to the extent we had a new member say: “I thought this was a tech event, how come there are so many women?” That made my day.

Do you think the group can help encourage more women into the tech arena and specifically the development side?

Bahrain already has many women developers graduating universities, it’s about giving them the platform to show what they can do and welcoming them to join an active tech community.

How do you see the group progressing into the future?

This year we will be releasing session tracks for each subject, if you are interested in mobile development or Artificial Intelligence, you now will have more sessions arranged in tracks that you can attend.

June 2019

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FEATURE | women in tech

THE AR/VR SPECIALIST

Dr Sana Farid is a pioneer ARVR (augmented reality/virtual reality) strategist in the MENA region, and the co-founder and CEO of Munfarid, a MENA-based innovation firm focusing on immersive technologies and the fourth industrial revolution. She’s also a surgeon, qualified from the RCSI Bahrain.

D

r Sana is currently serving as copresident for VRARA Association MENA region, the world’s largest community of innovators and experts working on VR/AR and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

How did you go from being a qualified general surgeon to the field of VR and AI? Entering a professional career in medicine, I realised that this field requires extensive training, a lot of practise and proficiency to interact with patients.

I soon understood that we, as a society on the whole, need to go further than implementing what is already known.

The medical profession is life-changing; we welcome our patients and devote our energies to create a healthier society. I wished to discover potential methodologies that seemed promising to improve the training and development. Immersive learning was a technology that instantly interested me.

I learned how AR and VR could improve the retention rates, enable better engagement, provide more chances for practice in safe environments.

As a medical intern or fresh graduate, immersive environments increase confidence by [allowing] working in the virtual field with virtual bodies.

I kept researching, in a quest for more pragmatic solutions, interrogating the scope of XR [cross reality]. It turned out, that it could reduce the nervousness of confronting real patients, an inevitable phase during the training.

Through my experience of the field, I yearn to enhance the training system, education and practices in XR. What is the idea behind Munfarid, and how long did it take to reach where you are now?

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Munfarid is a notion of dedicated endeavor, passion to empower and disrupt through intelligence.

Technology has brought us closer and helped us perform tedious tasks smoothly. The idea behind Munfarid was to reach even beyond physical limitations; to make learning more productive.

Learning is precisely empowering and igniting others to reach and help more people.

Munfarid envisions to prepare tomorrow’s generation to be work-ready, enabling them to reach the developing nations and rise as a community.

We take pride in running the biggest immersive learning programme across the region. ARVR has been instrumental in advancing the educational and medical field and has helped bring a positive change in the lives of many.

In our journey, we work closely with several governments to strategise innovation programmes and conduct multiple impact programmes in developing countries catering to the most sensitive issues such as infant resuscitation and nonformal education. We look forward to helping as many people as possible, empowering them to live the life of their dreams.

What do you see as the future of this and any coming technology in both education and the realm of wider daily life?

Industrial revolutions revamp the way things work. With the inception of immersive technologies aiding the fourth industrial revolution, today, healthcare professionals are able to help patients with better treatment outcomes during painful and/or anxious situations. This approach enables them to improve the overall patient experience and

better quality of life.

In the education sector, immersive learning tools are proven to increase engagement to 100 per cent, improve knowledge retention to 90 per cent and results to 86 per cent, ARVR has enabled learners to bring lessons to life and learn-by-doing.

As a woman, did you face any genderspecific challenges?

On the contrary, being a woman is a privilege in our country. The government has initiated several programmes to increase women‘s economic participation through small businesses. The Bahrain Development Bank offers both microcredit and larger loans, with 73 per cent of beneficiaries being women.

In the educational sector, Bahraini women constituted 72 per cent of students enrolled at the Arabian Gulf University and 67 per cent of those enrolled at the University of Bahrain; the two largest post-secondary education institutions in Bahrain.

Bahrain has an excellent ecosystem for startups. We have substantial government support, significant events and meet-ups happening everywhere. In fact, leading organisations such as Tamkeen provide assistance and training to private-sector businesses and individuals. In addition we have an active Economic Development Board that encourages investment in Bahrain, thus extending support, collaboration and growth opportunities for innovative ideas. Such initiatives help us grow the businesses, boost entrepreneurs’ morale and encourage them to ideate creatively.

This is In line with HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa’s vision, we —the Bahraini women— are proud to lead on many fronts, both explored and unexplored.

www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | opinion

I

y t i n u t r o p p O e A Uniqu

’ve been reading this fabulous book based on a Japanese concept called “ikigai” – which is the common ground between what the world needs, what you can do, what you can get paid for and what you love. It’s the sweet spot that allows your mission, passion, vocation and profession to merge into one.

