Woman This Month - July 2024

Bahrain Edition www.womanthismonth.com BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES July 2024 | Issue 252 PEOPLE BELGIAN HONORARY CONSUL Ms. Martine S. Kindt FORMER NAVAL OFFICER AND PASSIONATE BALLERINA Valerie Fourrier PALESTINIAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM Deema Youssef and Aya Khattab OPINION Heather Harper on Political Party Volunteering LIFESTYLE A Memorable Stay at Downtown Rotana PARENTING Ouiam El Hassani on Teens and Body Image SELFCARE Ultra Fresh Beauty Essentials! In Her Shoes KAWTHAR LANBARI FASHION What You Need This Summer

Womanthismonth.com 68 July 2024 FASHION | trends The title says it all really! The fact of the matter is that temperatures are rising to record levels this year. Here’s what you need to look and feel cool as you’re out and about. Layers are out and cool, breathable fabrics are in as temperatures rise beyond 40 degrees this summer. But just because you’re coping with the sweltering heat, doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish in the process. We’ve curated some of our favourite essentials for this summer to have you looking great whether you’re out at the beach or on an errand run. What You Need This Summer Summer Chic: Never Fully Dressed Co-Ords Never Fully Dressed reveals its latest drop of summer co-ord sets, setting the stage for a season of style and sophistication. Crafted with the modern woman in mind, the new summer co-ords from Never Fully Dressed epitomise effortless elegance fused with contemporary flair. Each ensemble is perfectly curated to exude confidence, offering fashion enthusiasts an impeccable blend of comfort and luxury for those balmy summer days and sultry nights. The collection showcases vibrant hues, captivating prints and luxe fabrics, ensuring wearers stand out wherever they go. From bold palm prints to timeless stripes, each co-ord set is designed to make a statement, whether it’s a leisurely brunch with friends or an evening soirée under the stars.

Womanthismonth.com July 2024 69 FASHION | trends Accessories That Make the Outfit: PDPAOLA The renowned jewellery brand PDPAOLA is thrilled to announce the launch of the Aqua Collection, an exquisite line of jewellery that’s just perfect for summer. This new collection is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the serenity of the sea, designed to bring elegance and sophistication to any wardrobe. Inspired by the Mediterranean, the Aqua Collection boasts a summer colour palette featuring blue hues and golden undertones. These versatile colours can be effortlessly incorporated into any wardrobe, capturing the essence of a holiday by the sea. Each piece echoes the tranquility of the water, with smooth contours and undulating shapes that reflect the beauty of the 90s aesthetics, reimagined for today’s fashion-forward audience. The collection introduces new possibilities in the pendants category with reinvented Drop pendants in transparent crystal rock. Additionally, new sphere shapes can be mixed with the drop pendants for a playful, modern look. The introduction of a new leather bow necklace offers even more styling options, making the pendant category a key visual differentiator in the collection. The distinctive designs and gemstones in the Aqua Collection offer statement pieces that truly stand out. These unique pieces are chunky yet sophisticated, providing an everyday appeal that is both bold and elegant. The Best Travel Companion: Tory Burch Whether you’re planning a staycation or a vacation, Tory Burch’s Summer 2024 collection is just what you need. The collections bright colours, metallic and handcrafted textures are sure to elevate any outfit. The Ella Hand-Crocheted Totes and Kira Sport Sandals are just what you need to a day at the beach or stroll around town. Trendy and fabulous!

