Every day we make choices. Many of which are trivial, some of which are life changing – whether for ourselves or others.
Today, Monday March 8, it’s International Women’s Day, and we’re all being as asked to “Choose to Challenge” – because in every choice we can create change.
And in a time where more and more people are starting to acknowledge and advocate for the true meaning of feminism, it’s time to make decisions.
Today we’re choosing to turn Time Out purple in support of all the powerful women in the UAE – and beyond. And to recognise that not everyone around the world has same privilege of choice. We’re here to help make some noise on behalf of those who are still fighting to be heard.
Today at Time Out we’re celebrating women who have made bold choices whether through carving a path in male-dominated industries or setting up a business in the middle of a pandemic.
We’re celebrating women who are pioneers in their fields, who are role models, who have pushed boundaries and who are the absolutely top of their game.
But we’re not just celebrating leaders. Time Out celebrates extraordinary, creative women not only once a year, but every day, and all over the world.
COVID has hit women around the world hardest, and women of colour hardest of all.
In their families and in their working lives, women are most likely to be carers. Women are unpaid carers caring for elderly and sick relatives. Women pick up the majority of homeschooling and housework. Women work in the caring professions, which we all clap and applaud, but which are not well paid.
This year, COVID bulldozed the walls between work and life. It made those hidden hours of labour longer and it made them visible on every Zoom call. It’s been messy. But it’s also created a challenge to all of us to hold onto that authentic truth, and live and work differently.
Time Out wants to see a world where women are valued. Where empathy and generosity are strengths, not weaknesses. Where no carer – male or female – is unable to see their child during waking hours, because those are also their work hours.
And in a decade where the word “unprecedented” has never been used too often, the time couldn’t be better to forge forward for change and to challenge stereotypes.
On day that’s all about women – we’ve explored the history of International Women’s Day, and how women in the UAE feel about it.
So, who are you choosing to support today?
Looking for top women-led businesses in the UAE to support? Click here.
For women-led restaurants you need to visit click here.
For UAE artists click here. And for leading women musicians click here. For sportswomen click here.
Where it began
International Women’s Day began in the streets of New York in 1908, when 15,000 women protested for shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
A year later a National Women’s Day was announced by the Socialist Party of America to honour these women, and in 1910 Socialist International voted for a Women’s Day. The inaugural International Women’s Day was in 1911, and more than a million people attended rallies across Europe.
Fast forward to 1975, International Women’s Year, and the United Nations had named March 8 as International Women’s Day.
#IWD2021
The global theme for International Women’s Day in 2021 is ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World”, reflecting on how the global pandemic has amplified inequalities women face.
“It is fundamental that diverse women’s voices and experiences are central to national and global recovery plans,” urges IWD. “A key contributor to a more equal COVID-19 world is increasing women’s access to leadership roles. Unfortunately, women still face significant cultural, socio-economic and political barriers to accessing leadership.”
A statement from the UN added: ”Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organisers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.”
It continues that “the majority of countries” who have seen success in fighting the pandemic, are headed by women – highlighting Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand and Slovakia. However, there are only 20 countries worldwide where the heads of state and government are women.
The UN also highlights that the pandemic has created “new barriers” and women across the world are facing domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty. And that while the majority of front-line workers are women, there is a “disproportionate and inadequate” representation in global COVID-19 policy spaces.
“There’s no place for complacency,” states the IWD. “According to the World Economic Forum, sadly none of us will see gender parity in our lifetimes, and nor likely will many of our children. Gender parity will not be attained for almost a century. There’s urgent work to do – and we can all play a part.”
What does it mean?
March 8 is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and here in the UAE we’ve spoken to women forging the way – and how they feel about it.
“To me, it is a day that highlights the importance of inclusion for women, equal rights, and removing discrimination,” says Chaica Al Qassimi, self-advocate and regional representative for People of Determination.
While for Joanne Hanson-Haliwell, founder of Small & Mighty Babies, its an opportunity to cheer the successes of those who have achieved and those who are striving to reach their goals. “It’s a day to find your mentor, muse and motivator,” she adds.
For others it’s a time to check in with other women. Comedian Mina Liccone says: “It’s a day of solidarity, compassion and celebration of women from every single walk of life. It’s also a day to reconnect. I always think of the women in my life who have impacted me and make sure to let them know they’re appreciated.”
Katie Rice, founder of Eco Souk, adds: “It’s a time for us to pause and reflect, it’s a day not only to celebrate the powerful and inspirational women we have around us but also to celebrate ourselves.”
And it’s a time to look at how women are creating an impact in their industries across Dubai. Kate Christou from restaurant LOWE adds: “It’s no secret that hospitality is male dominated, but moments such as International Women’s Day show that our culture and society is evolving. It provides a beacon of hope, particularly to younger generations of women, that change, progress and success is all possible; it gives women the power to be in charge of their own narrative.”
Mixed opinions
But for many around the world, question marks hang over the fact that it’s just one day.
“I see it as a chance to honour those who have been at the forefront of fighting against gender inequality,” says Stasha Toncev, founder of 21 Grams. “But knowing that many women continue to be unheard, discriminated in education, economics and human rights in societies across the globe, well I doubt having an official day of awareness does much to advance gender parity. I wish that in the near future we will no longer need days like this to ensure that women, are heard and seen equally as men and that we live in a world where women are valued, empowered, loved and celebrated every day.”
Gail Clough, founder of comedy club The Laughter Factory, agrees: “The fact we still need a special day tells me we still have a long way to go.”
But Dr. Saliha Afridi, founder of Lighthouse Arabia, says it’s a chance to challenge your perceptions.
“Up until a few years ago, I was trying to be a man in a man’s world, so I never celebrated women’s day because I rejected the idea of being a woman. My whole life, I have lived with a mindset that I need to prove myself to be ‘man enough’ and I achieved success as defined by patriarchal values.
“But I realised I had fallen for the biggest conspiracy against women. I thought I was being a feminist, showing the patriarchal world that women were ‘just as strong as men,’ not realising that by acting like a man, in a man’s world, and achieving success according to his standards, I had eliminated the woman completely.
“I had denied the feminine. Her intuition, her vulnerability, her body, her creativity – her being. So now, as I honour and reclaim those parts of myself, I am re-engaging the feminine. If a woman stands in her full power as a whole and balanced woman, she would be a force like the world has not seen before.”
Power in diversity
But one thing’s for sure, the UAE is home to thriving female-led businesses with plenty of opportunity ripe for the taking right now, especially thanks to the massive diversity when it comes to cultures, thought processes and backgrounds we have here.
“What place in the world brings more women together than the UAE?,” asks Francoise Albrando Crosbie, founder of Keto Goodies. “I’ve learned so much from being around women from totally different backgrounds and these experiences have really helped shape my knowledge andskills as a businesswoman.”
Musician Laura Ingham adds that the people she’s met have helped her music grow. “The UAE’s music scene is full of influences from every part of the world, there’s a truly diverse mix of talent,” she says.
Here, we’re highlighting the incredible women, restaurants, businesses and more that should be on your radar. We’ve asked their advice on making it to the top and challenges they faced. Meet the powerful women leading the way in the UAE.
Hard stats
87,000 women are killed every year just because they are women. Of those, 50,000 are killed by their male partners or family members – and those are only the deaths we know about.
2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men.
45 countries do not have specific laws against domestic violence.
Thirty-five percent of women globally have experienced sexual or physical violence.
Stats source: www.internationalwomensday.com