Something that’s mostly elusive to the vast majority. But I think technology provides unique hope.

FINANCIAL EXPERT PRIA MASSON TANWAR GIVES US A MONTHLY DOSE OF ECONOMIC WISDOM.

“Girls don’t like maths as much as boys”, “girls don’t like to build”, “girls are more suited to the softer professions” – all awful stereotypes that girls and women have endured for generations.

Yes, there are women who break each stereotype [for those coming after] and forge ahead despite the odds; but these are outliers. With every wave that’s come, the learning curve has been steep and slow.

But technology eliminates all that in a relative sense. Specifically, there are three characteristics of technology that make it a fabulous space for women to find their “ikigai”.

First, technology is flexible. It can be moulded into any field be it science, art, culture, health, banking and, of course, shopping. This means, anyone with a mind for logical thinking and the ability to spot a need gap, can find a way for technology to work for them. This can, and does, level a significantly tilted playing field between men and women.

In fact, the flexibility that technology provides is probably the hidden ticket that women have needed all along to get them into the arena as serious players.

Second, technology can mould perspective and experience into logic and sequence. There are so many ventures that have been established here in the region which are spearheaded by women in areas that are relatively untouched and unseen by men. To mention a few, we have Mathaqi, a Saudi-based platform for on-demand delivery of homewww.womanthismonth.com

cooked meals; Annada, a cultural initiative that uses technology to market art to a larger audience in unique forms and also ventures like Telp and Daresini that focus on bringing tutoring services into a comprehensive and accessible marketspace. These are spaces that have always existed, but it takes a unique female experience to realise the potential and convert it into a business.

The last, and my favourite, is that the learning curve is gender neutral. Technology, as we know it today, has been developed in an age that, at least on the surface, gives equal opportunities.

That means, all women can get the education they need. Its also a self-learning tool. Hence, technology itself can fill a learning gap through learning platforms. Women who need flexibility can access this learning. Women who don’t have enough money can access this learning. Women who don’t have enough time can access this learning. And from learning to implementation requires knowledge, not a degree. That’s a game changer.

Before technology, businesses were all about things one could touch and feel. Now businesses are about what you can feel or perceive, how far and how wide an audience you can reach and how many smaller gaps can be identified and filled. All of these require deep intuition, solid logic and the ability to look at things from varied perspectives.

These skills are not unique to women, however, the applicability to women’s issues has been limited. With more women being able to enter the field as relative equals, a large untapped market is waiting to be explored. Women can now get their surfboards and keyboards out and enjoy this wave to their own full potential.

You can follow Pria at her Instagram handle money_cues or know more about her professional experience at http://www. i2d-consulting.com June 2019

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BEAUTY | new products

COLOUR AND COMFORT COMBINED

BOSSY BOOTS

We’re loving the name of the latest product from uber beauty blogger Huda Katan – her first ever setting spray, Resting Boss Face. The lady herself says: “I’m so excited to finally show you guys our first ever setting spray, Resting Boss Face! Whenever I do my make-up I never touch up, and this has become my secret weapon for keeping my make-up set all day – I literally use it in so many ways! The formula is unlike anything else (it took us three years to create), and I love how it just helps make-up melt and blend into the skin.”

Givenchy is breaking with tradition with its one-ofa-kind new eye and lip products. Ombre Interdite and Encre Interdite combine long hold and comfort: they both provide intense smudge-proof colour for 24 hours, while offering sensory appeal.

For daring lips, imagine the powerful colour and comfort of a liquid lipstick combined with the faultless hold of a tint. Encre Interdite takes lip make-up to a whole new level with a water-based formula that gives flawless matte coverage in eight shades. Ombre Interdit Cream Eyeshadow promises maximum colour, maximum coverage and maximum comfort. Upon contact with the skin, it becomes a full-coverage cream, saturated with pigments that's virtually indestructible.

It comes in four metallic shades as well as two radiant matte tones.

Available at leading retailers.

Available at shophudabeauty.com

REVOLUTIONARY LAUNCH

Swedish beauty tech brand Foreo’s latest launch is a smart facial cleansing brush, Luna fofo – the world’s smartest and smallest beauty coach which comes in the form of a smart facial cleansing device and is the latest addition to the Luna range. The bespoke and personalised smart device cleanses your skin with its super hygienic silicone bristles, it also reads your skin’s moisture levels and gives you all the knowledge you need to achieve a healthy glow through skin analysis carried out on a connected app. It’s also capable of self-learning and is differentiated from other skincare products by its ability to advance day after day. And an enhanced silicone facial massager has a two-zone cleansing surface which makes it perfect for every skin type.

