Originally from Iraq, I was raised by loving and caring parents who instilled values of respect and concern for others, among my four siblings. My father Badr Abu Gulal ran his own business, doing civil and infrastructure projects in Iraq. Thanks to his job — which meant being posted in different countries— I grew up in an international environment that taught me to integrate and respect other cultures.
Growing up between Europe and the Middle East enabled me to gain the positive aspects of both cultures.
I completed my education in the UK and the Netherlands. I hold two degrees; one in social legal studies and the other in law (LLB). The underlying aspects of problem-solving, justice and humanitarian principles attracted me to pursue a career in law.
A few years ago I met my husband, Jaafar Al Taie, who runs an energy operations management consultancy business. He is a major supporter of what I do. We are both ambitious by nature and encourage each other to keep achieving more.
I joined Reed Smith in 2008, as a corporate lawyer. There is a belief in the corporate world, that law firms do not have anything else in their management portfolio except filing law suits. But I don’t agree with that. Reed Smith, for one, is a shining example. In 2002, the company formed the Women’s Initiative Network of Reed Smith (WINRS) with the main intention of helping its female attorneys develop their careers and build concrete business opportunities.
Though the WINRS is a platform for attorneys to develop their careers, I felt it could be broadened to help women in general. So early this year, I identified the Iraqi Widow’s Empowerment Projects undertaken by the Iraq Health Aid Organisation (IHAO) to get the WINRS to support it in the UAE. It is surprising to know that there are around one million widows and 4.5 million orphans in Iraq.
The reason I choose the IHAO is because of its well-established projects and, more importantly, that fact that it serves all the people of Iraq without concentrating on any particular group or sect.
I organised charity bazaars and fund-raisers in Abu Dhabi. The main purpose was to raise awareness about the conditions in Iraq and I was touched by the support we received at the event from various women in the UAE. What I realised from this event was that women tend to stick together when they see other women in distress.
Hawra Abu Gulal, my youngest sister and I, have always shared a close relationship.
She helped me organise the charity event for the Iraqi widows’ empowerment.
I also offer free (pro bono) legal advice for people who cannot afford legal services. It’s always important to do one’s best to empower others. I have been active in various women development initiatives in the Mena region. The International Women Business Group (Abu Dhabi) is another institution of which I am a committee member. In addition, giving talks at various organisations in the region on women empowerment is another pursuit and passion of mine.
Empowering women is an important factor for this region from a demographic and humanitarian view. It is also in line with my favourite quote, “Educate a woman and you educate a nation!”
In the future I want to continue my career in law and to support empowerment projects for Iraqi widows and other women empowerment projects. I would also love to expand my pro bono work outside the UAE. There is a very exciting project to support women in law, which will be starting up in the UAE soon; but that is a nice surprise that I would like to keep to myself for now!
Quick questions
Do you have advice for women who want to study law?
Law is a tough, predominantly male-dominated and highly competitive career. Whether a man or woman, one must be a highly determined and well-balanced individual to make a true success as a lawyer. To women, my advice is to never lose their confidence and femininity. You don’t have to act like a man to be a good lawyer.
Who is your role model?
My parents. Despite the difficulties they went through in their lives they built a loving and respectable family. My parents strongly believe in education and empowerment for all, irrespective of gender, which has been the foundation for me to broaden my horizon.
Interviewed by Zeniffer Khaleel, an Abu Dhabi-based freelancer.
