March 8 marks International Women’s Day- a day that is recognised annually around the world, championing female empowerment and celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. As a female-led business ourselves, this is a topic that we are really proud to support, and this year we wanted to recognise some of the fantastic women that make a difference right here in Abu Dhabi.
Read our exclusive interviews below with Arabella Willing, Marine Biologist and Head of Conservation at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Mariam Khaled Al Kindi, Manager of Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts, Melanie Raymer, Marketing & Communications Manager at Make-A-Wish UAE, and Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF).
Arabella Willing, Marine Biologist and Head of Conservation at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Q: As the head of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s Corporate Social Responsibility department and its Green Team, how would you describe the work you and the team carry out every day?
Arabella: Our purpose is to care for the environment and minimize the hotel’s impact. This comes in many different forms, from finding ways to reduce our water and energy consumption, to patrolling the beach to look for turtle nests and rescuing stranded animals.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Arabella: Another big part of my job is to talk to educate the community to care for the environment too. Abu Dhabi is a very extreme place in terms of its climate – our local wildlife is especially vulnerable, and our energy and water consumption is among the highest in the world. It’s important to be mindful every day and careful not to be destructive or wasteful. In the wise words of Sheikh Zayeed “We stress that conservation of the environment is not, and must not be seen as, a matter only for government or officials. It is something that concerns us all. This is a responsibility of all, for every member of our society, both nationals and other residents”. The feeling that you have inspired someone, and brought about a change that’s benefiting us all, is hard to beat.
Q: Can you tell us about one of your favourite projects, and why was it significant?
Arabella: Last year we relocated a turtle nest, baby turtles drown if the eggs are washed over by the waves, and this nest was too close to the sea. It’s a difficult decision because moving the nest can often reduce the chance of hatching success, as the process can damage the embryos. With the help of NYUAD we put a night vision camera on the nest and captured the moment when 79 baby turtles emerged from the sand and ran to the sea. It’s possible that none of them would have hatched if we hadn’t intervened and that made months of early mornings worthwhile.
Q: How can members of the public get involved with your work?
Arabella: Anyone is welcome to join the early morning beach patrols from Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, just send me an email [email protected] and ask to be put onto the “Turtle Alert List”. Or they can join the Emirates Natural History Group (abudhabi.enhg.org)
Q: What would you describe as your biggest strength?
Arabella: Exuberance – I come from a family that never fails to find a silver lining, we are a cheerful bunch, always looking for something to celebrate. There is plenty to be concerned about when it comes to the environment, but there is much more that is still worth fighting for and I’m filled with wonder every day I’m out in nature.
Q: How would you describe the importance of International Women’s Day?
Arabella: For me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come. There was a time when female scientists were not taken seriously, and I feel incredibly privileged that this is not the case for me. It’s important to be grateful for those who fought to change opinions in the past, and to think of ways we can continue to build on their legacy.
Q: What changes would you like to see for women?
Arabella: I would like to see more gender-neutral toys and play. I have two older brothers, so I had a lot of hand-me-down “boy’s toys”, I was always building things and outside getting dirty. I had dolls and more stereotypically “girl’s toys” as well, but I had a choice of what I wanted to play with, and I wonder if I hadn’t had that experience, if I would be as comfortable as I am now, getting messy and working in a male dominated field. I would like children to feel that they can follow the path they are drawn to, and to not feel worried that it’s “for girls” or “for boys”.
I wish women and girls were more confident of their intellect, ability and power to bring about change. I would also like to wish the female turtles good luck for their upcoming nesting season (I know – I’m obsessed!).
Mariam Khaled Al Kindi, Manager of Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts?
Mariam: Under the visionary leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, the Emirates Red Crescent President’s Assistant for Women’s Affairs, Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts organisation was founded in 2006 – to offer vocational training aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of underprivileged women in the UAE.
We know that the organisation expands on their crafts, teaches women new technical skills and supplies them with the raw materials and designs to create culturally inspired products that are sold locally and internationally.
Q: How would you describe the work that the Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts carries out each day?
