According to McKinsey’s 2020 Women in the Workplace study, one in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of Covid-19. Courtesy Unsplash
According to McKinsey’s 2020 Women in the Workplace study, one in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of Covid-19. Courtesy Unsplash
According to McKinsey’s 2020 Women in the Workplace study, one in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of Covid-19. Courtesy Unsplash
According to McKinsey’s 2020 Women in the Workplace study, one in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of Covid-19. Courtesy Unsplash

Mums at work: How these UAE platforms are helping mothers re-enter the workforce


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

Zabeen Mirza is candid about the fact that every time she was pregnant, she had a horrible experience at work. "When I was six months pregnant with my first child, my company sacked me because they didn't want to pay maternity leave," she says. "When I was pregnant with my second, I got sick a lot and couldn't find an employer that allowed me to work flexibly.

“When I had my third child in July 2020, I was given an eight-week maternity leave. When I came back, I was immediately let go,” she says. All three experiences took place in different countries, which to her, sent a powerful message: “The bias against mothers is universal.”

The former Wall Street banker, management consultant and professional negotiator, who lived in the UAE for a time, decided to channel her bad experiences into a good cause, with the launch of Jobs.mom – an online platform that connects mums with supportive employers.

The website launched in the US this month, with contributions from working mothers, advice from experts, a "hire a mom" section, where employers can look for talent and mothers can post their professional profile, and a no-holds-barred podcast. Topics discussed include how to shut down discriminatory questions during interviews, overcoming the gap bias and getting paid what you deserve.

Zabeen Mirza started jobs.mom after having bad experiences in the workforce while pregnant. Courtesy jobs.mom
Zabeen Mirza started jobs.mom after having bad experiences in the workforce while pregnant. Courtesy jobs.mom

“We are going to have a jobs board where women can share insight and feedback on companies that are doing right by women and those that are not. It’s also about holding companies accountable.”

Jobs.mom has already seen thousands sign up for its newsletter – indicating the demand for such a service. A UAE branch will launch towards the end of Ramadan, and a UK version shortly after that.

Mirza’s aim is simple. “My mission is to get mothers who want to work back to work. We want to connect you to employers who do more than just put up nice slogans saying they believe in women on Mother’s Day. We are showcasing companies that are really practising what they are preaching.”

This includes companies that have returnship programmes for mums, those that offer mental health support, maternity and paternity leave, lactation services and other parent-friendly initiatives.

Getting back to the workplace after childbirth

Jobs.mom has a Hire a Mom section where companies can look for talent and mothers can post their professional profiles. Courtesy jobs.mom
Jobs.mom has a Hire a Mom section where companies can look for talent and mothers can post their professional profiles. Courtesy jobs.mom

Numerous surveys over the years have indicated that mothers work faster, multitask better and lead with empathy. Despite this, many are forced to choose between their children and their careers, and ultimately end up quitting the latter. The situation has deteriorated owing to the pandemic. According to McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2020 study, one in three mothers in the US has considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of Covid-19, with mums more than three times as likely as fathers to be responsible for most of the housework and caregiving, and 1.5 times more likely to spend an additional three or more hours a day on this.

“Thousands of women around the world have been furloughed or lost their jobs because they weren’t able to balance their work with childcare,” says Mirza. “Women have always had to carry that extra workload, but Covid has revealed its extent.”

Louise Karim, managing director of Women@Work, a careers platform in the UAE, points out a silver lining. "The pandemic has made businesses rethink flexible working. I know companies that did not entertain it earlier and now realise that it not only works, but employees are also more productive. Even now, with people increasingly rejoining offices, there are systems in place for them to have hybrid work environments," says Karim.

Louise Karim, managing director of Women@Work, a career platform for women in the UAE. Courtesy Women@Work
Louise Karim, managing director of Women@Work, a career platform for women in the UAE. Courtesy Women@Work

Mirza also hopes that flexible work environments are here to stay. "That being said, human memory is short and we are seeing companies make the push to bring people back. I understand that there's a place and reason for that but, barring certain industries, it's not the right way to go."

Flexible workplaces and returnships

Abier Kadom, manager of culture and engagement for Apco Worldwide’s Dubai office, and a single mother herself, is an advocate for the benefits of flexible workplaces, too. “When you offer employees empathy and grace, they’re going to be more productive, creative and engaged, and this will lead to a greater output and profits.”

The communications consultancy offers benefits such as 60-day maternity leave, a nursing room in the office, hybrid work options, bring-your-children-to-work days and Mother's Day initiatives every year.

"We have an internship programme and, a lot of the time, we hire mothers coming back to the workplace after a break. It's about helping them get those skills and confidence back. I would advise mums to start small and then go back full-time. And I encourage other companies to start something similar; it's a great way to get talent that isn't being tapped into," she says.

Abier Kadom manager, culture and engagement for APCO Worldwide's Dubai office. Courtesy Abier Kadom
Abier Kadom manager, culture and engagement for APCO Worldwide's Dubai office. Courtesy Abier Kadom

Returnships are a similar option. Women@Work, was among the first to launch such programmes in the UAE, by introducing mothers to companies for 12-week-long work periods. “It’s like an internship, but for an experienced hire. And businesses can see right away if you’re a fit for the company,” says Karim.

