Female climber gets award

When Hafsa Al Ulama climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa with a group of intrepid mountaineer friends last year, the UAE national created quite a stir in the world media. She shattered the Western stereotype image of the Arab woman. That in turn earned her the Emirates Woman of the Year 2002, unveiled here yesterday.

"Climbing the tallest peak in Africa was no picnic. But scaling that height at sub-zero temperatures was a personal challenge I was prepared to take," said Hafsa after the award presentation at JW Marriott hotel yesterday.

Hafsa emerged at the top of a survey of 250 UAE women voted by the staff of Marriott and members of direct sales company Avon Cosmetics, the award's sponsors.

The sponsors plan to make it an annual event to recognise new role models for Arab women and project a positive image.

"There has been a shifting perception about Arab women on equality, professional pursuits and social involvement. The challenge for us is to further improve that image. But we need to be patient. After all, it took the U.S. around 200 years after independence before they allowed women to vote," she said.

But 41-year-old Hafsa is taking her personal challenge to a greater height. She has set her eyes on the Emirates Women's Challenge 2003, which will take her and 17 other female expatriate friends to the Base Camp of Mount Everest (5,300 metres) in Nepal later this year.

In braving the thin air enroute to the world's tallest peak, Hafsa and her team have a more down-to-earth aim: to raise awareness about breast cancer in the UAE and the Arab world.

"Breast cancer bears a stigma among many Arab women especially in the UAE because of old notions. They are reluctant to consult a doctor or even visit hospital before it's too late. I know of three cases of breast cancer in my immediate family.

"My two aunts were diagnosed with last-stage cases. Luckily, my mother submitted herself for an early check-up before it got worse," said Hafsa, who has San Diego State University and London School of Economics diplomas under her belt.

Her group plans to raise at least Dh360,000 to help Tawam Hospital in Al Ain buy a mobile mammography and other cancer diagnostic equipment for rural women.

Ulama, Vice President of Citibank UAE and the first woman to reach that stage, is training for the climb with participants of Emirates Women's Challenge 2003.

"I want to raise awareness for our cause in which donations will go towards a mobile breast cancer screening unit. This is for all the women who are unable to go to the hospital, especially in Al Ain, Al Taawun and other isolated places in the desert. They may be unaware of the hospital services or just unable to get there," she said.

Organisers said that because of the logistics and training – and risks – involved in the Emirates Women's Challenge 2003, the team will be limited to 18 members.

The all-female group has been undergoing rigorous physical training to deal with possible dehydration, altitude sickness and other problems that may come their way, said Jannike Moe Rickett and Julie Amer, the other members of the challenge. The group can be reached at everestuae@hotmail.com.