Available at namshi.com and foreo.com

Our favourite new products to hit the shelves PARTY PEOPLE

Inglot has launched the limited edition ‘Partylicious’ creamy pigment eye shadow collection, a pretty and convenient palette filled with 10 glam Freedom System creamy pigment eye shadows. The formula consists of pure pigment and diamond dust for richly hued eyeshadows that ensure a duo sparkle effect; the colour depends on the angle of the light – how cool is that?!

The eyeshadows are also available individually so you can create your own Freedom System.

Available at Inglot.

COLLAGEN ADDICT

French brand Vichy has extended its face care line with the all-new Liftactiv Collagen Range.

It boasts a powerful mixture of natural active ingredients that provide your skin with an intense boost to rejuvenate and plump, including peptides that simulate natural collagen production and hyaluronic acid, the moisture-binding secret behind skin’s plumpness and freshness. The new range includes three boosting solutions to fuel your skin’s health – LiftActiv Specialist cream, which is proven to improve skin freshness; LiftActiv Hyalu Mask, to help skin recover from tiredness, reduce the appearance of fine lines and even out skin tone; and the LiftActiv Micro Hyalu Patch is to be used overnight to work on the delicate under-eye skin.

Available at pharmacies and leading retailers.

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www.womanthismonth.com

news

GOSS Vegan Lips

Vegan brand FRUU Cosmetics has introduced the world’s first vegan lip balm line made from upcycled fruit extracts.

The brand won health food chain Holland & Barrett‘s Innovation Pitch which enabled it to develop the new line of Fruitilicious lip balms that contain up to 60-per-cent moisturising upcycled fruit-based ingredients including mango butter, avocado cold pressed oil, watermelon seed oil and lemon seed oil.

All fruit-based ingredients are extracted from damaged fruits and unused fruit seeds and kernels.

FRUU founder, Dr Terence Chung, told Vegan World News that he was inspired after seeing the products his students were using. “I noticed that all of them were made from petrochemicals or natural materials that are Alpine Beauty water/land/fossil-fuel intensive.”

Beauty brand Clarins has unveiled Le Started with a minimal budget of around Domaine Clarins, a 200,000-acre private BD950, the brand was developed in Dr Chung farm and open lab in the Alps, to sustainably and co-founder Kelly Yee’s spare room. Aside source, grow and observe plant ingredients. from the new balms, the brand also has a range The brand has always said its success is of other products. due to the plants that produce its precious, effective ingredients and products.

"Above all, it's the quality of the raw materials that make quality products," says Christian Courtin-Clarins, president of the Supervisory Board, Groupe Clarins.

This long-term project, directly inspired by permaculture, brings together all the advantages of a virtuous and quality production: plants which grow as the seasons unfold, in pollution-free soil, at a higher altitude and according to organic farming criteria.

Directly connected to the Clarins laboratory outside of Paris, Le Domaine Clarins is a vast study field and an immense source of quality raw materials. A part of Le Domaine Clarins, The Collection Garden, is dedicated to new plant experimentation in this harsh but pure mountain environment.

The long-term ambition for Clarins is an owned 100-per-cent field to jar production.

Amandla Stenberg Teams With Rihanna

Singer Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line has announced 20-year-old actress Amandla Stenberg as its first ever brand ambassador.

The actress is already a big fan of the products sharing that her favourites are Match Stix Matte and Shimmer Skinsticks, and saying: "They’re wonderful for on-the-go highlighting and bronzing, and I’m always about having a lil glow going. Plus, they stick together with magnets, which ensure they’ll never break apart in your bag.”

As the new face of Fenty Beauty, Stenberg will participate in social media content for the brand and will be seen in campaign imagery around the world in 2019.

More From Kylie

The youngest Jenner is at it again with another new make-up launch that will doubtless send her popularity soaring ever higher. Having teased the news with a series of bare-faced selfies on social media, Kylie Skin was launched on May 22 debuting a range of cleanser, scrub, toner, serum, eye cream and moisturiser – as well as an allinclusive set – which are all cruelty-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, vegan and dermatologist tested. Fans have gone wild for the new products calling them “a whole different level of skincare”. And, not surprisingly, the line sold out in hours.

Restocking at kylieskin.com is due on June 5, but you’d better be quick!

Sister Act

Following in her sister’s footsteps, it looks as though Kendall Jenner may also have a new beauty line up her ever-fashionable sleeve.

It’s been reporter that Kendall recently filed papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office to try and trademark "Kendall" and "Kendall Jenner" for a beauty brand. The filing also had a long list of products that would be covered by the patent, including beauty masks, body scrubs, facial scrubs, body oils, fragrances and perfumes, bath and shower gels, cosmetics and nail polish.

