By : Wael Elhosany
The continued support of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for its female employees plays a fundamental role in consolidating national efforts aimed at sustaining the UAE’s achievements in women empowerment.
DEWA’s relentless efforts to enhance the effective presence of female employees in the energy sector, especially renewable and clean energy and sustainability, contribute to preserving the UAE’s leadership in supporting the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, including gender equality.
The country has made significant progress in gender balance in 2022, by advancing to 11th globally, and it ranked first in the Arab world on the Gender Inequality Index (GII) of the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report 2022.
“DEWA focuses on empowering women in senior and technical positions. It offers equal opportunities for both men and women. This makes it a role model for public and private organisations inside and outside the UAE. It provides a positive, motivational and happy work environment that supports female employees and helps them prove their capability and competence.
This consolidates the outstanding Emirati model, which was initiated by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and is supported by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (Mother of the Nation).
This model is based on enhancing women’s participation in various fields and making Emirati women an icon of our national achievements that enjoy global appreciation and respect. Our female employees record daily achievements that support the excellence and leadership of DEWA as one of the best utilities worldwide,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
The number of female employees at DEWA has reached 1,940, working in all its departments, including 813 in the engineering and technical sector. Around 1,070 female employees occupy supervisory positions at DEWA. Emirati female employees constitute 83.56% of the total female workforce, and the percentage of Emirati female employees in the Research and Development Centre is 31%, with higher academic degrees in scientific and engineering fields.
“DEWA is one of the largest government organisations to employ women in technical positions within the energy sector in Dubai. DEWA’s top management is keen to empower women at all levels, believing that women are essential partners in building the country, maximising its gains, as well as enhancing its competitiveness in all fields. Women are an important pillar in the sustainable development process and active partners in the nation’s achievements. They have proven their competence in various sectors, including the energy sector,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Government Communications at DEWA.
“Our top management is keen to enhance the role of women and enable them to actively participate in the success and excellence of DEWA. This supports the distinction and competitiveness of the UAE. This is by providing all elements of success and creativity to all its employees, who were able to shape the success of DEWA’s journey and track record of achievements,” said Amal Koshak, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at DEWA.
“DEWA has many inspiring stories of Emirati women who work to achieve national aspirations and keep the nation’s flag raised high in all fields across the Arab world, the region and the globe. These women are the best ambassadors of our beloved country in various international arenas and sectors,” said Dr Aaesha Alnuaimi, Director of the Innovation Centre at DEWA.
“DEWA’s Youth Council attaches great importance to strengthening the role of women and youth in the energy sector. This aims to consolidate the gains achieved by the UAE in the past years and carry on the journey of ambitious achievements in the coming years. An array of DEWA’s female employees have succeeded in enhancing their position among young successful competencies. They effectively contributed to igniting the capabilities of DEWA’s youth,” said Aysha Alremeithi, DEWA’s Youth Council President.
“DEWA Women’s Committee is committed to providing all the opportunities that help female employees, regardless of their positions and responsibilities, to succeed, develop and keep pace with emerging changes, so that they remain role models in effective national action. This is in line with the directives of the wise leadership in the country to enhance the status of women and empower them in various sectors. In this regard, the committee organised more than 50 community, professional and specialised activities during 2022, and received four delegations as part of benchmarking visits.
The percentage of female employees’ satisfaction towards the committee’s performance reached 94.5%. During the past three years, DEWA’s female employees obtained more than 50,000 training opportunities and 63 scholarships. DEWA also received 28 fresh graduates as interns during 2022, 26 are in the fields of engineering and other specialised fields. This reflects the clear and effective role of DEWA in promoting women’s leadership in all fields,” said Fatima Al Jokar, Legal Advisor - Legal Affairs, Chairperson of DEWA Women’s Committee.
“DEWA provides all the tools and enablers that help female employees meet the highest standards of excellence. DEWA also encourages the participation of female employees in various internal and external individual awards, and helps them advance in their career path, in a way that meets their aspirations and enhances their role in achieving national goals,” said Mahra Saeed Bin Touq Almarri- Deputy Senior Manager – Excellence - Distribution Power at DEWA.
“DEWA allows us to actively participate in bringing about a positive change in society at the economic, environmental and social levels. This contributes to its growth and advancement. Moreover, DEWA helps us participate in awareness-raising and interactive activities that aim to ensure sustainable development and a balance between economic growth and environmental needs,” said Maryam Abdulaziz Khansaheb- Manager of Corporate Sustainability, Business Development and Excellence at DEWA.
“I am proud of my work at DEWA, and I try to make the most of the wide horizons that DEWA offers to all its employees to learn about the latest technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and keep pace with accelerating change. DEWA also encourages our participation in many international conferences to represent Emirati women in international forums,” said Tawadod Rashid Almutawa, Assistant Manager - Innovation Alliance, Innovation and Future at DEWA.
