The women’s majils: Let’s support, not destroy

When a person ventures out of their comfort zone to start chasing their dreams, they usually face hurdles. Whether physical or mental, people have to walk a rough road.

When passing those ordeals and almost getting the taste of the accomplishment they’ve been craving, they have to go through another equally troubling situation. The first thing a person faces when they almost make it is comparisons. I know because I went through this ordeal. Don’t get me wrong: it’s flattering to get compared with a successful person in your field, but you strive to make your own name and career.

It also came to my attention that when men start out in a field, they’re usually compared with a successful figure that they resemble in some way. However, women are sometimes pitted against each other in what seems like a competition.

Women are still enjoying “firsts” in the UAE. It’s quite upsetting, but it’s also exciting to witness change with our own eyes. It can’t be denied that women were limited from prospering for some time, instead of being ­encouraged.

I don’t understand why it’s not OK to have more than one woman achieving similar things. How come they’re not encouraged for trying to find their own identity in a field that includes varying talents?

Everyone deserves a chance in what they’re passionate about, but if we continue creating mindless wars in our world, people will eventually resort to not wishing others well, focusing on the actions of others instead of bettering themselves. That’s useless and no one would really benefit from it.

I believe for a change to take place, we must discuss things openly. We must get to the bottom of things and think more deeply. I know for a fact that some might consider this a feminist attack, but on the contrary, this piece is to raise awareness on a matter that not everyone is aware of.

As a writer, I had a hard time coping with people wanting me to “destroy”fellow writers just for the sake of it. Nevertheless, I choose not to let this topic faze me any more, because I appreciate people who go out of their way to pursue their ­careers and put themselves out there for the world to see.

I’m taking a stand to end this spectacle and hope others will join me. So the next time someone asks you to choose between a man or a woman doing their best to be a distinctive figure in society, don’t agree to participate in a senseless conflict. Instead, why not support both hopefuls eager to make something of ­themselves?

Alia AlHazami is a student at the American University of Sharjah and the author of the book Alatash.

If you have a good story to tell or an interesting issue to debate, contact Shireena Al Nowais on [e-mail].

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