Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is committed to empowering women and providing them with a positive and stimulating work environment; helping them balance their professional and social lives to achieve success, excellence, and active participation in building the homeland and preparing future generations.
Empowering women to emulate Zayed
“I wish every mother, sister and daughter a happy Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated under the slogan Women in the Footsteps of Zayed. On this day, we recognise the achievements of our nation’s daughters thanks to the empowerment of women that was undertaken by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a strong supporter of women who encouraged them to participate in various developmental domains. Today, our celebration of Emirati Women’s Day coincides with the Year of Zayed. Zayed’s daughters are successful and accomplished in everything they do, with the UAE ranking first in the Arab world and among developed countries for women’s rights. This was according to the annual report of the Arab Women Studies Center of the Arab Women’s Foundation 2017, which praised the UAE’s political leadership and its approach to empowering women. The report shows that Emirati women are a key partner in leading the process of sustainable development,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“We aim to emulate Zayed, who believed that the development of our society is achieved by empowering women, encouraging their participation and enabling them to perform their roles to the fullest extent. DEWA plays a central role in empowering and enabling ladies who work while building their capabilities. This contributes to the empowerment of society as a whole through a positive and stimulating work environment that supports working women, and helps them balance their professional and social lives. It also grants them the full confidence to harness their scientific and practical potential to achieve success and excellence, and actively participate in development efforts, building the homeland, and in preparing future generations.”
Emirati Women’s Day affirms the status of women in the UAE
“The appointment of a day for Emirati women is a testament to the advanced position of our wise leadership and their empowerment, initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who cared about the advancement and progress of women and their right to participate in building the nation. As the Founding Father’s companion, HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Mother of the Nation, has made great efforts to promote women in everything they do. She also empowered Emirati women, locally and globally, by encouraging them to participate in developing and serving the nation in various roles, as well as launching pioneering maternal and childcare initiatives. Our wise leadership follow the footsteps of Sheikh Zayed, who allowed the UAE to not only focus on empowering women, but on empowering society through women. The UAE has become a model for many countries in the region and has broken the stereotypes of Arab women, especially in the Gulf. Emirati women participate efficiently and competently to build society with outstanding contributions and influence in different areas,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, EVP of Strategy and Government Communications and Chairperson of the Women’s Committee at DEWA.
“DEWA plays a pivotal role in empowering women by providing a stimulating working environment that not only has a positive impact on DEWA, but also has a significant impact on society as a whole. With the support of DEWA’s senior management, the Women’s Committee adopted an integrated approach in which it explored various aspects of women’s interests, including self, psychological, and professional development. This approach resulted in plans and programmes to achieve a balance between the professional and social lives of women, in addition to developing their skills to best deal with different challenges and take advantage of available opportunities.”
DEWA has 1,916 female employees working in various divisions: 78.8% them are Emirati, 812 of whom are engineers or technicians.
DEWA was one of the first government entities to establish nurseries to support mothers who work. Today, DEWA has the largest number of nurseries compared to other government entities in Dubai with a capacity of 175 children.
The Women’s Committee is not limited to internal activities and events, but also to exchanging experiences with national and international institutions working to support and empower women. The Committee also strengthened ties with its partners from women’s associations and child- and family-support agencies, as well as strengthened ties with business about social and cultural matters. The Committee has strong relations with public-interest and charitable institutions to enhance its contributions and its role in supporting society through women.
The Women’s Committee also participates in various local and international events and organises several events throughout the year that cover many aspects of the lives of women and families. This is done in cooperation with the relevant institutions, conducting lectures and workshops on health, safety, environment, sustainability, family, the art of dealing with people, self-development, and family management, as well as organising social gatherings and meaningful recreational programmes.
National and heritage activities
Throughout the year, the Women’s Committee organises several events that consolidate the national identity and contributes to empowering women and enhancing their role in society. The Committee is organising today’s Fourth Emirati Women’s Forum under the theme ‘Women emulating Zayed’ in celebration of Emirati Women’s Day. The Committee also participates in many national events by organising evening celebrations of 15 Sha’ban Night (Hag Al Laila) and World Heritage Day, in addition to holding workshops, and educational and awareness lectures on various subjects, targeted workshops on wedding management and reducing its costs, self-development workshops, family management, social gatherings and recreational programs for female employees