BEAUTY | news Womanthismonth.com 70 July 2024 ALL YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! The new UAE-based clean beauty brand, Bamteek, and the cult Moroccan beauty brand, whind, are excited to announce their new partnership. United by their commitment to premium, cruelty-free and environmentally responsible beauty products, the duo brings you the best of sustainable and clean beauty this summer. The limited-edition, eco-friendly beauty pouch serves as the ultimate travel companion. Made from sustainable canvas fabric, this pouch is perfect for the ecoconsciousness and comes filled with skincare essentials. The travel size pouch features Bamteek’s Travel Towel, whind’s Marrakech Rich Ultimate Cream in 15ml for the perfect boost of nourishment, Medina Dew Melting Rose Water Cream in 15ml for a burst of dewy moisture and Marrakech Light Illuminating Magic Oil in 10ml for that ultimate glow on the go. Experience the essence of seamless skincare on the go! Available at bamteek.com and whind.com. A SPRITZ OF FLORAL FRESHNESS We all have an adventure with N°5 to share. The iconic House essence of Chanel has imbued our memories in such a way, that its mere presence can bring back a smile, a journey, a loved one or an emotion. Now CHANEL Nr L’EAU an enchanting fragrance with ˊoral freshness is here to create new memories this summer. It is an impulsive radiant drop of fragrance whose dazzling citrus rays soar skywards, elevated by aldehydes. 7hen comes a ˊoral swirl of Masmine, rose and ylang-ylang, then finally, dynamic vetiver and cedar. It’s a captivating fragrance that creates memories for the wearer and all. This miracle fragrance now leaves its historical bottle behind and wears a second skin of glass that embodies the secret alchemy between strength and fragility required to capture passing time. Are you ready for a spritz of freshness this season? We know we are. Available at leading beauty stockists. The heat is on and with it comes the need for products that keep you feeling fresh, radiant and cool. We present you with five fantastic products that you’re sure to love this hot summer! Ultra Fresh

BEAUTY | news Womanthismonth.com July 2024 71 A new eco-luxury skincare brand, Clean Rebel, is your key to squeaky-clean, detoxed skin this hot summer. Each product is made with the finest food-grade organic and vegan oils, ˊoral waters and essences. Free from hormone disruptors, known carcinogens, and skin irritants, Clean 5ebel ensures that every ingredient is safe and effective. Ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably, with partnerships established with suppliers who share the same values. It’s Must we love to hear 7his summer, we’ve stocked up on the Essence Cleanser which gently and thoroughly removes makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup, purifying your skin while leaving it visibly invigorated, toned and nourished. Infused with refreshing Organic Cucumber Extract, it hydrates and soothes, providing water-soluble vitamins and detoxifying benefits. Our Essence Cleanser is the ideal first step in your skincare routine, preparing your skin for the hydration and moisture steps that follow. Embracing a holistic approach to beauty, Clean 5ebel believes true beauty is more than skin deep. The brand offers luxurious skincare products formulated with clean, high-performance ingredients, ushering in a new era of conscious beauty that benefits people, animals, and the planet. Available at cleanrebel.com. GET CLOSER TO YOUR HAIR GOALS! It’s no secret that we’re big fans of LUSH’s cruelty-free, clean beauty and selfcare products. With record-high temperatures, you’re likely going to need more frequent hair washes this summer. While we’re pursuing perfectly clean tresses, we’re also after our haircare goals of having LUSH-cious locks with the Wasabi Shan .ui shampoo. 7his stimulating wasabi, horseradish and caffeine shampoo can supercharge your hair follicles and scalp. Meanwhile, epsom salt and sea salt thickens and volumise your hair while virgin olive oil helps enhance tensile strength. It’s a recipe for hair that turns heads Available at LUSH branches and online at lush.com/mena. DETOX AND HYDRATE WITH CLEAN REBEL GLOW WITH MINIMALIST With hyperpigmentation, dullness and spots being maMor concerns, at home skin peels have grown in popularity for their great results. 7hese peels are gentle chemically exfoliants which help to remove impurities, detoxify your pores and promote new skin cell production through increased cellular turnover. You can achieve soft, supple skin with the Minimalist AHA 2 PHA BHA 2 Face Peel. 7he gentle face peel exfoliates on multiple levels, both on the surface and inside the pores, to give you healthy, glowing skin. 7he facial peel is infused with a blend of 2 AHA, PHA and 2 BHA to clear out congestion, promote elasticity and deliver baby-soft skin. It’s convenient dropper bottle makes it easy to use and store while carefully controlling the amount of product applied. Available at namshi.com.

