Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan talks to The National about marking Ramadan with the same kind of philanthropy that her great-grandfather Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s Founding Father, pioneered, and how change in UAE boardrooms will affect future generations of women.
[Related: Read Sheikha Shamma’s thoughts in full in The National. | Read all of Sheikha Shamma’s opinion pieces for The National]
The importance of giving back was instilled in Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan from a young age.
“My great-grandfather was a visionary who cared deeply for the environment and was committed to sustainable development, knowing it would advance the nation.”
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan
Widely recognised for her expertise in sustainability, Sheikha Shamma is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, chief executive of Alliances for Global Sustainability, founder of the Circle of Hope Foundation, and co-founder of Aurora50.
“For example, a few weeks ago, the Securities and Commodities Authority announced that every board will require one female representative. This announcement opens the doors for many other women who aspire to have a seat at the table but currently cannot find that opportunity – not because they don’t merit it, but because cultural barriers prevent them from being nominated.
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