So far, Kendall is keeping mum on the matter. www.womanthismonth.com

June 2019

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BEAUTY | styling

WORKING GIRL CHIC BRAIDED BUN

Twist your hair into a lower bun to achieve this youthful yet tailored look. This simple five-minute style will leave a lasting impression, and will match with a dress, shirt or blouse. Start by making a low ponytail and plaiting the hair, wrap the plait around itself until you see a bun forming and pin the ends in neatly. I would recommend using long bun hair pins as they secure the style in place and are less visible than bobby pins. To achieve a sleek look, use a round barrel brush and finish off with setting hairspray.

Celeb stylist, Asgar Saboo, gives us his take on the best office-ready looks for summer.

While our hair reflects our personality and style, it’s important to be professional and stay within the dress code for work. Even if your job might be boring your hairstyle doesn’t have to be; look like a boss and feel like one with these amazing hairstyles.

TOPSY PONYTAIL

This style is simple yet chic, ditch the simple ponytail and refresh the tied-up look. To start with, find your parting, tie your hair into a low pony tail, not too tight, and lower the hair tie using your index finger and loop the remaining hair through the center.

Add some texture spray to the bottom of your locks to add some volume or try this look with wavy hair for a sophisticated vibe.

ACCESSORISE

SLEEK STRANDS

Heat up your straightener to get this elegant look. Part your hair through the middle and straighten those locks – it’s as simple as that! To achieve this sleek style, dry your hair with a T-shirt and avoid using a towel to tame those flyaways. Tuck the front locks behind your ears and use pins on each side to secure in place. I also recommend using shine hairspray to finish off the look and achieve this quick and simple hair-do for busy working women.

Hair accessories are on trend right now, you will see them on every runway! From hair pins, head bands and scarves to scrunchies. Get to grips with this trend by using a new accessory every day of the week to kick things up a notch.

ABOUT ASGAR SABOO

A renowned figure among celebrities and a regular on red carpets, the name Asgar Saboo is synonymous with headline grabbing, styleworthy hair. He is trusted by supermodels Cindy Crawford and Twiggy, Hollywood actress Eva Longoria, as well as A-list stars including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and, the legend, Rekha. His name is tantamount with cutting-edge and sophisticated styles and his creations have been showcased at glittering premieres, showbiz events and multiple awards ceremonies. The UK-based hair maestro has worked his magic on scores of celebrities and dignitaries the world over, making the front covers of several leading fashion magazines. He is pivotal in the styling of business moguls, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and royalty, such as members of the Sultan of Brunei’s household.

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www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview

TIME TO STEP UP W

ould-be Girl Guides are facing a waiting list to join up amid fears the island’s only expat-centred group could be under threat due to a lack of volunteer leaders.

Guide group leader, Inge Michiels, recently put out a call on social media seeking new volunteers fearing that the transient nature of Bahrain’s expat workforce could spell trouble for the existing group, which meets weekly at the Dilmun Club.

She said: “There is never a shortage of girls who want to get involved, we could easily run more groups. The problem is that, though the meetings are only an hour and a half, there’s a heck of a lot more work than that that goes into it.”

Inge set up the Guide group when she moved to Bahrain from Riyadh five years ago. She had previously run a Scout troop in the Saudi city and was soon put in touch with Sharon Niklin, who had started the first Brownie and Rainbows groups in Bahrain, along with another mum, six months earlier.

Sharon says: “I started it with a friend, Karen, who has now left. She had girls the same age as mine and we were both Brownies as children.

We felt it was a good thing; it teaches children a bit about community awareness and shows ways to participate in your community at the same time as having fun.

“I currently have 24 girls in my [Brownie] group, but also have 24 on the waiting list. The problem is that we simply don’t have enough leaders.”

And, with Sharon herself due to step down, www.womanthismonth.com

due to other commitments, Inge adds: “We need at least three new people, just to cover those who are leaving. It would be great to have a few more as it would enable us to do more and would be great for bouncing ideas off each other.”

As well as getting involved in Guiding International activities, such as working towards competency badges in a range of disciplines, the groups also join in with initiatives such as beach cleans, dog walks, food donation drives and more. They’ve also travelled to adventure camps in Ras Al Khaimah where they got to take part in

By Liz O’Reilly

outdoor sports such as canooing, abseiling and wind surfing.

“That kind of thing is great for the girls and a lot of fun, but is also a huge organisational task,” says Inge.

All the activities are girl-led and the Brownies are even working on guided meditation and a Zen Garden!

