LEADING WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION AWARDED AT THE BIG 5

The first Women in Construction Seminar & Awards launched today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, as part of The Big 5, the Middle East’s largest construction event. Organised in association with Mott MacDonald, the Seminar addressed the challenges that women face in terms of equal opportunities in construction, a traditionally male dominated sector.

Anwaar Al Shimmari, Chief Innovation Officer at the UAE Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Cynthia Corby, Audit Partner & Middle East Construction Industry Leader at Deloitte & Touche Middle East, Hind Alowais, Vice President International Participants at EXPO 2020, and Dr. Shetha Al-Zubaidi, CEO Alfahim Avenue Group Companies - Brookson Project Management, were among the many high profile professionals who participated as speakers in the event.

In her opening remarks, Josine Heijmans, Portfolio Director at dmg events, said:

“As we pursue our mission to support and move the building industry forward, we recognize that developing the construction sector also means developing its work force.

 “With The Big 5’s Women in Construction Seminar & Awards, not only we are putting women empowerment and gender parity in construction on top of the agenda. We are also shedding light on some of the great women who are changing the game and making an impact in the construction sector."

A panel of experts awarded Jovana Lukac, Structural Engineer at Robert Bird Group, and Suheir Islam, Geotechnical Engineer at SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins, as Next-Generation Woman of the Year 2018.

Suad Khawaja, Dubai Area Manager at Parsons, was awarded Woman in Leadership of the Year, in light of her outstanding achievements and leadership skills and positive impact on the industry.

Shorouq Hamawi, Regional Communications and Marketing Manager at Mott Macdonald, and one of the speakers at the Women in Construction Seminar, said: “Continuing from the UAE’s leadership vison and its approach to women’s empowerment, we believe this is a great opportunity to showcase our commitment to support and value women in construction.

“Traditionally, women have faced challenges related to pay gap, career development, promotion opportunities and leadership appointments. We are however seeing policy changes and new practices in place to close the pay gap and to introduce more friendly regulations that should allow women to have a balance between their professional and private lives which will ultimately, allow women to pursue leadership opportunities and invest more in their career development journey.”

^{[Read more at: WITH GENDER PARITY IN CONSTRUCTION STILL FAR-OFF, THE BIG 5 LAUNCHES “WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION”]}

Taking place on November 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Women in Construction Seminar & Awards is part of The Big 5, which hosts over 2,500 construction companies from more than 60 countries.

The event, on its 39th edition, is expected to pave the way for new partnerships and investments, connecting professionals from around the world, in Dubai. 

HVAC R Expo – the new event dedicated to the HVACR industry, The Big 5 Solar – bringing solar solutions for construction, the Urban Design & Landscaping Expo (UDLE) - the region’s only event dedicated to landscaping, infrastructure and urban development, The Big 5 Heavy – the leading event dedicated to infrastructure and heavy construction in the Middle East, and Middle East Concrete (MEC) – the region’s largest event dedicated to concrete, also run as part of The Big 5 this year.

The mega construction event offers a broad education agenda to exhibitors and visitors alike, comprising more than 100 free to attend, CPD-certified workshops, as well as five high-profile Summits.

^{[Read more at 6 EVENTS, 5 HIGH-LEVEL SUMMITS, 100+ WORKSHOPS, AND OVER 2,500 EXHIBITING COMPANIES: THE WORLD OF CONSTRUCTION CONVENES IN DUBAI FOR THE BIG 5.]}

To know more about The Big 5 (26-29 November, Dubai World Trade Centre) visit www.thebig5.ae.