Mariam: We provide women in the community a safe haven to be productive and creative. We enable them to earning a living while sustaining traditional crafts from the comfort of our workshop or their homes.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Mariam: The most rewarding part of my job is that I daily get to see my team and our craftswomen proud of their work and passionate about what they do. We all work together to improve people’s lives and that’s a fulfilling and challenging task.
Q: Can you tell us about one of your favourite projects, and why was it special?
Mariam: My favorite project was actually setting up the organization and institutionalizing Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts as a developed non-profit entity. I believe with a good foundation Al Ghadeer can grow to become an integral part of our community’s development, especially as an alternative means of employment. Also, integrating Al Ghadeer with the wider community makes the sustainability of traditional crafts more likely in the future.
Q: Can you estimate how many women have benefited from Al Ghadeer UAE Arts?
Mariam: Al Ghadeer was established more than a decade ago, 2006, and hundreds of women have benefited. I would say that since then maybe 600 women have benefited. These women also take care of their families where some take care of more than 10 people alone.
Q: How can people support Al Ghadeer UAE Arts?
Mariam: Buying our products directly benefits our craftswomen. Aside from buying our handmade products, we welcome volunteers with different skills and backgrounds. We always need photographers, designers, marketers and more to improve our work.
Q: Do you have a favourite moto?
Mariam: #ByCraftingWeEmpower and #LetsFlourishTogether
In Arabic, “Al Ghadeer” means a body of water that forms on the ground after rain or a flood. People, animals and trees of the desert especially cherish water as they can nourish themselves to survive. We strive to have Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts as the place where the lives of craftswomen and crafts in the UAE flourish. We fully devote ourselves to empowering women through sustainable crafts and are committed to investing in a better world. Under our guidance, the women gain self-confidence from their newly discovered talents, independence from abusive relationships, and most importantly financial security because they can now support themselves and their children’s health and education aspirations. As the old Emirati proverb says, “a drop on a drop becomes a “Ghadeer” and continuous improvement and hard work however small results in a greater good.
Q: How would describe the importance of International Women’s Day?
Mariam: International Women’s Day is a great day to celebrate the solidarity of women everywhere in the world. It is a day to highlight women’s successes and pledge to tackle women’s challenges.
Q: What changes would you like to see for women within communities?
Mariam: My vision is to see more women as contributing members of the community expressing themselves through arts and crafts and are proud of their identity and work. Women have the power to positivity transform our world, especially when they are equipped with skills and knowledge to gain financial independence.
My wish for women everywhere is for them to live a life of dignity and love that is of their own choosing.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General at Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF
Q: How long you’ve been working as Director General with the EWS-WWF?
Laila: I started working with Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF (WWF) over a decade ago and after an exciting and challenging journey that now feels like the blink of an eye, I was appointed Director General last summer. I’m incredibly humbled and delighted to be trusted with the important role to protect the UAE’s natural heritage. As an organisation, our focus is delivering high impact, science based, robust conservation solutions which contribute to conserving the environment for the wellbeing of society and future generations.
Q: How would you describe the work that the EWS-WWF carries out each day?
Laila: At EWS-WWF, we believe that our economy, society and environment can thrive in unison – and together we can build a prosperous future in harmony with nature. We help drive collective action by partnering and connecting policy makers, businesses, government entities, the scientific community, academia, other not-for-profits and the public. In the present and immediate future, we continue to be particularly focused on creating opportunities for cross-collaboration, partnership and community-driven initiatives, and to support one of the key pillars of the Year of Zayed – to ensure sustainable development. Our work in the UAE currently focuses on driving action on climate change, biodiversity conservation and wildlife trade in addition to environmental education and partnering with the business and government communities to drive sustainable practices.
Apart from my passion for the environment I am so grateful to be in a position to make a real difference to UAE’s wildlife and natural resource conservation efforts and to contribute to upholding our founding father, the Late Sheikh Zayed’s vision of a sustainable environment. I hope that what I do inspires more girls and women to love what they do, and do what they love.
Q: Can you tell us about one of your favourite projects, and why was it significant?
Laila: The very first project that I spearheaded at EWS-WWF was the Ecological Footprint Initiative. Through this project, we partnered with UAE Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority and the Global Footprint Network and developed the UAE Indoor Lighting Standard.