There are currently five units, two Rainbows, two Brownies and one Guides, running out of the Dilmun Club but Inge says she would like to open a group in Amwaj in the future, if she can get enough help. Rules for the number of volunteers necessary are set down by Guiding International and she is not keen to start a group only to be forced to close it if leaders leave.

Since Bahrain has its own thriving national units, the Dilmun groups are designated,

by Guiding International, as UK and Commonwealth (though they do accept other nationalities) which can make recruitment of local volunteers difficult, but both women say they are keen to hear from absolutely anyone who would like to step up and help keep the tradition of Guiding, as well as Brownies and Rainbows, going in Bahrain.

Anyone who would like to get involved can register their interest at https://www. girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-avolunteer/register-your-interest/ June 2019

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LIFESTYLE | wellbeing

You don’t need to drown in misery and mucus-filled tissues while you battle a cold. A little patience and some practical home remedies are effective cures to your despair, writes Behnaz Sanjana.

S

neezing, a blocked nose that resembles Rudolph’s, watery eyes, a throbbing head and an itchy throat are some of the symptoms of the common cold that you might be dealing with this summer, while the rest of the island is out licking ice cream on water slides. It’s a misconception that only chilly climes bring colds; they also strike when the heat is on.

After all, a common cold is a virus that attacks the upper respiratory tract (comprised

Antibiotics are effective against bacteria, which are single-cell, living organisms, by stopping their growth and reproduction.

Viruses are particles containing genetic material wrapped in a protein coat. They are not alive and cannot grow and reproduce without invading other living cells. The body’s immune system must let those like colds simply run their course. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

of the nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth, throat and voice box), says Dr Sanjay Gupta, of the surgical clinic at American Mission Hospital in Manama. Many viruses can cause this annoying sickness that can temporarily disrupt your best-laid plans, but the rhinovirus category is most often to blame.

The mouth, eyes and nose are entry points for the virus, which usually spreads through droplets in the air when an infected individual coughs, sneezes or talks, says

Dr Gupta. In the years of his practice, he has seen all too many patients believe that taking antibiotics is the quick-fix for a cold.

“Antibiotics have no role to play in viral infections. In fact, they can unnecessarily produce a resistant strain of bacteria if given to healthy persons, as a result of which they aren't effective when they are really needed in severe bacterial infections.” They can also cause mild to serious side effects.

A cold accompanied by a low-grade fever (not more than 101°F for more than 24 hours) can be treated at home. You can: • Drink plenty of fluids, particularly hot honey, lemon and ginger decoctions / teas and chicken soup for their proven benefits in fighting colds.

• Use a vaporiser, or hot steam, to clear the sinus passages and ease sinus pressure.

• Boost your immunity with Vitamin C and zinc supplements to help fast-forward to recovery.

Herbs like echinacea, licorice root and garlic help as well.

• Gargle with warm salt water to soothe a scratchy throat.

• Rely on over-the-counter antihistamines to get

relief from sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose, and paracetamol to quell a mild fever and the accompanying aches.

• Breathe easy with saline nasal sprays that will allow you to sleep better.

The second and third days of a cold are probably the worst, when the symptoms are at their peak.

Plough through with the above remedies and a dollop of fortitude. You are also most contagious during this time, so taking time off from your regular routine and catching up on rest and sleep is a prudent call.

Keep an eye out for signs that differentiate a cold from other conditions that may warrant a doctor’s attention.

Influenza might seem like a cold, but is coupled with a very painful sore throat, a deep cough, extreme fatigue and body ache and sudden onset of a moderately high fever.

Allergies have similar symptoms, but the mucus discharge is usually watery and transparent, as opposed to being thick and yellow/greenish in a cold. In a cold, symptoms manifest separately and change in severity, starting with mild, worsening and returning to mild before they fizzle out, while allergic indicators are consistent and persistent over a few days. Also, allergies tend to last longer.

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www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | wellbeing

Eat Your Breakfast

Get Sunscreen Smart

New US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data reveals chemicals in sunscreens are absorbed into the human body at levels high enough to raise concerns about potentially toxic effects. A report found bloodstream levels of four sunscreen chemicals increased dramatically after test subjects applied spray, lotion and cream for four days as directed on the label. It added that chemicals, such

Early Detection Tool

A collaboration between Alzheimer's Research United Kingdom, the University of East Anglia (UEA), University College London and Deutsche Telekom has resulted in a game that may help experts detect who is at risk of Alzheimer's. The Sea Hero Quest game, which encourages players to find their way around various mazes has been tried by more than 4.3 million people globally. Researchers compared how different people played the game and found some interesting results. Those with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's “took less efficient routes to checkpoint goals” and “performed worse on spatial navigation tasks”.

