Middle East | Dubai | Activism

Emirati woman begs for asylum in Macedonia after fleeing family

An Emirati woman who fled to the Republic of Macedonia has made a desperate plea for help after her asylum request was rejected by the Balkan state. In a video posted online and obtained by CNN, Hind Mohammad Albolooki, 42, says she fled Dubai after her family threatened her when she sought a divorce from her husband. Her request for asylum in Macedonia was rejected on February 4 by the Macedonia interior ministry. While awaiting a decision, Albolooki is being held in immigration detention, where she has been since December 7, and now fears she will be deported back to the United Ar

Middle East | Dubai | Economy

Dubai forum aims to boost education and innovation opportunities for women

Source: The National

World leaders will gather in Dubai on Tuesday for the Middle East’s first Global Women’s Forum, where stereotypes of Arab women will be dispelled and their achievements promoted. More than 2,000 participants and 200 speakers over the two days will work to boost women’s influence, design plans to encourage their greater contribution and promote diversity in the business world. Speakers include Queen Rania of Jordan, Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, Mauritian president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund. Also speaking will be Sheik

Middle East | Dubai | Entrepreneurship

Dubai-based beauty entrepreneur wins regional Cartier Women’s Initiative Award

Source: The National

Mouna Abbassy, founder of UAE-based Izil Beauty, scooped the Middle East and North Africa accolade at the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards in Deauville, France. Born in Morocco and based in Dubai, Abbassy launched her natural cosmetics brand Izil, meaning ‘pure’ in Berber, in 2012. The 32-year-old’s company produces organic body scrubs, moisturisers and masks enriched with argan oil from the Atlas Mountains. “It’s an honour to receive this award,” said Abbassy “I dedicate it to all the Berber women working with me and handling this rare and precious resource. Today, argan o

Middle East | Dubai | Leadership

Leading women’s triumphs awarded at Dubai ceremony

Source: The National

Outstanding achievements by UAE women in fields as diverse as civil aviation, business strategy, technology and social enterprise were recognised on Monday night. Laila Al Muhairi, assistant director general for strategy and international affairs at the General Civil Aviation Authority, won the first award in the professional category at the Emirates Women Awards. The ceremony was organised by the Dubai Quality Group under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates airline. Participants were judged on the basis of leadership skills, financial planning, career a

Middle East | Dubai | Activism

On Dubai’s roads, women hop on Harleys and shatter stereotypes

Source: PRI

"When I ride, I feel like I own the world." That's how Dana Adam describes her experience riding a motorcycle — a Harley-Davidson, no less — across the expansive highways of Dubai. Dana Adam isn't her real name; she's using a pseudonym because she's from a powerful, conservative family in Yemen, where riding a motorcycle was just a dream. "It's not acceptable in Yemen," she says. "No lady rides on a bike. My family never let me do it." But in Dubai, Dana is following her dream — and she's not the only one. There's a whole group of female riders in Dubai, and reporter

Middle East | Dubai | Culture

Summit hears more opportunities needed for Arab women

Source: 7DaysinDubai

More opportunities need to be provided to women in the Muslim world to counter the suggestion from abroad that they are marginalised in society, the Arab Media Summit has heard. Iyad Madani, secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, said in some societies the “woman disappears under the umbrella of manhood”. He said the Muslim world must ensure rights are guaranteed as are “societal opportunities”. Madani was speaking at the 15th Arab Media Forum titled ‘Stereotypes: Islam and Muslims’, attended by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Pres

Middle East | Dubai | Economy

Is Dubai the best place for women in the Middle East?

Source: BBC

The newest generation of women in the United Arab Emirates looks a lot like Farha Alshamsi: educated and career-minded. The 31-year-old has two degrees, holds a senior position in a government agency and runs her own communications and advisory company on the side. “We have women working in all sectors and the government does a lot to support women… families are encouraging both males and females to go out there and start their own career,” she said. “There are many women in government ministries and at executive levels in the public sector.” At first glance, it appears that

Middle East | Dubai | Arts

8 Women Who Are Redefining Design in the Middle East

Source: Artsy.net

Now in its fourth edition, Design Days Dubai celebrates the significant strides made by women designers in the Middle East, which are dramatically altering the landscape of contemporary design. This year’s event features designs that transcend the limitations of material to socially conscious and philanthropic initiatives that establish pioneering connections between the world of design and female empowerment in war-torn or developing areas. Of the 44 exhibitors from 20 countries showing at the anticipated five-day-long affair, approximately half are native to the Middle East, and among them