Empowering Women: A Conversation with Reem Bin Karam, Director General of Namaa Foundation

Reem Bin Karam, Director General of the Namaa Foundation for the Advancement of Women, assumed the responsibility of empowering women and supporting them socially and economically. Because of her strong belief that women are one of the main pillars of development and the development of societies, through her diligent and exceptional work in the Foundation, as she supervises – during her work duties – the development of strategies that contribute to the process of advancing Emirati women and empowering them, and achieving equality and equal opportunities in work between the two sexes. Reem believes that the road to success is not strewn with flowers, but it needs a “triple mixture”, consisting of: planning, patience and creative passion.. In this dialogue, we shed light on her experience and aspects of her life:

• In addition to being the director of “Namaa for the Advancement of Women”, how do you introduce yourself?

I am an Emirati woman who is passionate about serving others. I am ambitious to constantly seek to return the favor to everyone who has a positive and influential impact on my life. My academic degree, in Interior Design, inspires me to be determined to achieve my ambition.

• What role does the Namaa Foundation play in promoting equal opportunities for both sexes?

Since the founding of Namaa, we have been working according to a multi-track strategy. We wanted – through them – to contribute to the advancement of Emirati women, to support their leadership economically and socially, and to highlight their creative abilities to assume the responsibilities entrusted to them. In order to promote the principle of equal opportunities for both sexes, Namaa established the Sharjah Businesswomen Council, which provides professional and knowledge support to female entrepreneurs, and works to enable them to access local and international markets. In addition, Namaa established an heritage council for contemporary crafts, transferring a number A large number of women moved from the category of consumption to the category of production, and established a productive identity for itself, and transferred it to the world, through partnership with the most prominent exhibitions, fashion houses, and well-known designers.

• Who is the Emirati character that left a mark in your life and influenced the formation of your personality? And why?

A role model does not have to be a single person, as life’s stations are full of inspiring and influential people professionally and socially. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, inspired me to challenge all odds. To achieve my goals, and build the future I dream of. And His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, I see in him the great man and the broad-minded scholar who built man and established a developmental renaissance in Sharjah. made it a model of leadership. Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, the caring mother who carried the concern of the family in all its categories on her shoulders; To be the best sponsor for family cohesion, support for the development of women, and the growth of their influence in their society.

• Do you have other interests, apart from work?

I enjoy discovering and supporting small projects. I also spend a lot of time reading up-to-date research on equality, initiatives related to women’s empowerment, and improving the conditions of societies in general.

• What is your advice for those who want to break into the field of entrepreneurship?

First, devote yourself to your work so that you are distinguished in it, then plan and educate, and read the stories of successful people, and do not think that the road to success is paved with flowers. You may fail time and time again, so do not let failure frustrate you, continue working with planning, and be patient to achieve your desired goals, for God is with those who are patient.

• What is the secret of your excellence in your field of work?

I always work on evaluating my achievements, and I set goals that I seek to achieve. And when tasks conflict, I organize priorities, and I don’t start accomplishing randomly; Time management helps me a lot in reconciling my private and professional life. Through this administration, I practice my favorite physical activities, follow a healthy lifestyle, and deal with my family requirements responsibly, and this is something that many working women suffer from, especially the leaders among them.

• How do you see the achievements of Emirati women, and the empowerment they have achieved?

The achievements of Emirati women follow, in a linked chain, starting with a bright history, in which our mothers made their mark, which contributed to building generations of girls and women armed with education and knowledge; To contribute to the process of development, growth and comprehensive development that the country has witnessed since the dawn of the union. The Emirati woman has proven her worth in contributing to the economic construction of the country, and has achieved leadership in assuming political and administrative positions at the highest levels of leadership, from a minister to a representative of the state in various international organizations, and a leader of successful and pioneering companies, so that the name of the Emirati woman has become at the top of the lists of the most influential women in the world and the Arab world. .