Emirati women have helped shift gender-role perceptions: HE Noura Al Kaabi

Dubai, UAE August 27, 2017:  “The UAE has made tremendous progress when it comes to showcasing female leaders, and through continued dedication, Emirati women have pushed boundaries and reached new heights”, said Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, on Emirati Women's Day to be celebrated on August 28.

In a special blog post published on LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, HE said that Emirati women have become active participants in various sectors and have demonstrated similar qualities during their journeys, working tirelessly to reach their goals. “They persevered in the face of challenge and adversity, entering the workforce armed with passion and ambition. Most importantly, they took on the responsibility of inspiring other Emirati women by helping shift gender-role perceptions,” HE wrote in her blog. 

“In government, we have a number of female ministers and high-level officials. On the international front, we have role models acting as diplomats, ambassadors and representatives at prevalent international organizations, including the UN. We have female CEOs in multinational retail groups and real estate companies. We also have innovative young females in science and technology as well as women in the security and defense sectors,” she further said.

Urging women to pursue their dreams, HE asked women not to be limited by their gender. “Our leadership actively encourages us to pursue our dreams even if the path to success is riddled with challenges, because we know we will not be limited by our gender.” 

HE Noura Al Kaabi was the first woman from the Middle East and North Africa region to be selected for LinkedIn’s Global Influencer Programme back in the year 2015. Through her role as a LinkedIn influencer, HE has been using the LinkedIn to share insights and discuss topics of interest on the professional social network.

For women across the Middle East, LinkedIn provides the following tips to become successful in their careers: 

Choose a professional field that is in high demand. One example is STEAM – science, technology, arts, engineering and math. Not only are these areas crying for talent, but they are also traditionally underrepresented with women. The old stereotypes and prejudices have largely gone away and women have great opportunities here today.

Develop your managerial skills and pursue such positions. Younger and more progressive companies are truly interested in placing women in managerial positions.

Make sure you understand how your emotional intelligence, listening skills and people skills provide you with an advantage. Clearly explain your USPs in persuasive ways in job interviews and other career encounters. 

Build your self-confidence. Get coaching in being politely assertive, so that you are not shy in discussing the skills you have, the value you provide, and the results you have delivered.