March 8 is an important day in the calendar. It’s when the globe unites to celebrate International Women’s Day and more specifically, the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
With each passing year their incredible achievements come further to the fore, so to mark the occasion Woman This Month has asked some of these awe-inspiring women to come forward and offer their experiences, advice, inspirations and observations about the world around them. Who knows, you could be an inspiration to fellow women yourself.
Mona Almoayyed
Managing Director of YK Almoayyed & Sons
Women have to work double to compete with men at the workplace. As a young mother with four children I had to juggle my duties between board meetings, teacher appointments and doctor appointments. I would even help my children with their homework while I’d write my business reports and analyze balance sheets.
My advice to young women is to work hard and be consistent and finally your boss will recognize your efforts. We women have the innate ability to be multi-tasking and hardworking.
Dina AR Shirazi
Director
Jewellery and gift department buyer and merchandising
Bahrain Jewellery Centre
Always remember to practice grace and kindness, and show appreciation and gratitude no matter what you are going through. Always choose acceptance, compassion and understanding rather than judgement. And remember a smile is infectious and not only makes you feel better, but it can also turn someone else’s day around.
Ahdeya Ahmed
President of Bahrain Journalists Association
I’ve worked in the field of journalism and media for the past 28 years and have never stopped believing in the voices of female journalists to advocate for the protection of women’s rights. Today, I’m proud to see women succeed in different fields and see that journalism and media were contributors towards these success stories. We have achieved our goals thanks to the support of our leadership that believes in us, our societies, our families; but I believe there is much more to come. The sky’s the limit for women in Bahrain. Nothing is impossible.
Dr. Sarah Clarke
Writer, Researcher and Founder of various autism awareness projects and Baloo’s Buddies, a kids’ reading initiative
Difference is something to be celebrated not feared; it is through the interwoven fabric of our individual abilities that together we can build a strong and vibrant community, one which embraces the rich tapestry of our talents and unlocks our potential to achieve great things.
Myrna Saliba
Motivational Speaker and Ultra Endurance Athlete
We spend too much time learning about the world and little about ourselves, and that puts us in a vulnerable spot when faced with misfortune and adversity. If we get equipped, not by chance, not by luck but rather through knowledge of ourselves, we then have the ultimate, most powerful tool to fight back and survive any hardship in life. https://womanthismonth.com/the-power-of-the-mind/
Esky Dubois
Former Ethiopian Honorary Consul, Film Producer, Writer, Actress
The truth will not always set you free and being right in the wrong crowd could make you pay the ultimate price. However, regardless of the suffering encountered, remain true to yourself and stick to your strength. Eventually you will be healed with the process of forgiveness when you choose to let go.
Tanzeel Jabbar-Khadir
Writer and Creator of #100 Bahrain Stories
I think there is strength in softness. It’s not always easy, but there is tremendous strength in being peaceful in tough situations. To me, a strong person is someone who leads by example, is compassionate and does their best to nurture the best in others. As I get older, I’m realising more and more that softness is where the very core of my strength resides.
Dana Zubari
Co-Founder of Tru Active
Love yourself and accept yourself with positive affirmations and avoid making negative comments towards your appearance and your achievements. If you are not your number one fan who will be.
https://womanthismonth.com/imtiaz-for-her-hosts-she-races-to-horizons/
Hala Zubari
Creative Director and Designer of Tru Active
I’m a huge fan of self care, but I haven’t always been. Self care was a luxury that I felt I didn’t have time for. As time went, and I emotionally began to unravel I started to see the importance of self care, because YOU are the most important being in your life, and only you can care for yourself 100 percent. Something as simple as sitting out in the sun for five minutes and reflecting on how you’re doing does wonders for your mental health. Incorporate these small healthy habits in your daily routine and you’ll see the changes that unfold in your life.
Maysaa Alghawas
Founder of Play Works and Finalist in the Bahrain Awards for Entrepreneurship
Society expects you to work as though you don’t have kids and raise kids as though you don’t have work. And when you do reach the same milestones as others, it won’t give you extra points for all the hardship of balancing it all as a woman. So remember to breathe, be kind to yourself and take care of your well-being and happiness first, for that is what attracts success in all areas of your life.