Early stage diagnosis (even prior to symptoms like memory loss) before there's too much damage to the brain allows future Alzheimer's treatments to be effective.

www.womanthismonth.com

as avobenzone, octocrylene and particularly oxybenzone, might disrupt normal hormone patterns. However, experts say you shouldn't stop using sunscreen. Those concerned about the safety of chemical sunscreens can go for mineral versions, which rely on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect sunlight from the skin, rather than absorbing it like chemical sunscreens.

Weight Loss Miracle

Plenity, a new capsule developed by biotechnology company Gelesis, was recently cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration to help overweight and obese adults. The hydrogel capsule releases thousands of particles that absorb water and swell to create small individual gel pieces.

These react in the stomach and small intestine, helping to make you feel full, which may lead to weight loss. Once in the large intestine, the hydrogel is partially broken down by enzymes, loses its three-dimensional structure, releases the water that was absorbed and then gets expelled in faeces. Unlike other weight loss medications, it is said to have no adverse effect on the central nervous system.

Skipping breakfast might increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The connection, found in a study of 6,550 adults aged 65-75, was particularly strong for strokes.

Almost 60 per cent of the participants had breakfast every day, a quarter on some days, and 16 per cent rarely or never. All were free of heart disease at the start of the study. Over an average 17 years of follow-up, there were 2,318 deaths, including 619 from cardiovascular diseases. People who never ate breakfast were more likely to be obese and have high cholesterol. Compared with those who had breakfast every day, those who skipped the meal had an 87-per-cent increased risk of death from any cardiovascular disease and a 19-per-cent increased risk of death overall. Breakfast skippers had a 59-per-cent increased risk of developing heart disease, and more than triple the risk of stroke.

Student Benefits

A new Michigan State University (MSU) study adds to growing evidence that participating in recreational sports may not only help improve grades while attending college, but may also help students return for another year. Among nearly 1,800 recent freshmen at MSU, students who played intramural sports averaged a 3.25 grade point average at the end of their first year compared to a 3.07 GPA for those who didn't play. Students were matched based on factors including high school GPA, gender, race, socioeconomic status, if they lived on campus and if they were a first-generation student. According to the researchers, anywhere between four to seven different activities throughout the year, from playing ultimate frisbee to taking an aerobics class each week, makes for an inclusive environment and helps students do better.

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COASTAL COOL

THE One

LIFESTYLE | homes

If you can’t beat it, join it! We’re talking about embracing the summer months by sprucing up your pad to take you back to lazy days on the beach. Fill your space with hues of blue to reflect the myriad moods of the sky above and the ocean beneath. Muted browns and beiges bring to mind seashells nestled in pristine sands, while shades of white are the sea foam that fills the crevices between your toes. Accentuate with pops of green, yellow and coral signifying underwater treasures, and you’ll have a laidback beach vibe going on in your very own home.

Marine Marvels

Decorative accessories THE One

Into the Depths Wall art THE One

Swaying Palms Display cabinet Angelo Cappellini

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LIFESTYLE | homes

Green Envy

Tables Opera Contemporary

Secrets of the Sea Armchair Clan Milano

Feel the Breeze

Outdoor swing Home Centre

Take a Picnic

Turquoise Treasure

Printed cooler Home Centre

Side table Clan Milano

Abstract Art

Awesome Aquamarine Wicker chair Home Centre

Tea set Silsal

Pastels and Metallics

Crockery and cutlery matchesfashion.com

Beach Vibes

Rugs The Rug Company

Laze Around Floor cushion Home Box

Underwater Flora Sofa Opera Contemporary

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June 2019

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LIFESTYLE | food

E T U N I M FIVE

s e o r He

ezer’s ur fre t to o y d wan ep an re-pr . You still or in the p f o een e do ut lier” the qu made ear t out of th ce. Check o t o n I e e g fi you’r “ones ng to the of dy in the OK, so sting with u’re rushi ng day in r e ea r yo r a lo h can all b a cuppa. e t not bu lthily but f a hic a ome ake eat he g or late h ng meals w off and m FAST s yi in K A E R morn sty, satisf your shoe B g ta ck these takes to ki me Eg i t y t n i A • 2 eggs time

LUNCH

• • • • • •

almon

st S Superfa • • • •

1 fillet (80-140g) salmon Olive oil 1/2 cup cooked quinoa 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper • 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 1/4 tsp chilli flakes • A few basil leaves Put a pan over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once hot, season the salmon and sear, skin-side down. Meanwhile reheat the cooked quinoa.

Turn the salmon over when opaque more than halfway through. Add the bell pepper and sauté.

Fluff quinoa and place it on a plate. Top with salmon and bell pepper. Pour the balsamic vinegar into the hot pan and reduce for 15 seconds over medium heat. Pour over dish and top with chilli flakes and fresh basil leaves. Savour!

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2 slices rye bread 1/2 avocado Parmesan shavings 6 cherry tomatoes Salt and pepper Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme or basil)

ast

o To vocad

and A

Pop bread into the toaster. Bring water to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and carefully crack the eggs into it. Cover the pot and poach for five minutes to achieve semi-soft yolks.

While the eggs are cooking, smash the avocado on each piece of toast. Cut cherry tomatoes into quarters and chop up the herbs.

Place the poached eggs on top of the toast. Top with salt and pepper, Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, with tomatoes on the side. Enjoy!

DINNER

sadillas

ue Quick Q

• 1 whole wheat tortilla • 1/3 cup grated cheese • A medium-sized grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced • 1/4 cup baby spinach • 1/2 small jalapeno pepper, sliced and seeds removed • 1 wedge of lime • 1 tbsp sour cream

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a spoon of oil. Place the tortilla in the pan. Spread the cheese onto one half of the tortilla. On the other half, layer the chicken, spinach and jalapeno rings.

Allow the cheese to melt (about 2-3 minutes) before you squirt the lime over the spinach and fold the cheesy half on top of the other half. Cook for a few seconds on each side. Serve onto plate and top with sour cream. Ahh!

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Inauguration of Lulu Hypermarket’s 171st Store

Under the patronage of HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, Lulu Group International celebrated the inauguration of its 171st store

InterContinental Ramadan The InterContinental Regency Bahrain opened up its Ramadan Tent for the Holy Month

BSB Art Exhibit

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British Ambassador, HE Simon Martin, and his wife Sophie opened the British School of Bahrain’s annual art exhibition featuring the works of 17 of its senior students.

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

VEGAN VIEW

Lahan Sperinck looks at the correlation between veganism and disease.

J

ust to clarify, this is not an article about how veganism is a disease that has spread at an unprecedented rate and must be eradicated before we all start keeping cows as house pets.

Instead, it’s about how simply eating a plant-based diet can greatly reduce your chances of contracting certain diseases, and make you healthier, kind of by default.

But first, what’s in animal products that’s so bad for us? The answer lies in the acidity, cholesterol, saturated fat, toxins and hormones.

To start off with, all animal products are acidic for your body. Cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment but an alkaline one kills them.

So, eating more greens and fewer burgers will reduce your risk of cancer. Who would have guessed?

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Moving onto cholesterol and saturated fat. Vegan foods have none of the former and much less of the latter. This waxy stuff builds up in the inner walls of your arteries and can cause lots of issues. It’s been well established that high cholesterol levels and saturated fat = high risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Things like eggs, processed meat and dairy are on the list of foods to avoid here. And before anyone says something about needing ‘at least some’ cholesterol from food, the American Heart Association said loud and clear that we don’t and that our liver makes all that we need.

Onto the toxins. Dr Michael Gregor, a physician and author of the New York Times Bestseller, How Not To Die, said that after a meal of animal products people suffer from endotoxaemia where their blood stream becomes filled with bacterial toxins found in these products.

This causes inflammation which, over time, can cause atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. What makes matters worse is that not only will cooking or our stomach acids not get rid of them, saturated animal fat actually boosts the absorption of these toxins into our bloodstream.

And lastly, hormones. Whether they’re naturally occurring or injected in livestock, you’re probably going to be consuming them if you eat animal products. Hormones have been used for decades in the meat and dairy industries either to help with milk production or for faster-growing animals. Synthetic oestrogens, testosterone and bovine growth hormones are the most common. According to the American Cancer Society, while some of these aren’t known to directly cause cancer, they may influence risk in other ways.

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June 2019

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So, if, in the wise words of Drake, you’re here for a good time, not a long time, I fully support scrapping this article you just read. But, if you’re someone who, like me, is a bit of a hypochondriac, a plantbased diet could help set you on a path to fully functioning arteries and decent sugar levels. www.womanthismonth.com

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Sheraton Iftar Sheraton Bahrain Hotel held a Ramadan Media Iftar

Carrefour MyClub Carrefour announced the winners of its raffle draw which was held to mark one year since its MyCLUB loyalty programme was introduced

Fraser Iftar Fraser Suites held a Ramadan Iftar at The Gallery Restaurant

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March 2019

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Around Town

Nasser Pharmacy launched a new beauty product line

A group of ladies had a breakfast get-together at Angelina Cafe

Maison de Joelle’s grand opening was held at Blisslab, Seef Mall. The event was officiated by Governor of the Capital Governorate, Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman and Joelle Mandarin

Indian Ladies Association held an Iftar gettogether at Best Western Plus The Olive, Juffair

As part of a field trip, children from the Sneha Recreation Centre, which is part of the Indian Ladies Association, visited the home of one of its biggest supporters Lynne Al Wazzan

Bahrain Specialist Hospital held a health event at the Royal Charity Organisation

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S ’ Y D D A D N E H W E G R A H IN C Ouiam Charkani El Hassani asks the questions: “When was the first time you left your child alone with his dad? What kind of surprises awaited on your return?”

