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ShareKUWAIT: Volvo marked International Women’s Day, on Saturday, with a collaborative Ghabga aimed at celebrating and empowering women. Farah Asaad, Brand Experience Specialist at BNK Automotive, said “This event is all about women empowering each other. We want to raise awareness that all these sister companies actively encourage women to grow and lead.”
BNK Automotive is also making strides in gender equality within the automotive industry; Asaad noted that Volvo’s team within BNK Automotive has an equal ratio of men and women, a rare achievement in the sector, adding “The Company’s service department is led by a female acting manager, a position traditionally dominated by men.” She continued, “In the automotive world, it’s uncommon to see a woman managing a service center.
We are proud to be part of an organization that supports women in leadership roles. Also, the marketing team is predominantly female, with women making up 80 percent of the department.” For her part, Lulwa Al-Qaoud, Senior engineer at Arkan Al-Kuwait Real Estate Company shared her journey of resilience and growth, emphasizing the challenges of balancing motherhood and a thriving career, saying “We are here to celebrate the resilience, ambitions, and achievements of women across the world and within our holding. We’re here to empower women with all of our success stories together.”
Reflecting on her own experience, Al-Qaoud spoke about transitioning from motherhood into the professional world, crediting her company for providing a supportive environment, something she acknowledged is not always the case globally. She described motherhood as an enlightening journey that has given her newfound patience, perspective, and the ability to work under pressure. She likened the balance between career and parenting to a “delicate dance”, emphasizing the importance of self-care.
Likewise, Norah Al-Shammari, Senior Associate Marketing & Corporate Communication of Investments Company (NIC), during her pregnancy found herself caught between two worlds. On one hand, there was the irresistible pull of returning to a professional life; on the other, a profound sense of loss for the life she once knew, saying “I was experiencing a lot of guilt post-partum because I wanted to be back at work.”
She realized that the skills she gained as a mother like resilience and focus made her even more valuable at work, adding “I’m happy to be a part of a company that accepted my transition, realized I’m not the same person anymore, and helped me become better.” For her part, Dominique Maria Diaz, PR & Communication Coordinator of Al-Safat, acknowledged the challenges of working in a demanding environment, adding “I had the privilege of working with a lot of people, a lot of beautiful women, half of them is here today. They’re so inspiring. I learn so much from them every day.”
She recalled, “I think what makes me proud is looking back at when I first came to Kuwait and knowing how not only scared but just hesitant about whether I was going to do well if I could push myself. I’m an ambitious person I wanted to reach a level that my family could be proud of, someday my kids could be proud of.” As she reflects on her journey, Diaz finds strength in the community around her, she said “I have a lot of people in my life that have been very supportive, that inspire me every day. Not only my co-colleagues, I have a great group of girlfriends, and it’s great to watch so many women in my life do so well, and have so many achievements, whether they’ve just got married, they’ve had kids or a work accomplishment.”
Meanwhile, Kuwait Times’ Content Creator Dhoha Al-Issa shared her experience on how TikTok which she used during the pandemic became the first step to her rising career. Despite doubts from people who warned her that no one would hire her because of her videos, Al-Issa proved them wrong. Embracing the digital revolution during the lockdown, she began producing engaging TikTok content that showcased her creativity and humor which eventually led her to be famous in the “Content creator” career.
Known as a woman-led business, Kuwait Times impressed Al-Issa not only with its progressive values but also with its all-women team, a dynamic she admired deeply. “It’s nice that my co-workers are mainly women, my boss is a woman, a great woman to learn under,” she said. During her speech, Fatemah Al-Habib, Founder of Qesati, said that she has redefined community building through the art of storytelling while creating a safe space where women and indeed every individual are invited to share their experiences without fear, forging a collective narrative that empowers and unites.
Al-Habib’s inspiration came from a simple yet profound saying that declared, “I am every woman,” explaining “I wouldn’t be able to understand that line had I not gone through the journey that I did. Because it requires a storyteller to understand that you are every single person around you.” After living abroad for 23 years, she returned to Kuwait only to discover that the sense of belonging she craved was missing.
“I realized that Kuwait was missing a space, a community where people could share their stories and experiences without feeling afraid, especially for a woman to do so.” The growth of Qesati has exceeded her expectations and what started as a personal project has blossomed into a vibrant community that not only celebrates individual journeys but also fosters a collective identity. Rebecca Watson, personal trainer at SVN, also shared her heartfelt experience of how her company celebrated and empowered its female workforce, adding “The initiative, driven by the Human Resources department, reached out to every woman in the organization, inviting them to join in a day of recognition and unity.”
She revealed that every woman at work received a rose a symbol of appreciation and strength, noting that this simple act of kindness set the tone for a day dedicated to honoring the contributions and resilience of women. Partnering with Kuwait Times, Kuwait News, Al-Safat, Arkan, NIC, Ride Safe, Qessati, Atyab Al-Marshoud, and Al-Thiqa, the event also featured panel discussions, personal success stories, an artistic exhibition on the sidelines, and a musical performance featuring a female artist playing the qanun.
