Dubai Duty Free Celebrates Emirati Women’s Day
Dubai Duty Free COO Ramesh Cidambi with some of Dubai Duty Free’s female Emirati staff
On August 28, Dubai Duty Free joined the nation in celebration of the Emirati Women’s Day, under the theme Women, Icons of Tolerance.
The event reflected on the importance of the Emirati women’s contribution and achievements in the development and welfare of the country.
Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi led the celebration together with the other members of the management team. He took this opportunity to thank its pool of female Emirati staff for their hard work by organizing a special event that include watching a documentary film entitled “My Work Is My Identity”, a motivational workshop by a young Emirati author and self-development coach, Hanan Al Sammak, author of the book “Hayatak” (Your Life), followed by pampering and photo sessions. Treats and giveaways were also enjoyed.
Commenting on the occasion, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said: “We joined the nation in today’s celebration of the Emirati Women’s Day and wish all our female Emirate employees the best of luck in the future. Many Emirati female are working in Dubai Duty Free for more than 20 years and a number of them are in senior management positions. The Emirati women are already involved in the many ministries, the armed forces, the police and so on, and I’m happy that many of them are also involved in Dubai Duty Free and I wish them well on this day and their part in the Year of Tolerance.”
Dubai Duty Free employs 61 Emirati female staff in retail and back offices including Mona Al Ali, who is the Senior Vice President, Human Resources Department. The retailer said it was on course to make further progress with the Emiratization of its workforce, which includes the development of its existing Emirati staff.
The celebration of Emirati Women’s Day was first announced on August 15, 2015 by 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. The date chosen to celebrate the occasion, August 28, coincides with the birth of the General Women’s Union on that date in 1975.
Also in attendance were Bernard Creed, Senior Vice President – Finance, Saba Tahir, Senior Vice President – Purchasing, Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support and Kumar Ananthan, Vice President – Finance.