W

e all agree that parenting is a shared responsibility, between parents. We also know that mothers and fathers…let’s just say do things differently.

Fatherhood gives a different depiction of what raising children looks like. I am sure we all have seen memes and pictures of kids who have been spending some solo time with their dads, and we all have gasped and rolled eyes, at the sight of crazy eyebrows drawn on kids’ faces or kids being dressed in crazy outfits.

Dads are capable of all sorts of unthinkable mischief, when mum is not around.

The first time I left my then two-month-old baby boy with his dad, I came back after two

hours to see the little one dressed up in his dad’s uniform (hubby is a pilot), and seated on top of my huge pile of laundry! After I giggled, and took pictures, I sat down that night and thought ‘Why have I never thought of doing that myself, you know just for fun?’

The answer was easy, because when baby is with me, I am busy feeding him, changing him and putting him to sleep. I’m busy cuddling with him, reading him stories, chatting with him, even though it is more of a oneway conversation. I’m busy making sure he hits all the milestones on time, teaching him things and doing all the fancy stuff mums usually do with their babies.

It’s not that dads do things wrong; they just do things differently. They have different priorities and different ways of entertaining their kids. Women, on the other hand, are often high-maintenance when it comes to parenting. We only want la crème de la crème for our kids. We are more particular, more ideological, more highly strung.

Mostly, babies spend more time with their mums than their dads, so, obviously, mothers know every cry, every move and every sound a baby makes and why, which makes them “the

LIFESTYLE | opinion expert”. They also develop a system of doing things, because we naturally think about each step before making it. While dads are the opposite. Dad might wash his daughter’s hair last, instead of first like mama does; he might skip lunch and replace it with snacks; he might play a bit too rough, for our liking, with baby; he might take them out in their pajamas and give them ice-cream for breakfast.

Just like relationships, parenting has the men from Mars and the women from Venus, leaving them most of the time on opposite sides of the day-to-day parenting tasks.

Parents are more like teammates with no captain. Two completely different people sharing a huge responsibility – raising a child.

They both do what they see fit, they both love the child, they both always have the best intentions, no matter what.

What’s fascinating, is that children can easily get used to how differently their parents do things. Children are very smart and they have the ability to familiarise themselves with the fact that dad and mum do things differently.

Sometimes that can even help babies feel calmer and more peaceful instead of confused, when mama is not around yet someone else is doing exactly what she does. Instead they will know that Daddy is in charge now and that is fine.

If the Dad is criticised over every single move he makes, while doing his best, taking care of his child, he will end up dropping the ball, and giving up, which leaves everyone at a loss.

Mum loses an extra pair of hands and father and child lose that very special connection they get when they spend time together alone. So, yes dads are not mamas, and they will never be, but that’s absolutely OK! Chanelmama

www.womanthismonth.com

June 2019

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last word

In Her Shoes

What’s the most embarrassing moment you can remember?

Priya Shankar, cluster marketing manager for InterContinental Regency and Crowne Plaza Bahrain, gives us a peek into her world.

Early bird or a night owl?

Not had too many of them but I guess I could say the time, when I started riding [motorbikes] and we participated in a rally with other bikers from around the region. I decided to wear full-on eye make-up. Trust me...not a great idea when you are riding and have the wind in your face. I ended up looking like a raccoon or as if I had stood next to a bike backfire!

I can be a bit of both...completely depends on the phase I am going through. I love networking/social events which are mostly evenings but I also enjoy riding and going to the gym (mostly mornings).

What superpower would you like to have?

To read people's minds, as it would ease communication.

What’s your favourite cuisine or dish?

I love Thai, simply because of the beautiful flavours that come with the cuisine. But I also love a Raclette meal, as it makes for a nice relaxed evening.

Priya Last splurge on your credit card?

I love collecting masks whenever I travel, so my last splurge was a set of beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted Vietnamese masks.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Exploring the world on a bike...I hope.

Where would be your perfect holiday destination?

Adventure holidays...not a beach bum

What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received?

I believe it’s the thought that counts.

The fact that someone has taken the effort to go out, get you something and get it gift wrapped is special.

What song title best describes you?

Free Bird – Lynard Skynard.

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