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    International Women’s Day 2023: Meet the 10 women redefining the region’s creative scene

    Lifestyle

    by Camille Macawili
    2 hours ago

    To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, Emirates Woman spotlights on the incredible women across the region redefining their respective industries and challenging the status quo.
    Scroll through to discover the 10 next-gen faces to watch and names to know.
    Fatma Husam, Entreprenuer

    Fatma Husam is a 28-year-old Emirati entrepreneur and influencer with more than half a million Instagram following. Proving she’s more than just a pretty face, Husam is also the founder of Kamin, a luxe abaya label loved by many for its sophisticated silhouettes and contemporary touches. On top of that, she is currently busy building a creative community space called MNBAIN, launching soon at DIFC.
    Nora Mansour Samawi and Amina Debbiche, Co-founders of The Open Crate

    Nora Mansour Samawi and Amina Debbiche are pioneering the future of art collection management with its first-of-its-kind platform, The Open Crate, that allows curators and collectors to digitally store and keep an inventory of physical assets. Through this, Cultural Engineers Samawi and Debbiche aim to document and preserve the cultural legacy by focusing on the Middle East and Africa.
    Rabah Saeid, Founder and Creative Director of Styled Habitat

    Dubai-based Rabah Saeid founded Styled Habitat in 2016, an award-winning interior architectural studio that boasts a portfolio of exclusive VIP clients from art collectors to entrepreneurs. With each project, Saeid puts a sophisticated touch and thoughtful approach to design to many residential, hospitality and commercial spaces in the UAE.
    Sarah Alagroobi, Founder of The Letters Project

    Sarah Alagroobi is the founder of The Letters Project, an online platform that foregrounds the anthropological and sociocultural climate of the Arab region through anonymous letters. The Emirati multi-disciplinary artist, designer and educator puts forward her knowledge and insights on Khaleeji culture and sparks conversations on notions of Emirati stereotypes within both Middle Eastern and Western contexts through her practice and social media – specifically on TikTok with her growing number of following of 21.9K.
    “I hope that my beliefs in advocating for cultural shifts are going to contribute to changes that will speak to the people, for the people, by the people.” Alagroobi tells Emirates Woman.
    Emaan Abbass, Founder of Ketish

    Emaan Abbass is a Dubai-based Egyptian-descent feminine health advocate and founder of Ketish, UAE’s first feminine wellness brand. Launched in 2021 and backed by Huda and Mona Kattan, it provides highly effective and multi-beneficial wellness formulas that are empowering and luxurious in every way.
    By entering the business of health and beauty, Abbass aims to create a safe space and empower women to gain a deeper understanding of topics we normally shy away from – all things body, arousal, desire, and wellness.
    Hessa Al Suwaidi, Designer and Women’s Well-being Advocate

    Emirati textile printed designer and women’s well-being advocate Hessa Al Suwaidi has worked with some of the biggest names in the fashion and art industries. Last year, Al Suwaidi was featured on Prada’s Ramadan and Eid campaigns called “Parallel Harmonies” alongside mountaineer Raha Moharrak and actor Rakan Bin Abdel Wahid. Notably, she has also done a collaboration highlighting traditional Emirati weaving with Bentley Motors for Dubai Design Week.
    Through her projects and works, the young creative expresses her cultural identity and pushes forth her regional roots and inspires women of her to follow their dreams.
    Lina Malaika, Filmmaker and Co-Founder of Clay

    A natural creative, (thanks to years of film production experience that runs in the family) Lina Malaika is an established filmmaker and creative consultant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Malaika has worked on feature projects for publications in collaboration with luxury and contemporary brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chopard to name a few.
    More recently, she has co-founded Clay with designer Farah Hammad – a modeling agency that champions fresh talent by pushing for visibility to a new generation of faces to boost local careers.
    Maya Chantout, Creative Director

    Syrian creative director Maya Chantout is a revitalizing breath of fresh air.
    Chantout boasts of an impressive line up of design stints at Hermes, Chloe and Celine, as well as being distinguished by LVMH for her graduation collection. Currently she works as an art director and image consultant for fashion brands such as Mirae, Casablanca and Miu Miu where her distinctive bold energy, eclectic spirit and extravagant style have an evident influence. Her unique aesthetic reflects a collage of the two culture she’s been immersed in – from her childhood in Syria and her adult life in Paris.
    “I try my best to encourage people around me to respect their uniqueness and be true to themselves.” Chantout shares in Emirates Woman’s The Confidence Issue.
    Hala Khayat, Regional Director of Art Dubai

    In 2020, Hala Khayat joined Art Dubai as Regional Director where her extensive experience in the Middle Eastern market – specializing in Arab, Iranian and Turkish art – allows her to develop strategies for local and regional collectors’ long-term engagement, one of the driving factors for the continued remarkable success of Art Dubai.
    Khayat is also an advocate for Syria’s art community, which continues to play an integral role by championing young Syrian artists.
    Butheina Hamed Kazim, Founder of Cinema Akil

