DEWA Women’s Committee reviews plans for 2017

Dubai / Emirates Business

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Women’s Committee reviewed the approved updates to the committee’s vision, goals, values, and work during its first meeting. The meeting took place at DEWA’s main office, and was chaired by Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications at DEWA, and Chairperson of DEWA Women’s Committee. At the beginning of the meeting, Al Mehairi welcomed and thanked the new committee members and attendees, and discussed the agenda of the committee’s activities, in addition to its plans and strategy for 2017.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, expressed his pleasure and gratitude for the committee’s achievements, and the ultimate support it provides to the female staff by motivating them to be creative and innovative, and engaging them in different internal and external events, programmes and initiatives.
“The wise leadership gives high priority to Emirati women. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, reiterates this support for women in the UAE during all occasions and events. At DEWA, we adhere to the directives of the wise leadership and have become a leading government entity to empower women both professionally and socially. DEWA is the largest government organisation to employ women in technical positions within the energy sector in Dubai. DEWA provides a positive and motivating work environment to empower society through women. DEWA employs 1,785 female staff in its operations, 601 work in engineering and other technical positions. 78% of DEWA’s female workforce are Emirati Nationals. There are 266 female employees in managerial positions in DEWA. Female staff were given over 25,000 training opportunities in the past three years in addition to 125 scholarships. The most recent figures show that 163 female new graduates trained at DEWA. Out of this, 100 are graduates in engineering and other specialised areas. In 2015 and 2016, 60 Emirati female students and staff took part in the Carbon Ambassadors Programme, which DEWA organises in cooperation with UNDP. 50 out of 67 of our community programmes are managed by female employees. 60% of the employees who lead the environmental awareness and conservation programmes and community outreach programmes are women. This is the best example of empowering the community through working women,” said Al Tayer.
“We are keen on supporting the Women’s Committee by ensuring all its needs and requirements. We provide our female staff with a secure, stable and developed working environment. At the beginning of the New Year 2017; the Year of Giving, we renew our commitment to provide maximum support to our female staff in their quest for excellence and success. We are inspired by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who once observed: ‘Our job is to provide an environment that unlocks women’s potential – one that protects their dignity and femininity, helps them create the necessary balance in their lives, and values their talents and potential. Given this environment, I am confident that women will perform nothing short of miracles’,” concluded Al Tayer.
Al Mehairi noted that, with support from DEWA’s top management, DEWA Women’s Committee was established in 2010, and adopts a comprehensive approach that explores the different aspects that matter to women. It translates these into plans and programmes that develop women’s personal and life skills, while providing a positive and motivating work environment, enabling them to balance their professional and family lives. This has a positive effect, not only on DEWA, but also helps empower the community.
“DEWA Women’s Committee also works to enhance the participation of Emirati women in sport, and supports Dubai’s efforts to promote sporting events for women. We have organised a number of sporting events for our female staff in cooperation with other government organisations. Our female teams have achieved outstanding successes, including winning many first places at the Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament. These efforts have contributed to achieving an 81% satisfaction rate among female employees,” concluded Al Mehairi.
During the meeting, committee members highlighted objectives, strategic planning, administrative execution, support, spreading awareness, enhancing communication and education, social responsibility, and other key issues.
The committee also discussed means of achieving the happiness of DEWA’s female employees, and increasing their efforts to create an environment that supports their innovative professional and personal abilities.
At the end of the meeting, the committee approved a number of activities, and established development and technical sub-committees. The new sub-committee will be discussed in the next meeting, with key roles of each member being defined over the next two years.