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In the last few years, there has been a major shift for women in Saudi Arabia, and 2020 has been no exception.

This year alone, it has been revealed that there has been a 120 per cent increase in female employees in the Kingdom.
Per the Saudi Press Agency, it was recorded by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technical Zones (MODON) that 17,000 Saudi women were working in industries by March of this year, meaning that is a 120 per cent increase year on year.
Discussing the achievement, Khalid Al-Salem, director-general of MODON, highlighted that the empowerment of women was at the forefront of the authority’s vision.
READ: A new fund has helped 73,000 Saudi women become homeowners
“MODON continues to empower women both as an employee and as an investor by creating a model environment in partnership with the public and private sectors,” he said.
This development is in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, which is being spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since being launched in 2016, the 2030 Vision has kept women at the forefront and has now made it legal for females to obtain their own licenses, travel alone and attend public sporting events. MODON’s strategy is also a reflection of this.
“MODON succeeded in increasing the number of Saudi women in industrial cities, reaching 17,000 female employees by the end of the first quarter of 2020, compared to 7,860 by the end of 2018,” Al-Salem said of the initiative.
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With endless sun all year round, amazing dining establishments, a plethora of activities and more, it’s easy to see why Dubai is such a popular place for so many to live, including celebrities.
What may have gone under your radar is that there are quite a few celebrities who call Dubai their second home as they own property here, some of which are incredibly luxurious.

With that, EW has rounded-up eight celebrities that you might not have known call Dubai home (sort of).
David and Victoria Beckham

This A-list couple have actually owned property in Dubai in Dubai for over 12 years. The pair bought their first property in the emirate in 2008, a seven-bedroom villa on in Palm Jumeriah which reportedly cost them an estimated Dhs5.9 million. The pair also own an apartment in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for a reported Dhs18 million.
Lindsay Lohan

Rather than being a second home, actress, singer and former EW cover star Lindsay Lohan’s main residence is in Dubai. The star has lived here since 2014 and while there’s not many details on her property, Lohan reportedly lives in the Downtown Dubai area.
Shah Rukh Khan

Legendary Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan owns a home on the Palm which is reportedly worth Dhs10.2 million ($2.8 million).
Giorgio Armani

Perhaps taking the top spot for the most luxurious residence of all is designer Giorgio Armani. He opened the Armani Hotel in Dubai in 2010 and, of course, it’s not just for him, but we’re sure when he’s in town the penthouse suite is always available for this fashion heavyweight.
Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

A-list Bollywood couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan own a luxury villa in Sanctuary Falls in Jumeirah Golf Estates, which the couple bought back in 2013.
Shilpa Shetty

Bollywood actress previously owned an apartment in the Burj Khalifa which received as a gift from her then-husband in 2010. Shetty now reportedly sold the luxe apartment and swapped it for a villa on the Palm.
Madonna

Grammy Award winner Madonna owns a mansion in the World Islands, which comes complete with 1.4km of private beach.
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Back when they were still together, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also reportedly owned a property on the World Islands. Whether they’ve sold it since or one of the parties owns it since their split remains a mystery.
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Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan has shared a brand new family portrait in celebration of the holidays.
Featuring her husband, His Majesty King Abdullah II, and their four children, Crown Prince Hussein, 26, Princess Iman, 24, Princess Salma, 20, and 15-year-old Prince Hashem, the whole family coordinated beautifully.

Queen Rania and her two daughters coordinated in satin and His Majesty and the two princes wore similar ensembles wearing button-down shirts.
Her Majesty, who turned 50 earlier this year, also shared a heartfelt message after what has been an incredibly difficult year for many.

“This year, even as we have kept our distance, we’ve all held our loved ones a little closer in our hearts. Sending prayers for health and happiness to all,” she said.

A couple of months ago to mark her birthday, Queen Rania shared another family portrait in a more casual setting.
In the caption of the photo which was shared to her official Instagram page, Queen Rania shared her delight at being able to spend her 50th birthday with the people she loves most in the world, but acknowledged the major hardships so many people have faced this year in a further interview.
“It has been such a blessing to have all my children around, particularly during the months when Jordan was under a strict lockdown,” she told Hello! UK.
She also took the opportunity to lovingly pay tribute to her husband of 27 years saying he makes her “want to do more and be more… inspiring me in every moment of my life”.
 – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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Luxury fashion house Gucci is leading the efforts to support the most vulnerable communities around the world.
As millions around the world have been affected by this pandemic, Gucci is answering UNICEF’s global for support of COVAX – the vaccine pillar to provide equitable access to, COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.

“Now that a COVID-19 vaccine appears to be ready for use, the true challenge is ensuring that it is procured and distributed fairly,” Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci said. “This is why, under the ‘We Are All In This Together’ call to action we launched in March, we are today announcing a donation of $500,000 to UNICEF USA, to help in securing COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable communities.”

A nurse at the Los Pinos health centre in the Senkata district in El Alto shows a flu vaccine that is injected in the first year of life to babies. The health centre is part of the “Mother and Child-Friendly Hospitals” initiative, in which UNICEF promotes vaccination, adequate nutrition, loving care and breastfeeding. El Alto is the youngest city in Bolivia and is located next to the city of La Paz, at 4000 metres

With the donation provided by Gucci, UNICEF will be able to speed up the work in preparing for the roll-out of a safe vaccine. From the preparation of cold chains to the advance purchasing of supplies, the house will play a crucial role in the distribution of the most vaccine programme the world has seen to date.
From testing kits to oxygen therapy for monitoring patients, UNICEF with the help of Gucci’s funds will take strides in the medical arena to help low and middle-income countries fight the novel coronavirus.
The initiative comes under Gucci’s long term partnership with UNICEF to bring together the global community in the fight against COVID-19.
 – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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With 2020 coming to a close many will be thinking about their New Year’s wishes.
While these are normally something you’d share amongst your loved ones, you can now have it displayed on the world’s tallest building.