    Butheina Hamed Kazim is an Emirati founder of Cinema Akil, the Gulf’s first independent arthouse cinema in the GCC region.
    Without a doubt, Kazim has significantly contributed to the UAE’s arts and culture scene,  amplifying current sociocultural and political issues in the region through film festivals and program series. Her love for film has led her to many milestone moments including “Producing the short documentary Letters to Palestine, winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2010” she tells Emirates Woman.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram More

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    Three empowered women that Etihad Airways has championed over the years

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    5 hours ago

    The national airline of the UAE has made history with various inspiring women making their mark in the world of aviation.
    With women playing a pivotal role in aviation, Etihad Airways continues to uplift them throughout the organisation in different departments as they inspire future generations.
    As on March 8, 2023, we celebrate International Women’s Day, we take a look at the leading women at the airline who have been pioneers in this field.
    Dr. Nadia BastakiFirst-ever female Chief at Etihad Airways

    Dr. Bastaki first joined the national airline in 2007 and became the first UAE national female to a specialist in aviation medicine. By playing a key role in developing the airline’s Medical facility, she has now made it the region’s leading aeromedical centre. With over 20 years of experience as a medical practitioner, she also comes with a wealth of executive leadership capabilities and continues to provide overall clinical guidance for the airline. In November 2021, Etihad Airways announced her as Chief Human Resources, Organisational Development and Asset Management Officer, becoming the first-ever female chief at the national airline of the UAE. “I was the first woman to be promoted to the executive level within Etihad which was a big milestone in my career. Most importantly, it’s what difference you can make and how you as a woman can contribute to the success of the UAE,” she previously told Emirates Woman about breaking down barriers. “
    Captain Aisha Al MansooriFirst Female Emirati Captain in a commercial Airline

    The groundbreaking appointment for Captain Aisha has come after years of hard work and training in August 2022. Captain Aisha has gone on to climb the ranks, completing the required flying hours to become Senior First Officer and she also become the first female UAE national to fly the superjumbo passenger aircraft the Airbus A380. Reaching new heights (quite literally), Captain Aisha Al Mansoori has become the UAE’s first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline. The 33-year-old has risen to the ranks of Captain, becoming the first Emirati female to do so for a commercial airline, having completed a rigorous training programme with Etihad and undergone the requisite flying hours to be considered for the title.
    Mariam Al QubaisiHead of Sustainability at Etihad Aviation Group

    As the Head of Sustainability at Etihad Aviation Group, Al Qubaisi has led the sustainability division and found solutions to ensure the planet is always kept in mind first. From scaling up with commercially viable pathways to understanding the approach to green hydrogen production. As head of Sustainability & Business Excellence in Etihad, she supported a pro-sustainability transformation within the organization, making it a thought leader in sustainable aviation focused on cleaner fuels, operational efficiency and carbon offsets. She is an active sustainability expert serving task forces within the GCAA, IATA and ICAO. In addition to her position at the airline, she has worked as an instructor in the department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Zayed University where she taught Environmental and Natural Sciences.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    Meet The Firefighting Rugby Player Proving You Really Can Do It All

    Zinhle Ndawonde represents South Africa in both sevens and fifteens international women’s rugby. And if that isn’t heroic enough, she pays the bills working as a firefighter at King Shaka International Airport. Here are some nuggets of inspiration we can all use in our lives.
    Be True To Yourself
    Most teenagers do everything they can to fit in. Not Zinhle. In high school, with no girls’ rugby team to try out for, she played on the boys’ team – while other girls were “looking all cute in short skirts on the sidelines”. It paid off.

    READ MORE: “I Trained With The Blitzboks — And This Is What Happened”
    Have The Audacity To Dream Big
    “I grew up in Inanda township in KwaZulu-Natal and there was so much stuff going on,” says Zinhle. “Teenage pregnancies, gangs, drugs, alcohol. I didn’t want to be involved in any of that, I wanted something else for myself. But I knew that if I didn’t distract and distance myself, I might as well just accept that as my future. I used my passion, my rugby, to find my way out.” 
    Make Your Own Luck
    Zinhle had the opportunity to train with the Springbok squad leading up to the 2014 World Cup. But she didn’t make the cut into the final World Cup team. So she started training harder and removed distractions that she believed were holding her back. Two years later, she was called up to the SA team. 

    READ MORE: 6 Sportswomen Who Totally Changed The Game
    Share The Good
    As an adidas ambassador, Zinhle is on a mission to create opportunities for young women and girls. “adidas has inspired the legacy I want to leave, which is all about aiding young athletes from poor backgrounds. I’m living proof that it doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you’re prepared to put in the hard work,” she says.
    Get inspired by Zinhle on Insta: @zinhlendawonde

    👏 Proud Fans Of Women’s Sport 👏
    The gender pay gap in sport is real. And massive. Sponsors will tell you it’s because fans watch men’s sport more than women’s. We say: challenge accepted. We’ve chosen to spotlight sportswomen who are killing it on the field, court, floor or track – because the world of sport is full of sheroes who deserve to be recognised and rewarded for being at the top of their game. #SAWomenInSport

    READ MORE: Is There Gender Parity For Women In Sports?

    READ MORE ON: International Women’s Day SA Women In Sport Women Empowerment More