Maryam Al Hamadi, the Director General of the “Namaa” Foundation in Sharjah, dedicated to the empowerment of women, has affirmed that since its inception in 2015, the organization has successfully enhanced the lives of over 35,000 women across 35 countries. This achievement has been accomplished through personal development initiatives, reshaping social standards, increasing access to knowledge, skill development, promoting independence, and encouraging women’s representation in leadership roles.
In her statement, Al Hamadi emphasized that the process of empowering women involves enabling them to become self-reliant, gain knowledge, and take charge of their trajectories and futures, which in turn contributes to overall societal growth. Consequently, their empowering efforts are centered around key areas including health, education, life skills, and social standing. She remarked, “Our initiatives not only aim to improve the conditions of women collectively but also focus on empowering individuals by providing support, guidance, and mentorship. Investing in the empowerment of one woman can lead to a positive impact on her family and community at large.”
Al Hamadi noted that every initiative aimed at women’s empowerment creates a ripple effect, both directly and indirectly, by enhancing educational levels, improving family health, and fostering economic growth and stability.
On a local level within the UAE, the foundation bolsters its achievements through pioneering initiatives such as the “Irtiqa” program, which promotes gender equality and equal opportunities in the workplace. This program empowers women through strategic business practices by focusing on institutional capacity building, raising awareness, and supporting advocacy efforts that enable organizations to adopt gender equality principles through strategic partnerships, thereby creating more inclusive systems that support women’s leadership skills and economic participation. Global statistics back this approach.