Another project dear to me is our work in the Wadi Wuraya Mountain Protected Area in partnership with Fujairah Municipality to restore, protect and sustainably manage its freshwater ecosystems.
Q: How important is it for people in Abu Dhabi to do their bit to protect the environment?
Laila: Our world is changing rapidly. Our planet and humanity are at a critical crossroads. Sadly, we face an issue when it comes to resource consumption. Our demand has increased so greatly that we would need 1.5 Earths to sustain it, and if no action is taken, we will soon require two Earths well before 2050. From our high water and energy consumption, to food wastage and over-reliance on plastics, these actions are pushing our natural resources beyond their limits and placing a huge pressure on our environment.
Contrary to public perception however, being environmentally responsible is not difficult to achieve; all one needs is a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and a determined spirit. There are so many ways to take responsibility for our everyday habits by making small, practical changes that will truly make a meaningful difference to our environment and economy in the long-run. Seek out green products and services, demand better from your favourite brands, be more vocal about these matters and support one another with helpful tips and tricks. Most importantly, don’t give up- every drop makes the ocean, every person’s effort counts.
Q: Why is International Women’s Day important to you?
Laila: Over the years, women in our region have demonstrated their ability to take charge and make important contributions in politics, economy and society. They have also played a leading role in protecting the environment – working with many NGOs, government entities and private sector champions. At EWS-WWF, in particular, we never cease to be moved by the dynamic and vibrant women who have strengthened the UAE’s efforts to preserve local environmental heritage, who actively participate in voluntary work and passionately spearhead environmental causes.
Q: What changes would you like to see for women within communities?
Laila: I am proud to belong to a country that values the contributions of women to society. The UAE champions and undertakes initiatives to empower the women of this land and has recognized the crucial role that they have to play in the sustainable development of the nation. I urge my fellow sisters to make use of this opportunity to work towards a more egalitarian future.
Melanie Raymer, Marketing & Communications Manager at Make-A-Wish UAE
Q: What is the Make-A-Wish Foundation® UAE?
Melanie: The Make-A-Wish Foundation® UAE is part of an international non-profit organization with 42 affiliate offices around the world, in nearly 50 countries. A wish is granted every 22 minutes, on average, somewhere in the world. In October 2003 the Make-A-Wish Foundation became the first office for the Gulf Region. The Foundation is led by President and Lifetime Patron, HH Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Al Nahyan, wife of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed, Advisor to the President of the UAE. In April 2016, the Make-A-Wish UAE office granted their 2000th wish which was granted in Dubai.
Our mission is to grant the wishes of children diagnosed with critical illnesses between the ages of 3-18 years old to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Q: How would you describe the work that Make-A-Wish UAE carries out each day?
Melanie: Life-changing. When a wish comes true it creates strength, hope and transformation. We have a unique ability to transform a child and family’s life during some of their most difficult trials. A wish creates an opportunity for hope and the ability to experience life beyond illness.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Melanie: Seeing a wish come true! It is an amazing experience to see the happiness that a wish coming true brings to a child and very rewarding to be able to bring together those who need support.
Q: Can you estimate how many women have benefited from the foundation?
Melanie: As far as wish granting goes, roughly 50/50 ratio of girls and boys. We have many women who volunteer, we have 6 female members of staff in a small team and of course our wonderful inspirational patron HH Sheikha Sheikha. Women have been instrumental in starting up this foundation in the Middle East and having the vision to carry it through to the present day.
Q: What do you think are your three top strengths?
Melanie: Belief in what I do, the ability to connect people and build relationships, perseverance.
Q: How would describe the importance of International Women’s Day?
Melanie:It is a time to recognize women, celebrate their achievements and their strength. A great reminder to all of us of the important role that women play in society as daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers.
Q: What changes would you like to see for women within communities?
Melanie: I believe women have a voice – and we should listen. There should always be equal opportunities for women in education and careers. Women make great leaders and role models as they play such an important role in raising the next generation. There is a wonderful African proverb that says ‘If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a nation. ‘ A testimony to the vital influence that women have in their homes and communities. We should all work towards being strong confident members of society, men and women together.
