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Dubai: Women in the Middle East are increasingly working in fields that were previously considered male domains in the region. Positions of authority and leadership that were once thought to be too much for women to handle are now becoming their forte.
Hana Zuhair and Ameenah Bin Hendi are leading examples of such women. They were recognised for their work at the Seventh Middle East Businesswomen's and Leaders Achievement Awards on March 8.
Hana was named Woman Achiever of the Year and Ameenah was the Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.
Though they are not a story of rags to riches, both these women have come far in their respective fields.
Hana Zuhair
Hana began her career as a manager in a training centre in Saudi Arabia. Soon, she was promoted as general manager and began working with the community and participated in the parliament as one of the first 15 women to do so.
She then worked in the Chamber of Commerce in the businesswomen community and Business Women's National Committee. She also worked in the Council of Saudi Chamber.
Her efforts were concentrated in the Eastern province and when the women's centre in the Chamber of Commerce was established in the province, she was appointed general executive manager. It was here that she discovered a challenge that she would endeavour to overcome and which would become the reason for her recognition not only in her country but the entire Middle East.
She found that there was a lack of support and funds for women who wish to establish small businesses and enterprises. "It became my dream to help such women and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd helped me make this dream a reality," Hana told Gulf News.
After presenting the challenge to the Governor of the Eastern province, a fund was established in Prince Mohammad's name and Hana urged him to operate the fund along with a group of people who also played important roles.
During a visit by the Prime Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the fund committee was honoured with the custody of his name for the fund. Hana is now the executive manager of Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Fund to Support Women's Small Enterprises. This fund, established in September 2007, is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf and all Arab countries.
Regarding her work, Hana said the fund deals with the issues of training, funding and technical support for women who want to open small businesses and enterprise. "We have a memorandum of understanding with United Nations Development Programme, as a step to begin handling the fund. We have started the training this month and the funding will begin next month," she said.
Hana had faced many obstacles in the course of her career, especially as being a woman in Saudi Arabia. "To overcome them," she said, "a person has to believe and work hard. It doesn't matter who you are, your background or nationality. Anyone can accomplish their goals as long as one proves the capability."
Speaking of driving force, she said, "We have good leaders in our country and it is important for women to play a major role in the community, which has been a motivation for me." She also cited the support from her family and husband.
Hana has achieved much in her professional career but she does not intend this to be the ending. "As soon as I succeed in anything in life, it pushes me to reach for another success. Any achievement is a motivation in itself," she said.
To motive other women, she said, is one of the goals of her work. "In our training, we don't just teach women the concepts of opening a new business but also to be leaders in many fields, in professional and personal life," Hana said.
"I'm proud and happy to receive the award," she said. She dedicates her awards to her country, King, Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd, her husband, parents, children and to every woman around the world. "Whatever we did, and the rewards we acquire, are for all the women in my community and country," she said.
Ameenah Bin Hendi
A graduate from Zayed University in IT and Business, Ameenah Bin Hendi went for work placement in Dubai e-government. She joined Bin Hendi Enterprises and spent time in each division to understand the work and herself.
She finally saw herself working in human resources. "I like to socialise and HR is the heart of any organisation," Ameenah told Gulf News.
She was then appointed the vice-president of HR and IT. She was recognised as a figure of authority and competent to run an entire organisation when she was appointed the CEO of the Bin Hendi group last year. Climbing the corporate ladder proved a challenge for her at an young age. Hendi saw the bright side of this as the challenge became a motivation for her.
"To deal with over 3,000 employees, putting the system into place and the entire operation were challenges which really motivated me," she said.
Even with the difficulties, Ameenah pulled through with the support of her family. "As my father is the president of the group, he was always there to guide me through the rough patches. His experience and support has always been my backbone," she said.
Forced to gain quick experience, Ameenah learns something new every day and is content with her success. "I'm proud of myself to have achieved so much at this age but there is still a lot more to do. There is no end," she said.
Though the position of CEO came as a surprise to her, Ameenah is happy and feels worthy. "I'm here today because I had proven myself," she said.
It took Ameenah five years to become the CEO and she plans to pursue a master's degree next year.
For women to become successful, Ameenah believes that family support is vital. "We need to be encouraged by our families and we should have the willpower to act. We can do so much,"
Ameenah says there are many women who share her characteristics of leadership and that they only need the courage to apply their talents and prove themselves. "I'm a leader not only at work but also at home. People underestimate women," she said.
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