Women@Work has collaborated with companies such as EY Visa, AXA Insurance and Dubai Business Women's Council as its training partners. It also helps women find work through recruitment services. Since the 2014 launch, Karim says her team have helped more than 1,000 women.

She says returning to work after a break isn't easier in any particular industry. It also depends on how long the break is, with one year being a lot easier than five or more years. For those looking to get back in the game, Karim says: "Make sure you are relevant and up to speed in your industry. Read relevant publications, publish content on social media that will get you seen, and network. If you're having trouble finding an opportunity, offer to do pro bono work, volunteer and build that confidence."

Consider a career shift

However, it cannot be discounted that not all women will be willing or able to get back to the grind after childbirth. For them, Karim recommends freelance or park-time work.

“You have to ask yourself if you can realistically revisit your old career. If it involves a lot of travel or is very demanding, is that what you want?”

Switching careers, while daunting, is another option. Dubai interior designer Anam Clarke says: “My elder sister is intelligent as can be, and used to head an entire floor of people in finance. But after having children, she struggled to find even an entry-­level position in her field. And almost all her [mum] friends were having a similar problem. She had to retrain. And that requires you to take a block out of your life – which is easy if you’re young, but not so much if you’re a mother.”

Anam Clarke is an interior designer and founder of The Designers’ Studio. Courtesy The Designers’ Studio
Anam Clarke is an interior designer and founder of The Designers’ Studio. Courtesy The Designers’ Studio

This was the inspiration behind the launch of Clarke’s The Designers’ Studio, which provides career-focused education in interior design, with courses accredited by UK and UAE institutions such as the CPD Certification service and KHDA.

Its certificate courses can be completed in four weeks, with participants attending once a week (on Saturdays or Sundays with convenient timings for mothers and working ­professionals who have to pick up and drop off schoolchildren) and its diplomas take roughly a year, after completing seven courses. It also helps students to find internships and jobs.

Clarke says 85 per cent of the studio’s students are women, of whom 70 per cent are mothers.

Following its success in Dubai, Clarke started to get queries for a similar course in other emirates, which led The Designers’ Studio to launch beginner’s courses in Abu Dhabi last month.

Sayyora Bobokulova does some last-minute measurements before her presentation at The Designers' Studio in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National Section
Sayyora Bobokulova does some last-minute measurements before her presentation at The Designers' Studio in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National Section

“One of the draws of a career in art and design is that there are so many fields within it, from residential to gardens. Meanwhile, once you get your foot in the door, you can take on smaller projects or take a break between projects.”

Ultimately, Clarke encourages mums to think about what they want long-term.

“Industries are picking up, projects that have been put on the shelf during 2020 are now restarting. The economy is reviving, so it’s a good time to focus on what you want to do for the rest of your life.”

Feeding the thousands for iftar

Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth 

Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people

The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box

350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley

Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck

The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

Racecard

6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m 

7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m 

7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m 

8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m 

9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m  

Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):

1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop

2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia -  £25m: Flop

3). Erik Lamela - Roma -  £25m: Jury still out

4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen -  £25m: Success

5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic -  £21m: Flop

6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar -  £18m: Flop

7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers -  £18m: Flop

8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb -  £17m: Success

9). Paulinho - Corinthians -  £16m: Flop

10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham -  £16m: Success

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions

Company profile

Name: The Concept

Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 7

Sector: Aviation and space industry

Funding: $250,000

Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sunday's games

All times UAE:

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace, 4pm

Manchester City v Arsenal, 6.15pm

Everton v Watford, 8.30pm

Chelsea v Manchester United, 8.30pm

While you're here
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

If you go

The Flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.

The trip

Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Poacher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERichie%20Mehta%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nimisha%20Sajayan%2C%20Roshan%20Mathew%2C%20Dibyendu%20Bhattacharya%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

Teri%20Baaton%20Mein%20Aisa%20Uljha%20Jiya
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amit%20Joshi%20and%20Aradhana%20Sah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECast%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shahid%20Kapoor%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%2C%20Dharmendra%2C%20Dimple%20Kapadia%2C%20Rakesh%20Bedi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

The%20stats%20and%20facts
%3Cp%3E1.9%20million%20women%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20developing%20cervical%20cancer%20in%20the%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E80%25%20of%20people%2C%20females%20and%20males%2C%20will%20get%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV)%20once%20in%20their%20lifetime%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOut%20of%20more%20than%20100%20types%20of%20HPV%2C%2014%20strains%20are%20cancer-causing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E99.9%25%20of%20cervical%20cancers%20are%20caused%20by%20the%20virus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EA%20five-year%20survival%20rate%20of%20close%20to%2096%25%20can%20be%20achieved%20with%20regular%20screenings%20for%20cervical%20cancer%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2025%20to%2029%20should%20get%20a%20Pap%20smear%20every%20three%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EWomen%20aged%2030%20to%2065%20should%20do%20a%20Pap%20smear%20and%20HPV%20test%20every%20five%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EChildren%20aged%2013%20and%20above%20should%20get%20the%20HPV%20vaccine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Aryan%20Lakra%2C%20Ashwanth%20Valthapa%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20CP%20Rizwaan%2C%20Hazrat%20Billal%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%20and%20Zawar%20Farid.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Chelsea 3 (Abraham 11', 17', 74')

Luton Town 1 (Clark 30')

Man of the match Abraham (Chelsea)