United Arab Emirates (UAE) women have shown dramatic progress in career development. Around 40 percent of the workforce in the public sector is comprised of women, and the number is growing each year. The situation at the university level is even more encouraging. More than 70 percent of all university students in the UAE are women, many of them graduating in Information Technology and Engineering.
"Women are natural communicators and this makes them ideal candidates for jobs in journalism, marketing, public relations or any other communication-related field," said Reem Obeidat, Media and PR Officer of Dubai eGovernment.
Obeidat, who was one of the speakers at a recent seminar for female students from Zayed University in Abu Dhabi said, "Women both in their careers as well as in their roles as mothers and wives are more sensitive to the needs of different community groups and are able to customize their delivery to suit the audience. Conditions are more favorable than ever before for women to take up jobs in the media because it is now acceptable to work alongside a male counterpart.”
“The success of so many women, including those gathered here, is testimony that women can excel in communications- related careers and our presence here is to set a benchmark for female students."
The seminar, which tackled the topic of 'media as a profession for women,' featured a number of United Arab Emirates (UAE) women who are now holding responsible positions in print and broadcast media and public relations and are providing great momentum to women's empowerment in the industry.
"My experience at Dubai eGovernment has strengthened my resolve that women are the right people for the communications profession," said Obeidat. "Dubai eGovernment is a people-based concept and there are plenty of behind-the-scenes activities to take eServices to the community at large. Women can play a significant role in helping the Dubai eGovernment initiative achieve its objectives.”
“The community outreach program is one example where women can leverage their skills, where femininity is appreciated and can be of assistance to other national women, children and the elderly."
"If there is one area that has opened new doors for women, it is Information Technology (IT), which also requires the necessary skills of media in many instances," said Obeidat. "Women must move forward and seize the job opportunities that are available to them. Initiatives like Dubai eGovernment are prime examples of how women can make a meaningful contribution to a project designed on global standards.”
“Dubai eGovernment would like to encourage more women to take up key positions in this pioneering e-initiative that is making such a big difference in the lives of the community and businesses."
Ed Freedman, Broadcast Journalist and Associate Professor, Zayed University - Abu Dhabi said, "The response to this seminar from the student body reflects the tremendous interest the field of media has evoked among young national women. Over 400 students attended the two sessions of the seminar and they were inspired by the success of national women in the media profession who shared their experiences and insights with them.”
“Seminars such as these are crucial because they help students gain the understanding of a profession through first-person accounts of those who have already become successful professionals."
Dubai eGovernment is a pioneering initiative in the region to provide online services across the spectrum of corporate and community life in the emirate. It also has a vision to integrate Individually automated government departments under the single umbrella of the Government initiative, thus empowering employees across lines of businesses and levels of government, besides facilitating the lives of citizens and customers of the government.
Dubai has taken a lead in the region in deploying eGovernment applications and is among the first few governments in the world to provide such integrated services to its citizens. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
