Encouraging
women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to take up leadership and entrepreneurial roles, Dubai Quality
Group will hold the 13th cycle of the Emirates Women Award (EWA) ceremony on May 23 at Four Seasons Resort Dubai.
The
award dedicates itself to encouraging the country’s women — UAE nationals and
residents alike — to play their part in corporate affairs, and to recognize and
appreciate the ladies who have been successful in their respective careers or
businesses.
The
annual award accepts applications from female business owners and professionals
from government and private sectors in the nation and welcomes applications
from both UAE nationals and residents.
“As UAE
is focusing on empowering women and entrusting them with top leadership
positions in the country, Dubai Quality Group aims to further encourage women to
come to the forefront and participate in contributing to the country’s
economy,” Fatma Al Mheiri, chairman of Dubai Quality Group, recently told
Gulf News Journal.
The
award was launched under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed al
Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and honorary patron of Dubai Quality Group (DQG), in 2003.
The
winners are selected and verified by an assessment jury after conforming to all
criteria and conditions of the award. The participants will be judged based on
their leadership skills, strategic and financial planning, career
achievements, community contribution and innovation.
“This
year, we have received around 100 applications from women coming from different
nationalities from all over UAE,” Al Mheiri said. “When it comes to
professional women, we have received applications from women working in public
as well as private sectors, from different fields.”
The
theme of the event is “Empowered by the Leadership,” which was chosen according
to the UAE’s vision of empowering women. This year has seen the leaders of the
country assigning crucial roles to the responsibility of women, promoting them
to serve their country and participate in positioning the UAE among the world’s
most developed countries, equipped for excellence and achievement.
“This
kind of support and empowerment from the top level is a vital stepping stone
for women to reach the heights they are aspiring for, and hence the theme — ‘Empowered by the Leadership,’” Al Mheiri said. “Compared to other
countries in the region, women in the UAE, who have the drive and determination
to reach the top, face much lesser challenges on their way due to the
supportive and encouraging leadership of the country.”
The
EWA event, now in its 13th year, continues to unfold and recognize
inspirational women across business sectors. Furthermore, it is a motivator for the
future generation of women to achieve their true potential and thereby empower the
status of women in the society at large.
“We are proud to say that EWA is a unique award
for women in the country, where the applicants are assessed, and the
outstanding applicants are awarded for their accomplishments,” Al Mheiri
said. “We urge women to take benefit of this platform, where they are
recognized for their achievements and will serve as motivation and role models
for other women to follow.”
