'There is nothing wrong with tears, but do not let them stop you'

Azza Sulaiman has had first-hand involvement in the amazing progress Emirati women have made in the workplace over the past two decades.

Azza Sulaiman, director of housing at the UAE Ministry of Public Works.

DUBAI // Azza Sulaiman has been involved in the remarkable progress Emirati women have made in the workplace over the past two decades.

Ms Sulaiman obtained an engineering degree in interior architecture at UAE University, Al Ain, in 1991 and joined the Ministry of Public Works the following year. She has since become the director of the housing department.

“When I started working at the ministry it was difficult for my family to let me work there with men,” she says. “The only place where we could work was schools but only in women’s schools – not working with men.

“So it wasn’t easy 20 years ago but nowadays the Government gives women space, not only at work but also in politics. We have a lot of support in the Government and there are a lot of women everywhere.

“I don’t feel men see us as competitors. They give us all the support.”

Ms Sulaiman, 42, says she is proud of what women have achieved in the workplace in the UAE and the rest of the Gulf.

“In general, women have made the Gulf a great success,” she says. “I think that what you are looking for from women in the Gulf at the moment is for them to contribute to the development of the new generation in society, through their culture and their knowledge and enthusiasm.”

Ms Sulaiman, a widowed mother of three from Dubai, was last year’s overall winner in the professional category of the Emirates Women Award. She says the experience gave her the faith in herself she needed to take on other challenges.

She stood for election in last September’s elections for the FNC, and although she did not win a seat she enjoyed the experience and would like to stand again. She has also started her own business.

“By getting this award you have more self-confidence and more belief in yourself,” says Ms Sulaiman. “It gave me the confidence to stand in the election. I had never tried to share in the political life before, and it was a great chance.”

She was so keen to attend last year’s awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai that she flew back without any luggage from Riyadh, where she was representing the UAE at a meeting of the GCC. Afterwards she took a late flight back to the Saudi capital.

“When they announced my name as overall winner it was amazing,” Ms Sulaiman says. “It felt exactly like a beauty contest. I felt so happy but at the same time I wanted to cry.

“So it was worth it to come from Riyadh to Dubai. Sometimes we miss something, maybe in our neighbour’s house, because we don’t have the passion to go.

“This was also a lesson: that to come from Riyadh wasn’t that big a deal. It’s like, ‘I can do it, why not? Nothing can stop me’.

“Going back to Riyadh I was carrying the trophy and the certificate with an amazing smile; I’ve never smiled like that. I would definitely advise other women to apply for the award, for sure.”

Ms Sulaiman’s department is responsible for housing in the Northern Emirates, and she makes recommendations on policy and strategy and oversees housing applications in rural areas.

She says the secrets of succeeding range from basics such as working hard and developing skills and abilities, to surrounding yourself with positive people whenever possible.

“Sometimes it’s about the people who are around you, your environment,” Ms Sulaiman says.

“It’s always good to be with a positive group but sometimes this won’t be. Whether at work or in life, you are surrounded by people who think negatively.”

She advises young women setting out in their careers to set a goal and strive to achieve it.

“Do not give up,” Ms Sulaiman says. “There is nothing wrong with some tears, fear and anxiety, but do not let them stop you.”

The closing date for applications for the Emirates Women Award is April 19. Details are available at www.ewa.ae.