Latifa Al Khalifa
Founder and Owner of Clever Play
My advice to women is to start before they’re ready. If we aspire to make even just a dent on the universe, we have to be optimistic enough to see something better, confident enough to just begin and be courageous enough to believe in our ability to figure things out every step of the way. The dream is in the details.
Lini Reghunath
Digital Marketing Consultant & Trainer
We have the inherent power to create our dream life. Don’t allow the fear of the unknown to hold you back from exploring the infinite possibilities and opportunities that can lead to your dream life. Just pick up the courage once to take that first step and behold what awaits you! It’s never too late to take that step. So just do it!
Sarah Hijris
Chef at a Piece of Cake & Sarah’s Gourmet Kitchen
Whether you have a disability or not, everybody has their limitations. What I have realised is that I am so much more than my disability. I am very lucky to be living my lifelong dream. I have Spina Bifida, but it doesn’t have me.
Dr. Nasreen Alsayed, MD, FACE, FACP.
President-Elect American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Gulf Chapter
Consultant Endocrinologist & Lipidologist at Gulf Medical & Diabetes Center
The world needs strong women, women who will build generations to come. Be the change you want to see in the world and reflect it on the upcoming generations. Your strength comes from your confidence, education, morals, values, bravery and most importantly, determination to make a change. Great women leaders and achievers inspire future generations and are important role models. There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.
Ameera Al-Kooheji
TV producer, Social Media Influencer & Owner of Kooheji Productions
Your definition of who you are and who you can become is so important to achieve your goal. Don’t confine yourself to your current circumstances and situations. see the grandest vision of yourself and hold on to that image then start taking daily steps to achieve it. You will see how the whole universe will shift to help you.
Martyna Al-Qassab
Founder of Yalla Banat
Dream big and never lose focus on reaching your goal, the power of your passion will unlock your true potential. Surround yourself with positivity and never give up. Believe nothing is impossible.
https://womanthismonth.com/the-driving-force-martyna-al-qassab/
Christine Gordon MBE
Founder of RIA Centre for Special Education
I struggled for years trying to conform to people’s idea of normal. Then, at some point, I came to realise that having a child with a disability breaks the boundaries of convention, so don’t judge yourself by it and celebrate the small stuff as well as the big.
Georgina Wiggins
Blonde in Bahrain Blogger
Learning how to harness the breath is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever been taught. Inhale for four, hold, exhale for six. Breathing in the good stuff, breathing out the bad. The result is a state of complete calm.
https://womanthismonth.com/read-all-about-it/
Amy Vaya
Bahrain’s First Female Standup Comedian
Having a sense of humour about life is the greatest superpower anyone can have. You cannot control what happens in life, but you can always control how you react to it. And if you can react with laughter, so much the better!
Dr. Saba Dawood Parkar
Vice Principal of Al Wisam School
When you want to achieve something aim high, start small and keep going, day after day, till you’ve reached your goal. Don’t let small snags and hitches upset you. I follow the 5 x 5 Rule: If it’s not going to matter to me in 5 years, I won’t spend more than 5 minutes being upset by it.
Mary-Justine Todd, MPH, MA
Founder and Executive Director of Shamsaha (formerly Women’s Crisis Care International)
Giving to others, spreading love, and making the world a better place was my personal goal, when I founded Shamsaha in 2016.
We have hundreds of opportunities every day to choose love and kindness if we put our mind to it. But to accomplish this, and overcome our own egos that result in fear based behavior, we must consciously make choices every moment that promote the best in ourselves and others.
Every living being, from housemaids, to CEOs, to the stray dogs on the street and animals in factories, deserve a life free from cruelty and suffering. I believe It is our duty as human beings to be brave and stand up for these vulnerable groups in our society
Cristalyn Pastrana
Cluster Director of Marketing
There are days when I’d like to give up when things don’t work out the way I want it to; but the next day I get up and work hard and make things happen because I know I will gain strength, courage, and confidence with every experience and obstacles that come along! Happy International Women’s Day to all women – be proud of who you are.
Ujvala Vemparala
Founder and CEO of Rus Organic
The most important thing is to be mindful of your surroundings, whether its your environment, community or future generations . During your career, you shouldn’t attach yourself to the place or company. Rather, you should focus more on yourself and what you would like to do, your purpose and your calling. That is how you will always be the one in power and at peace with yourself and what’s around you.
