Contributing to sustainable growth and development

The expansion of the knowledge economy, increased access to education and social movements have helped women in many parts of the world to find roles in the workplace that may have been earlier regarded as the sole prerogative of men. The UAE Government realises that more women in the workforce, especially as senior leaders, ministers, and entrepreneurs boosts the economy and society. So, while we still have a lot of work to do to empower women in the workplace, I believe that women are more strongly asserting their leadership aspirations and investing in their skills, knowledge, and experiences to grow in high-profile roles and rightly so.

Most challenging

Working in the environmental sector implies that you have to challenge and change organisational policies and practices as well as individual lifestyle behaviours and traditions that are harming our natural world. Bringing about this change can be very challenging, especially when people have a fixed mindset and world view. But this is a challenge that I love taking head-on.

Most engaging

Knowing that every day you are contributing to the sustainable growth and development of your country, your people and the world makes working for an environmental non-profit a very satisfying job. My typical day will have meetings with government and business leaders, projects with students, and working on ground with volunteers that are equally passionate to protect our natural world.

Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Chairperson, Emirates Environmental Group

Al Mar’ashi is the Co-founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Environmental Group, President and Founder of the Arabia CSR Network, Vice Chair and Founding Member of the Emirates Green Building Council. Al Mar’ashi leverages these roles to work with the government, the private sector, the academia and other segments of society to improve environmental awareness and engagement in the UAE.