If you wish to have a message of hope displayed on the Burj Khalifa for this NYE, you now have a chance to do so.
All you need to do is compose a 35-word message that can inspire the world and the phenomenal tower will display a selected set of wishes as Dubai welcomes 2021.

To enter the competition you simply need to comment on the post below with the hashtag #BurjWishes2021.

A couple of weeks ago it was announced that the fireworks and laser show at the Burj Khalifa will take place on December 31, starting at 8.30pm, with the New Year countdown beginning at 11.58pm.
In line with safety precautions, thermal cameras will be present, social distancing measures will also be in place for those attending in person and regular disinfection and cleaning will take place. In particular, for families attending, Burj Park will be a dedicated space for them with screens, food and beverage stands and more to see in the New Year.
The whole spectacle will also be live-streamed for those staying home.
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After months of essential restrictions in place in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, Abu Dhabi has announced that all activities in the emirate will be returning to normal in two weeks.
In a statement from the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee via the Abu Dhabi Media Office, it was confirmed that “all economic, tourism, cultural and entertainment activities in the emirate will fully resume”.

It was also noted that the current precautionary guidelines would be “enhanced to preserve all health gains achieved” which includes social distancing and mask-wearing.

Following the success achieved by implementing precautionary measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 and maintain a low rate of cases, Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 Pandemic has begun working with authorities to resume all activities in two weeks pic.twitter.com/pCnmisrsKx
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) December 9, 2020

The committee also reiterated its commitment to routine testing and tracking of the virus.
READ: Abu Dhabi residents and tourists no longer require an alcohol license
“The committee reaffirmed its commitment to continue the efforts made to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, including active tracing and testing programmes, and the humanitarian efforts that are supporting social stability,” their statement said.
This comes after the UAE capital reopened its borders to tourists at the end of September, three months after neighbouring emirate Dubai.
Since then those who are arriving into Abu Dhabi from international destinations – whether they are tourists or residents – must quarantine in their homes or a hotel room for 14 days even if they test negative for COVID-19. Travellers have also had to wear tracking wristbands during their 14-day quarantine.
At present, it appears the 14-day quarantine is still in place.
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Since the borders reopened back in July, visitor numbers to Dubai have been increasing with many tourists flocking to the emirate each month.
If you’re currently considering travelling to Dubai in the next couple of months, now may be the time to do it as Emirates Airline is currently offering free hotel stays to those who travel with them.

In partnership with Dubai Tourism, the airline has launched a ‘your first nights are on us‘ initiative which will give travellers a complimentary stay at the JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay.
For those flying economy, you’ll receive one complimentary night at the hotel. Meanwhile, those flying business or first class will receive a two‑night stay with an upgrade to next room category.

Speaking on the new initiative, Dubai Tourism’s Director-General Helal Saeed Almarri explained it was part of the strategy to mark Dubai as the “destination of choice this winter”.
READ: Emirates is offering COVID-19 tests to travellers at a discounted rate
“Going into 2021, Dubai will continue to strengthen its offering for business and leisure visitors with the launch of new facilities and attractions, as well as the return of world-class conferences, events and festivals including the iconic Dubai Shopping Festival, and the first-ever World Expo to be held in this region,” he said.
“We are pleased to work closely with our strategic partner Emirates on its latest global campaign, as we look forward to welcoming international travellers to make Dubai their destination of choice this winter.”
In order to redeem the offer, you’ll need to book your travel by December 23, 2020 and ensure your travel dates are between December 6, 2020 and February 28, 2021. In addition, you’ll need to email Emirates (emiratesoffer@emirates.com) with your booking confirmation number, as well as your email address, phone number and all of the travellers in your booking.
And, of course, the Dubai-based airline is ensuring their passengers have peace of mind with their multi-risk insurance alongside their current COVID-19 coverage for travellers.
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As things continue to progress and change for women in Saudi Arabia, a new fund has been launched in order to help women in the Kingdom become homeowners.
Per the Saudi Press Agency, the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) in Saudi Arabia has enabled more than 73,000 women in the Kingdom to obtain mortgages to go on to buy their first home.

Speaking on the incredible achievement for Saudi women, Mansour bin Madhi, general supervisor of the REDF, explained that since the inception of the initiative, it has always been in the plan to help females across the Kingdom.
Since Saudi men make up half of the population in the country, it’s imperative to offer support to aid in the accelerating development, Madhi said.
READ: 7 history-making moments that occurred for Saudi women in the last few monthsREAD: More driving schools for women in Saudi Arabia to open in 2021

Under the Saudi Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, one of the main priorities is the homeownership of citizens in the Kingdom – with the aim of reaching 60 per cent by the end of 2020 and 70 per cent by the end of 2030.
A key part of this, under the REDF, opening the door for Saudi women to gain access to a subsidised mortgage loan scheme, in turn helping them to get onto the property ladder.
Changes for women in the Kingdom are also a major focus in the Vision 2030 scheme. Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince unveiled in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.
READ: Saudi Arabia makes its first recruitment of an all-female paramedic team
Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.
Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.
In 2020 alone, there have been many notable history-making moments and appointments in Saudi Arabia paving the way for women.
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