I am now accepting nominations for Emirati Women Leaders, and I would enjoy hearing from my friends here online or anyone who comes across my blog.
I am studying Emirati women’s leadership and cultural change on a Fulbright research and study grant in the United Arab Emirates. I am affiliated with the UAE University
The UAEU ethics board has formally approved my research titled “Emirati Women’s Leadership and Shaping Culture.” The purpose of this case study is to find how Emirati women negotiate their roles as leaders by identifying their inspirations and barriers. This includes the collective capacity building they currently employ and how their increase in leadership shapes Emirati culture. My goal is to write an academic article and possibly a book, inshallah, about the Emirates and the amazing women I have met and been inspired by. All of the participants of surveys and interviews will be kept confidential.
To begin my research about Emirati Women’s Leadership I need to first get nominations of Emirati women who are seen as leaders in their fields. I am requesting nominations for the following categories:
Health Care
Education
Government
Law
Business
Urban Planning
Journalism
Women’s Halaqas (ladies religious circles)
Children/ Family Programs
Engineering
I’m hoping you will contact me to nominate leaders from any of the above categories, along with their contact information such as email or mobile number.
My goal is to tell the story of the successes of Emirati women and how their leadership shapes and retains Emirati culture. I first visited the UAE in December 2008 (you can check my old posts for more info), and was impressed with the moderate Islamic path the nation chooses. There are people from 152 countries and various faiths working here. In fact, native Emiratis are a minority in their own country (roughly 20% of the population). There are churches, gudwaras (Sikh temples), Hindu temples and more. Emiratis and their government advocate the advancement, education, employment, voting, and equal opportunities for women in government jobs and private sectors.
Their moderate Islamic views, coupled with a great deal of influence due to oil wealth give me hope that there is a bright future of advocating coexistence and flexibility by this understated Gulf Nation. While the UAE is known for Dubai, and its grandiose buildings such as the world’s tallest Burj Khalifa, or the indoor ski slope in the desert of the Emirates mall, there is so much more culturally and technologically here. Women are advocates for public awareness campaigns, green technology, political discourse regarding women, and so much more.
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| Sign From Abu Dhabi General Women’s Union |
The ability of Emirati women to balance family, education, and employment while actively defining, retaining and even changing cultural values is fascinating. I have spent my time here attending debates, lectures, leadership seminars, and much more related to Emirati women and culture. There is such an amazing swelling of women in the workforce, while simultaneously strengthening family and cultural values. As societies we are constantly defining and establishing new parameters for interaction or social mores; the Arab and Islamic world is no different. I hope to gain important insights into inspirations and successes of women in the Emirates to share them, and show others the amazing strength, power, resilience and determination of Emirati women caring for their families, jobs, and nation in a country known for men, big buildings and sand… There is an intriguing and inspirational undercurrent.
I am also hoping to make contacts with women’s groups in all of the Emirates, to speak with and receive nominations for women’s leaders representing all of the Emirates. Please let me know of any contacts, or women’s organizations, (for example like the Abu Dhabi General Women’s Association, or the Dubai Women’s Associaton), by replying to this email or contacting me in any way. We can also meet for coffee, or tea, as you like.
Thanks for your time.
Emiratis have always been so helpful, kind and friendly. I hope to pass on this information and share with people the inspiration I find here. Please call or email me regarding nominations of Emirati women leaders, or Emirati women’s organizations I can visit.
Erica “Aisha” Charves
Fulbright Grantee to the UAE 2011-2012
Erica.Charves@uaeu.ac.ae
Mobile: 050-835-6203
Website: http://opinionateit.blogspot.com
