Dubai: A new initiative called Qudwa, which means role models in Arabic, has been launched to create a platform for Emirati women role models to share their knowledge, skills and experience with other Emirati women.
Qudwa was launched by Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, president of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The four-month initiative, from September to December, is part of the DWE’s objective of offering Emirati women opportunities to meet accomplished female role models — including ministers and leaders in fields such as media, technology, health, energy and the environment — in both the public and private sectors.
The role models, who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to society, will share their expertise with senior university students, professionals, and new employees through three dedicated platforms: Knowledge Sharing Sessions, A Working Day with Your Role Model, and Meet Your Role Model
Shaikha Manal said: “This initiative was launched to coincide with Emirati Women’s Day, under the theme of ‘Women Partners in Giving’, which was launched by the Mother of the Nation, Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, who dedicated her life to serving the nation and supporting the development of Emirati women.”
The Qudwa initiative reflects the objectives of the Year of Giving initiative launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is inspired by the call made by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the workforce of both the government and private sectors to strengthen humanitarian initiatives throughout the year.
The three different sessions are designed to enable the role models to enlighten Emirati women and girls on how they can lead exemplary professional and personal lives.
In the Knowledge Sharing Session, aimed at university seniors, role models will teach Emirati women about their professional journey, the challenges they had to conquer, and their early career strategies.
In A Working Day with Your Role Model, Emirati women will have the opportunity to spend an entire working day with the role models, and not only learn how to be effective at their workplaces but also learn about the core competencies and skills required in varied jobs.
In Meet Your Role Model, Emirati women will have the opportunity to have an informal meeting with accomplished national icons. They can seek advice in both professional and personal areas, get to know them and gain inspiration on how to live an accomplished life.
Three platforms of Qudwa
Knowledge Sharing Session: Aimed at university seniors, role models will teach Emirati women about their professional journey
A Working Day with Your Role Model: Emirati women will spend working day with the role models
In Meet Your Role Model: Emirati women will have informal meeting with accomplished national icons
