Jawaher Al Qasimi Promotes Women to Leadership Positions in Sharjah

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), has issued an administrative decision to promote a number of women officials to leadership positions across departments in Sharjah.

Her Highness’ decision included appointing Reem Abdul Rahim BinKaram as Director of NAMA and Sheikha Hind bint Majed Al Qasimi as Acting Chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC). It also included forming the NAMA Executive Committee, comprising Noura Al Noman, Chairperson of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi ExecutiveOffice, Erum Mazher Alvie, Senior Advisor at Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi Executive Office, and Nada Al Lawati, SBWC Member and a leading businesswoman with businesses across the UAE and the region.

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi’s decision reflects her vision to recruit young nationals from within the high-achieving community of Emirati women, enabling them to contribute more effectively to public life. The appointments is in line with the UAE’s rich tradition of women efficiently leading national institutions and playing an instrumental role in an array of sectors. 

In her new role as Director of NAMA, Reem BinKaram will supervise the establishment’s tasks and functions, develop strategies to achieve its goals and select the human resources capable of implementing the organisation’s overall vision. She will also be NAMA’s ambassador at various conferences and events at the local, regional and international levels.

BinKaram graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2002 and began her career at Dubai Airports and her family’s BinKaram Group. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn For Creating Future Leaders and a member of the Sharjah Tatweer Forum. She is also the Head of the Pink Caravan Event Committee and has served as a board member of Sharjah Children Centres (SCC) since 2013.

BinKaram has exhibited exemplary leadership and managerial skills in the various senior positions she has held. She worked diligently as the Director of SCC to implement Her Highness’ vision of providing world-class services to children and by shaping them to become future leaders. She has been the force behind the continued growth and success of the Sharjah Children Biennial, the fifth edition of which is scheduled to commence on January 15, 2017.

NAMA aims to shift from the phase of women empowerment to advancing and elevating women's roles in the economic, professional and social sectors through initiatives and programmes implemented in the UAE and beyond. The establishment’s objectives emphasise the integral role women play in developing human resources, especially in emerging markets and communities. Three key entities operate under NAMA’s umbrella; SBWC, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi) and the NAMA Fund For Women’s Advancement.

In her new role as the Acting Chairperson of SBWC, Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi will develop plans and strategies to achieve the council’s vision and goals that are aimed at creating a supportive environment for women in the UAE. This includes training women and encouraging them to start their own businesses, enhancing their role in social and economic development and enabling them to contribute to the transformation of Sharjah into a dynamic hub that attracts a variety of commercial activities. She will be representing SBWC on different forums in the UAE and internationally.

Al Qasimi is a key entrepreneur whose fascination with Emirati heritage has led her to the field of porcelain design. She is the founder of ‘Designed by Hind’ in which she fuses Emirati tradition with contemporary elements and has taken part in a number of local and international exhibitions. Al Qasimi is a regular participant of the programmes and events of Irthi and was responsible for launching the ‘One Stitch at a Time’ tea set during an Irthi trade delegation visit to London.

Noura Al Noman is the Chairperson of the Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. She graduated from the United Arab Emirates University gaining a bachelor’s degree in English Literature in 1986, which she followed with a master’s degree in Translation from the American University of Sharjah.

Erum Mazher graduated from Smith College, USA with honours, gaining a bachelor’s degree in Art. She served as head of various departments in Sharjah and then as Director of Sharjah Ladies Club. She was subsequently appointed Management and Development Advisor at Her Highness' Executive Office. Mazher has had a distinguished career in the social sector overseeing a variety of initiatives under Her Highness' patronage and was awarded the Sheikha Jawaher Medal for Contribution and Excellence in 2007.

Nada Al Lawati has a BA in International Finance, Franklin College, Switzerland and is the founder and Chairperson of SEED Group in the UAE, with a focus on Systems for Early Education & Development. The group also focuses on child health and nutrition developing healthy eating options under their brand Mum Mum.  She’s part of Think Tank on Global Education Harvard School of Education Boston, US. Prior to founding SEED Group Nada worked with and advised leading international brands across the region.

NAMA was founded in December 2015 under an Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, with the blessing of 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. Chaired by Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, NAMA is headquartered in Sharjah.

Established in 2002, SBWC aims to create and enhance the work environment for women and to train and prepare women to enter into private economic activities that will lead to greater social and economic development. To achieve its aim, the council carries out a range of programmes and activities, including conferences, seminars, workshops and research. It also forges partnerships with government and private organisations and foundations in the UAE and beyond.