Life & Style | People

First ladies: Women at the helm

Manjari Saxena asks some females at the top of their game how today's women can better themselves in all spheres

By Manjari Saxena, Features Writer
Published: 18:20 November 20, 2009

The pioneer

Kiran Bedi, the first woman to join the Indian police service. Now retired from her post as director general of police, she is known for her revolutionary work in Indian jails. She has also served as police adviser in the UN peacekeeping department

Women need space to grow. We are holding back women. Discrimination against the girl child is a deprivation of society. There is a clear distinction in the way we bring up boys and girls - in their schooling, healthcare, training, quality of life, freedom of thought, mobility - sometimes consciously. We make them dependent because it suits certain sections of society to keep them down. This means much of the human potential is underdeveloped. They are the givers of the next generation. An unhealthy, sad woman will bear unhealthy children.

To be more successful women need the belief in self-reliance! And this belief goes back to their upbringing and environment. Whether linked to economic independence or not, she is choosing to do and be what she wants-she is not making unethical choices but legitimate ones.

Women look at decision-making as a different process than men. Because of the socialisation, decision-making for women is much more rounded and altruistic.

I've loved working in a male-dominated sphere. I was able to make inroads and show others the way - that this is the way to police, the way to correct and reform. It doesn't always need money. It needs people, participation, cooperation, ownership and the will to lead the way and then follow it. My challenges helped me burrow my way through. It is to be different and make that difference with self-confidence and self-reliance.

My advice to young women would be, be self-reliant first, before you think of anything else. Self-reliance is self-esteem, self-respect, confidence and your path to survival. This way you are empowering yourself and others. But if you are a liability to yourself, you would be a liability to others and they have a choice to reject you. Give them a chance to rely on you.

The businesswoman

Fatima Al Jaber is COO of Jaber Group, UAE

Emirati women have come a long way from where we were. And generally women are doing well. I think about 60 per cent of university graduates today are women. About 30 per cent of government posts are held by women. In a way, we have changed our society. We have managed to place ourselves as partners in work and as hard workers in different fields.

My own motivation comes through society. You see role models and you receive encouragement from your family, your leaders and your superiors. Women need to be treated fairly. In some parts of the world, they are treated as secondary citizens. Women are the ones who create and bring up a family. We should educate them.

To girls today I would say, they are lucky to be born at a time in which the society is changing. They need to make the most of this and their education. They have tools such as the internet, which has changed the way we look at the world. They should make the most of this.

The trailblazer

Carol Chayou: Chinese businesswoman and finalist in Cartier Women's Initiative Awards

There aren't many women from China in business but there will soon be more. You see other women and you get inspired as well. The Cartier awards look at three factors — sustainability, social impact and innovation. From the point of view of innovation, I was selected because yak fibre is unique to the fashion world; from the sustainability point of view because we have been in the business for three years and still growing; from the view of social impact because we have 2,600 herders and 150 knitters.

We need more women in leadership positions. They can handle being part of a family and being a professional. Many face the challenge of juggling home and work.

The politician

Sahar Al Sallab, assistant minister for development and investment in internal trade, Egypt
For a woman, education is the first step to knowing her rights and improving her economic condition. It will help their role in the family, society, the economy and their country. Culture can encourage one to work harder because it may be a handicap. Many women have proved themselves to be technically superior and have become independent and successful people.
In ten years time I see Arab women moving ahead because they are being encouraged by their governments. I can see them playing pivotal roles in the economic development of their countries.

The educator

Shaikha Saeeda Al Khalifa, vice-president, University College of Bahrain

Women need to improve themselves through education. Without that, they cannot attain success. Some cultures hinder the growth of women and this must change. We see a lot more women in business-related courses. Leaders should concentrate on providing equal opportunities for boys and girls. Education brings awareness and this helps women do better not just at home and with family but also at work.

Plus a male view!

Dr Hashim Hussain, head of UNIDO office in Bahrain

We have a big responsibility in bridging the gap between men and women and establishing equality.

Traditionally, we have been told that men are the breadwinners and that they should have the power to make decisions, and women have helped to sustain this belief. However, in this part of the world women have always held high-ranking posts.

Economic empowerment for women is very important in society today. Mothers need to understand that a daughter too can protect and earn for the family.

The company director

Heba Fatani, corporate and communications director, Kingdom Holdings, Saudi Arabia

I come from a family that believed everyone should be educated and goal-oriented and be able to achieve those goals. It not only supported but pushed me because it felt a woman must have financial independence.

As for society, things are changing. Women are progressing. This requires visionaries and we have been blessed with a government led by a progressive leader such as King Abdullah. We are already seeing the merits of empowering women. We want growth and development and women can play a major role in that. More funds are being provided to educate women and more sectors are opening up for them. At Kingdom Holdings, I have noticed more women gaining acceptance — as long as they do their job right.

I think women can make a difference if they have education and knowledge. These tools will make them go forward, identify a goal and find the focus to achieve it. There is a need for women leaders and where there is need, there is a way. And this will encourage women. You may not do something for fear of losing but when you see there are more like yourself who have succeeded, you are bound to feel encouraged.

I want to encourage Saudi professional women to get more involved and proactive generally.

The education guru

Husnia Karimi, HR manager of University College of Bahrain

The Bahraini government encourages women not just in education but in various sectors of society — in government, business and in various other activities. In the next ten years, women will be in a position to lead these sectors. Now the Bahraini woman knows what she wants and is clear about how to get it. We have seen a huge development in the country and we are sure it is going to continue.