7th Middle East Businesswomen and Leaders Achievement Awards honours women

Organized annually by the Middle East Excellence Awards Institute, the awards program celebrates the remarkable achievements of the region's successful women leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals.

Sponsored by Rivoli Group / Montblanc, this year's awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Burj Al Arab Hotel, where the Hon Mary Robinson former President of Ireland presided as chief guest.

Other VIP guests included, HE Dr. Massoumeh Ebtekar, former Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mervat Tellawy, Ambassador, League of Arab States, and Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Head of Ajman Culture and Information Department.

Before presenting the awards, Mrs. Robinson delivered a short address in which she discussed the need for women leaders to develop a new and enabling kind of leadership where those who have the resources and the power help those who do not. She also stated that business leadership should not only be about making money, but about being a good global citizen as well.

She ended her address by congratulating the region and Dubai and the UAE in particular on its impressive growth and development but cautioned that the more success they achieve the more scrutiny they will fall under and it is now time to move forward towards real equity to ensure rights for all those working to build this region. The awards, which were announced by Ali Al Kamali, Chairman, Middle East Awards Excellence Institute and presented by Mrs. Robinson, were presented in 6 categories.

The winners of the 2008 Middle East Businesswomen and Leaders Awards were:
Media Women of the Year - Al Jazeera Network, QATAR

Normally awarded as the Media Woman of the Year award, this year the award was given to all the women of Al Jazeera Network for their collective outstanding contribution to the media industry in the region.

Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year - Amna Bin Hendi, Deputy President, Bin Hendi Group, UAE
This award honors the vision, flair, acumen, professionalism, and business ethics of a young woman who has established a business and led it to success. This award is a means to encourage to all young businesswomen in the Middle East in their mission to take the regional economy to new heights.

Woman Achiever of the Year - Hanae Zouhair CEO, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Fund to Support Women Small Enterprises, KSA
This award recognizes the achievements of women within their communities. It honors a woman for her outstanding role and contribution to the development of women within her community, whether it is in business or personal life.
Business Woman of the Year - Safa Abdurrahman Al Hashem, Chairman & Managing Director, Consulting Advantage, Kuwait
This award identifies a woman from the region who leads her business with great success. It recognizes the innovative, financial, entrepreneurial, and people skills that make her a good businesswomen with visionary strategies that achieve extraordinary results.
Woman Personality of the Year - Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Zayed Bin Saqer Al Nuhayyan, President, Umm Al Moumineen Women Association, Ajman UAE

This award pays tribute to the remarkable acumen of a woman - her overall excellence, achievements and innovative leadership. It recognizes the impact of her contribution to her organization, community, industry, and the economy and, in the process, highlights the important role that women leaders play in today's organizations and how they inspire a new generation of women.

Woman in Education Services - Dr. Nouriya Al Sobeeh, Minister of Education, Kuwait
This award acknowledges the fact that education is critically important in today's knowledge-intensive economy. It recognizes a woman's significant role in improving educational institutions, curricula, teaching methods, and school administration in such a way that contributed to the overall development of education in the region.

Khaleej Times and City 7 TV were Media Gold Sponsors for the event.