It’s been an eventful few months at the Woman This Month office, putting this edition together and organising the highly anticipated 2024 Woman of the Year (WOTY) Awards.
Many years ago, I read an excerpt that spoke of the transformative impact of women. Sharing the words that resonated most with me, it read: “Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.”
The quote has stood the test of time, and I was reminded of it recently as our team interviewed hundreds of women for the upcoming awards. Their transformative effect on their loved ones and the wider community was inspiring, to say the least. After a meticulous judging and shortlisting process, we have our final list of nominees. So, I urge you, our dear reader, to visit womanoftheyearawards.com and vote for the women who inspire you.
Weddings – a celebration of love – are considered one of the most significant occasions in life. In this edition, you’ll find our special wedding feature, which serves as a guide to celebrating your big day in Bahrain. Flip through the pages for beauty and fashion inspiration, a highly recommended event planner, entertainers, and the finest of Bahrain’s venues, seafront or otherwise. Bestselling author and award-winning therapist Marissa Peer also shares her guide to wedding day wellness. It’s everything you need for the day you say “I do”.
October is a significant month for women’s health, with a focus on raising breast cancer awareness. I’m sure I can safely say that this dreadful disease has directly or indirectly affected us all, and I hope we continue to spread knowledge, raise funds, and support those affected by breast cancer. Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society has championed the movement in Bahrain, so be sure to read our interview with its founder and chairwoman, Dr Julie Sprakel, and vice chairwoman, Tahera Al Alawi, following the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
This month, WTM was also granted an exclusive interview with Dr Hashim S. Hussein, who has led the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) since its establishment in 1996.
For more inspiration, I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading about Bahraini adventure traveller Sara Sami, renowned serial entrepreneur Anita Menon, Saar Dental’s Dr Zahra Majeed, seasoned acupuncturist Dr Qian Yi Zi, and Rosemarie Blight’s inspiring journey with yoga.
Finally, our parenting columnist Ouiam El Hassani shares her tips for a successful school year, while behaviour analyst Fifi Kiwan highlights the cognitive challenges behind procrastination.
While there’s plenty to discover in this edition, there’s even more online! So, be sure to visit womanthismonth.com, follow our official Instagram account @womanthismonth, and (not to nag or anything) definitely check womanoftheyearawards.com for updates. We hope you enjoy this edition as much as we enjoyed curating it!