Womanthismonth.com 72 July 2024 LIFESTYLE | opinion Heather Harper MBE is a former Bahrain resident who was a pioneer in the Gulf region’s broadcast media industry and one of the founding presenters of Bahrain 55 TV in the early 1980s. She is currently Chairman of the Bahrain Society in the UK, part of a familyowned energy company with origins in ĂŚƌĂŝŶ ĂŶĚ ŝƐ ĂŶ ĂĐƟǀĞ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ WĂƌƚǇ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ hŶŝƚĞĚ <ŝŶŐĚŽŵ͘ ^ŚĞ ǁŽƌŬĞĚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ĚŝǀŝĚĞ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ǁŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌŝŐŚƚ ŽĨ Ăůů ůŽŶŐͲ ƚĞƌŵ ĞǆƉĂƚƌŝĂƚĞƐ ƚŽ ǀŽƚĞ ŝŶ h< ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ĞůĞĐƟŽŶƐ ʹ ŐƌĂŶƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂƌŐĞƐƚ ĞůĞĐƚŽƌĂů enfranchisement increase since women ŐŽƚ ƚŚĞ ǀŽƚĞ ŝŶ ϭϵϮϴ͘ We asked her to share her thoughts on ǁŚǇ ĂŶĚ ŚŽǁ ƐŚĞ ĚĞĐŝĚĞĚ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ŝŶ ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ƉĂƌƚǇ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ͘ WŚĞŶ ƚŚĞ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů EůĞĐƟŽŶ ŝƐ ŽǀĞƌ͕ ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚƐ ŽĨ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ ŽĨ WĂƌƚǇ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ h< ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƚĂŬĞ Ă ďŝƚ ŽĨ ƟŵĞ Žī ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ ƚŽ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞŝƌ ǀŽůƵŶƚĂƌǇ ǁŽƌŬ͖ ƚŚĞƌĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƟŽŶ͕ ĚŝƐĂƉƉŽŝŶƚŵĞŶƚ͕ ƐĂƟƐĨĂĐƟŽŶ͕ ĚŝƐĐŽŶƚĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĞŵŽƟŽŶƐ͘ ƵƌŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ƵƐƵĂůůǇ ƐƚĂƌƚ ďǇ ďĞŝŶŐ ĂƐŬĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ƐƚƵī ĞŶǀĞůŽƉĞƐ Žƌ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌ ůĞĂŇĞƚƐ Žƌ ůĞƩĞƌƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͕ ĐŚĂůůĞŶŐŝŶŐ ĂǁŬǁĂƌĚ ůĞƩĞƌ ďŽǆĞƐ ŽŌ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĚŽŐ ďĂƌŬŝŶŐ ĨƵƌŝŽƵƐůǇ ƚŚĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƐŝĚĞ ;Ă ƟƉ is to take a wooden spatula with you to poke the ŇǇĞƌ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŽ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƚ ǇŽƵƌ ĮŶŐĞƌƐ͊ Ϳ͘ zŽƵ ŵĂǇ ďĞ ĂƐŬĞĚ ƚŽ ŬŶŽĐŬ ŽŶ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͛Ɛ ĚŽŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐĂŶǀĂƐƐ Žƌ ƚŽ ŚŽůĚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ŵƵĐŚ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ ĨƵŶĚƐ ƚŽ campaign for the chosen candidate. It is quite extraordinary seeing the way people ŽĨ Ăůů ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ƉĞƌƐƵĂƐŝŽŶƐ ŐĞƚ ŝŶƚŽ ŐĞĂƌ ĂŶĚ ƵƉ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĂŶƚĞ ŽĨ ĞŶŐĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ǀŽůƵŶƚĂƌǇ ůĞǀĞů ǁŚĞŶ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŐŽĂůƐ ĂƌĞ ƐĞƚ͘ &ŝƌƐƚ ƚŚĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŶŝƟĂů ĞǆĐŝƚĞŵĞŶƚ ǁŚĞŶ ĂŶ ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ŝƐ ĐĂůůĞĚ͕ ŶŽƚ ƚŽ ŵĞŶƟŽŶ ůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƐĞƚƐ ŽĨ ƌƵůĞƐ ŽŶĞ ŚĂƐ ƚŽ ĨŽůůŽǁ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ͘ The countless asks of friends and family who ŚĂǀĞ ƚŽ ƉƵƚ ƵƉ ǁŝƚŚ ǇŽƵƌ ƐŽŵĞǁŚĂƚ ŵĂŶŝĐ ƟŵĞƚĂďůĞƐ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůǇ ŝŶ Ă ƐŚŽƌƚ ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ͘ TŚĞƌĞ ŵĂǇ ďĞ ůŽĐĂů ŚƵƐƟŶŐƐ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŽƌŐĂŶŝƐĞ ĂŶĚ ĚĂŝůǇ candidate support. There is though usually great ĐĂŵĂƌĂĚĞƌŝĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĞƚ ƵƉƐ ĂŌĞƌ ĂŶ ĞǆŚĂƵƐƟŶŐ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌǇ ĚĂǇ͘ TŚĞŶ ĂŌĞƌ ƚŚŝƐ Ϯϰͬ ϳ ƌƵŶ ƵƉ ƚŽ ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĂĐƚƵĂů ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ĚĂǇ ǁŝƚŚ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ŵĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƉŽůůŝŶŐ ƐƚĂƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƋƵŝĐŬůǇ ƐĞƫŶŐ ƵƉ ĐĂŵƉĂŝŐŶ HYƐ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ƚŚĞ ǀŽƚĞ ŽƵƚ͘ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ WĂƌƚǇ ďĞŐĂŶ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŬŶŽĐŬ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŽƌ ƐŚŽƌƚůǇ ĂŌĞƌ I ƌĞƚƵƌŶĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ŝŶ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͘ A ƐŵŝůŝŶŐ ŐĞŶƚůĞŵĂŶ ƐĂŝĚ͕ “Good morning, I’m one of your local councillors ĂŶĚ ǁŽŶĚĞƌĞĚ ŝĨ ǇŽƵ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ŐĞƚ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ĂŶĚ ũŽŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďƌĂŶĐŚ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ AƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ͘͟ TŚŝƐ ǁĂƐ ĐůŽƐĞůǇ ĨŽůůŽǁĞĚ ďǇ CŽƵůĚ ǁĞ ŚŽůĚ ĂŶ ĞǀĞŶƚ Ăƚ ǇŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ͍͟ ĂŶĚ tŽƵůĚ ǇŽƵ ũŽŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ͍͘͟ ĞŝŶŐ ƐŽĐŝĂďůĞ͕ I ĂŐƌĞĞĚ to all and… well, the rest is history and that was ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚŝƌƚǇ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ ǇĞĂƌƐ ĂŐŽ͘ I ŚĂǀĞ ƐŝŶĐĞ ƚŚĞŶ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌĞĚ ŵǇ ǁĂǇ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ grass routes through countless local and General EůĞĐƟŽŶƐ ŚŽůĚŝŶŐ ŶƵŵĞƌŽƵƐ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ŽŶ ƌĂŶĐŚ͕ tŽŵĞŶ͛Ɛ ŐƌŽƵƉ͕ AƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĂƐ CŽŶƐƟƚƵĞŶĐǇ CŚĂŝƌŵĂŶ ŽĨ ĞĂĐŽŶƐĮĞůĚ͘ TŽĚĂǇ͕ I Ăŵ CŚĂŝƌŵĂŶ ŽĨ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞƐ AďƌŽĂĚ͕ Ă ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ŽĨ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ ǁŚĞƌĞ ĐĂŵƉĂŝŐŶŝŶŐ ŝƐ ŽďǀŝŽƵƐůǇ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ h< ĂƐ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ůĂƌŐĞůǇ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ͘ TŚĞ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ WĂƌƚǇ ŚĂĚ ůŽŶŐ ďĞĞŶ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƟǀĞ ŽĨ ŝƚƐ ŽǀĞƌƐĞĂƐ ĐŝƟǌĞŶƐ ĂŶĚ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŽ get the bit between my teeth and lobby the ƉŽůŝƟĐŝĂŶƐ ŚĂƌĚ ƚŽ ƐĐƌĂƉ ƚŚĞ ϭϱͲǇĞĂƌ ƌƵůĞ of disenfranchisement. ‘Votes for Life’ was ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ŝŶ :ĂŶƵĂƌǇ ƚŚŝƐ ǇĞĂƌ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ EůĞĐƟŽŶƐ ŝůů ϮϬϮϮ ŐŝǀŝŶŐ Ăůů ƌŝƟƐŚ ĐŝƟǌĞŶƐ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ŽǀĞƌƐĞĂƐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƌŝŐŚƚ ƚŽ ǀŽƚĞ ŝŶ h< ĞůĞĐƟŽŶƐ͘ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞƐ AďƌŽĂĚ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ĂůƐŽ successfully campaigned to appoint a dedicated DŝŶŝƐƚĞƌ ƚŽ ĐŚĂŵƉŝŽŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ ŽĨ ƌŝƚŽŶƐ ůŝǀŝŶŐ ŽǀĞƌƐĞĂƐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ CŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ WĂƌƚǇ ŵĂŶŝĨĞƐƚŽ͘ sŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ŵĞ ŚĂƐ ĐŽǀĞƌĞĚ Ă ǁŝĚĞ spectrum of interests including the Richings WůĂǇĞƌƐ͕ TŚĂŵĞƐ sĂůůĞǇ WŽůŝĐĞ͕ CƌŝŵĞƐƚŽƉƉĞƌƐ͕ ƚŚĞ RĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ AƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶƐ͕ ƌƵŐ&Ăŵ͕ ^ƚ͘ WĞƚĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ^ƚ LĞŽŶĂƌĚƐ ĐŚƵƌĐŚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŚĂǀĞ ďƌŽƵŐŚƚ ŵĞ ŝŶƚŽ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽ ŵĂŶǇ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŚĂǀĞ ƚƌƵůǇ enriched life in our community. DĂŶǇ ĂƐŬ͗ tŚǇ ĚŽ ǇŽƵ ĚŽ ƚŚŝƐ ǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌŝŶŐ͍͘͟ It’s the belief in helping make the community ďĞƩĞƌ ĨŽƌ Ăůů͘ FROM BAHRAIN TO BALLOTS

Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery July 2024 73 Woman of the Year Awards Launch Woman This Month, Bahrain’s leading women-centric magazine, announced the launch of its highly anticipated Woman of the Year Awards programme at a highly prestigious High Tea event held at Downtown Rotana. This initiative celebrates and empowers women who are making a significant impact across various sectors in Bahrain. bystander

Womanthismonth.com 74 July 2024 PEOPLE | interview NURTURING TIES WITH BELGIUM The Kingdom of Bahrain and Belgium have enjoyed diƉlomatic relations for over ϰϬ years. Woman This Month met with the ,onorary Consul for elgium in ahrain, Martine ^. <indt, who highlighted the ties between the two countries. Ms. Kindt was appointed as the Honorary Consul for Belgium in Bahrain in March 2023 by Royal Decree in Belgium. “I felt it was a great honour to represent my country abroad and to be of service,” says Ms. Kindt. Since the Honorary Consulate in Bahrain does not issue passports or visas, Ms. Kindt also guides Belgians to the relevant persons and services. “Bahrain falls under the competence of the Belgian Embassy in Kuwait and we have ĂŶ ĞǆĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶ ĨŽƌ ǀĂƌŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͕͟ ƐŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞƐ͘ “As Honorary Consul, my primary responsibility is to assist Belgians in need in Bahrain, be it a resident of the Kingdom or visitor,” she explains. “Secondly, I support my non-resident Ambassador and assist him with all ŶĞĐĞƐƐĂƌǇ ŵĂƩĞƌƐ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵǇ ƚŚŝƌĚ ĚƵƚǇ ŝƐ ƚŽ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚ ĞůŐŝƵŵ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ŽĨ ŵǇ ĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ ŚĞƌĞ ŝŶ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͕ Ăƚ ŽĸĐŝĂů ĞǀĞŶƚƐ Žƌ ĂŶǇ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŵĂƩĞƌ͘͟ TƌĂĚĞ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƚǁŽ ĐŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ ŐƌŽǁŶ ĐŽŶƐŝƐƚĞŶƚůǇ ƐŝŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ĨŽƌŵĂů ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ĚŝƉůŽŵĂƟĐ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐ ŽŶ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ Ϯ͕ ϭϵϴϬ͘ “Bahrain is business-friendly which is quite encouraging and I am quite impressed with how well-represented Belgian products here. Belgium mainly exports heavy machinery and parts to Bahrain, with companies like Besix having a strong presence here. Diamonds are also an important part of the exports,” she states. Several world-renowned food brands have been established in Belgium; these brands including mouth-watering Belgian chocolates such as Godiva and Guylian are widely distributed in the Kingdom. “Lotus Speculoos and plant-based products by Alpro are also popular apart from our famous Belgian beverages,” she says. ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ŽŶ ƚŚĞƐĞ ƌŽďƵƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞ ƌĞůĂƟŽŶƐ͕ DƐ͘ <ŝŶĚƚ ŚĂƐ ƐĞƚ ŚĞƌ ƐŝŐŚƚƐ ŽŶ ĂƐƐŝƐƟŶŐ ĞůŐŝĂŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ĞǆƉƌĞƐƐĞĚ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ ůƵĐƌĂƟǀĞ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ Žƌ ĞǆƉĂŶĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞŝƌ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƚŽ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͘ I ǁŽƌŬ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƵƌ EĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ AƩĂĐŚĠ͕ HE LĂƵƌĞŶĐĞ HĞǇďůŽŵŵĞ͕ ǁŚŽ ŝƐ ďĂƐĞĚ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ EŵďĂƐƐǇ ŝŶ <ƵǁĂŝƚ͘ ^ŚĞ ŝƐ ŝŶ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ ŽĨ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĂīĂŝƌƐ͕ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĞůŐŝĂŶ EǆƉŽƌƚ OƌŐĂŶŝƐĂƟŽŶƐ ;&IT͕ AǁĞǆ͕ HƵďͿ ĂŶĚ I͛ ŵ ĂƐƐŝƐƟŶŐ ŚĞƌ ĂƐ ŵƵĐŚ ĂƐ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ͘ I͛ ŵ ƉƌŽƵĚ ƚŽ ŵĞŶƟŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ǁĞ ŚĂĚ Ă ĞůŐŝĂŶ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ &ŝŶTĞĐŚ mission in October last year organised by our Belgian Embassy. Several ƉƌĞƐƟŐŝŽƵƐ ĞůŐŝĂŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ ǀŝƐŝƚĞĚ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͕ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ ŽƵƌƐĞ͕ AƌĐĂƉŝƚĂ͕ ĞƚĐ ĂŶĚ ŚĂĚ Ă ǀĞƌǇ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͕͟ ƐŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞƐ͘ HŝŐŚůŝŐŚƟŶŐ ƵƉĐŽŵŝŶŐ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶƐ͕ DƐ͘ <ŝŶĚƚ ƐƚĂƚĞƐ͗ TŚĞ ĚǇŶĂŵŝĐ ĂŚƌĂŝŶŝ AŵďĂƐƐĂĚŽƌ ĂƉƉŽŝŶƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƌƵƐƐĞůƐ͕ HE AďĚƵůůĂŚ ďŝŶ &ĂŝƐĂů bin Jabr Al Doseri and I are exploring how we can enhance exchanges and ĐŽŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶ͕ ďĞŝŶŐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ůĞǀĞů ŽĨ ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐǇ͕ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌǇ Žƌ ĞǀĞŶ ƐƉŽƌƚƐ͘ I ĂůƐŽ ǀŝƐŝƚĞĚ ĞƌĂƐĂƚ ŝŶ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ ĂŶĚ ĞǆĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ ǀŝĞǁƐ ŽŶ ƐƵďũĞĐƚƐ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ Žƌ ŐƌĞĞŶ ĞŶĞƌŐŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ǁĂƐ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞůǇ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ƋƵĂůŝƚǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶ͘͟ OŶ :ƵůǇ Ϯϭ͕ ĞůŐŝƵŵ ǁŝůů ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ŝƚƐ NĂƟŽŶĂů ĂǇ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŵŝůŝƚĂƌǇ ĚĠĮůĠ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁĞĚ ďǇ ĮƌĞ ǁŽƌŬƐ͘ OƵƌ ĐŽƵŶƚƌǇ ŝƐ ŐƌĞĂƚ Ăƚ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƟŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ĚĂǇ ʹ ĞǀĞƌǇ ĐŝƚǇ ŚŽƐƚƐ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͕ ĮƌĞǁŽƌŬƐ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂů ĨŽŽĚ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĞǀĞƌǇǁŚĞƌĞ͘ IŶ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͕ ǁĞ ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ŽŶ NŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ŽƵƌ ĞůŐŝĂŶ <ŝŶŐ͛ Ɛ ĚĂǇ͘ OĨ ĐŽƵƌƐĞ͕ ǁĞ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ĞƋƵĂůůǇ ĞǀĞƌǇďŽĚǇ ƚŽ ũŽŝŶ ƵƐ ǁŚĞŶ ŽƵƌ ŶĂƟŽŶĂů ĨŽŽƚďĂůů ƚĞĂŵ ŝƐ ƉůĂǇŝŶŐ͕ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ EƵƌŽ ϮϬϮϰ͕͟ ƐŚĞ ƐĂǇƐ͘ “Being in a wonderful host country, I aim to bring the best experience to ďŽƚŚ͗ ŵǇ ĐŽƵŶƚƌǇ ĂŶĚ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ͕͟ ƐŚĞ ĐŽŶĐůƵĚĞƐ͘

Womanthismonth.com July 2024 75 In a region fraught with political turmoil and societal constraints, the Palestinian Women’s National Football Team has emerged as a symbol of resilience and inspiration. Under the leadership of manager Deema Youssef and captain Aya Khattab, the team navigates a path laden with challenges but driven by an unwavering commitment to the sport and their country. They spoke to Woman This Month to share their heroic story. Ms. Youssef, a former player and captain for the team before becoming its dedicated manager, begins by revealing the difficulty it has functioning on the international stage. “Managing the team, especially in the current challenging environment, is a significant responsibility. It’s not as easy as it sounds,” she explains. “There are numerous obstacles we face, from facilitating matches and practices to ensuring the safety of our players. The community is not as open to women’s sports as we hope for it to be someday.” Despite these hurdles, she finds immense satisfaction in her role. “It brings me so much joy to see the girls pursuing their dreams of playing football and representing Palestine. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do myself. Moving from being a team captain to this managerial role is very important for me personally.” The team’s journey on the international stage began in 2008 with its first international match, which ended in a tie. “It was a historic moment for Palestinian women’s football,” Ms. Youssef reminisces. She was quick to emphasise the team’s ambitions to reach the World Cup, highlighting the progressive steps the Palestinian Football Association is taking to achieve this goal. “We see how women’s football is reaching global stages nowadays, and we hope one day to be part of that. We are working step-by-step with a very young team, aged between 16 and 29.” Ms. Khattab, the team captain, progressed with the national side through various age levels. “I’ve been playing for the team for about 10 years now,” she explains. “As a young girl, I was inspired by the Brazilian legend Marta and I’ve tried to emulate her. I started with the under 14s, 16s and 18s, before becoming a regular player and now captain.” Both women were keen to shine a light on the impact of ongoing political issues on the team’s training and preparation. “It’s really hard for us. We stopped all sporting events or competitions throughout the country since the start of the war,” Ms. Youssef noted. “Getting the players together is a significant challenge due to checkpoints and border restrictions. Some training camps have as few as six players instead of the full team.” The team faces severe logistical challenges, with military presence and safety concerns affecting their operations and morale. Despite these difficulties, the team’s spirit remains unbroken as it prepares for upcoming competitions, including the West Asia and Asian competitions next year. “We are very resilient people,” Ms. Khattab asserts. “Even with all the challenges, we manage to continue. We have faced situations like tear gas being thrown at us during a match, but we push through.” The team also strives to connect internationally, recently playing a match against a local team in Ireland, Bohemians, and it had a significant impact. “We are open to any opportunity to play internationally, as it represents more than just competition for us; it’s about being seen and heard,” Ms. Youssef argues proudly. “We encourage international teams to reach out, so we can continue to foster hope and showcase our unyielding spirit.” IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FOOTBALL Scan to watch the video PEOPLE | interview

Womanthismonth.com 76 July 2024 Farah Baig discovers the hospitality jewel in the heart of Manama that is Downtown Rotana. She tells all about her day of rest, relaxation and indulgence that tops the list of her staycation experiences. “I really could use a break.” Friends, family and every willing ůŝƐƚĞŶĞƌ ŚĂǀĞ ƉƌŽďĂďůǇ ŚĞĂƌĚ ŵĞ ƐĂǇ ƚŚŝƐ Ă ŚƵŶĚƌĞĚ ƟŵĞƐ over the last few months. The reality of being an adult ŵĞĂŶƐ ƚŚĂƚ ǇŽƵ ƌĞĂůůǇ ĐĂŶ͛ ƚ ĚƌŽƉ ǇŽƵƌ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƟĞƐ ĂŶĚ head to the airport whenever you feel like it. Lucky for me, ŵǇ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ ǁĂƐ Žī ƚŽ Ă ŐŽŽĚ ƐƚĂƌƚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƐƚĂǇĐĂƟŽŶ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂƵƟĨƵů ϱͲƐƚĂƌ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚǇ ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ RŽƚĂŶĂ͘ Ͳ DĂĚĞ ĨŽƌ DĞŵŽƌŝĞƐ Ͳ OtNTOtN ROTANA THE EPITOME OF COMFORT AƐ I ĚƌŽǀĞ ƵƉ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŚŽƚĞů͕ I ǁĂƐ ŐƌĞĞƚĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ǀĂůĞƚ ĂƩĞŶĚĂŶƚƐ ǁŚŽ ŚĂƉƉŝůǇ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ŵǇ ĐĂƌ ĂŶĚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŵǇ ƐƵŝƚĐĂƐĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ůŽďďǇ͘ tĂůŬŝŶŐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ the revolving doors of the property is like taking a ĚĞĞƉ ďƌĞĂƚŚ ŽĨ ĨƌĞƐŚ AůƉŝŶĞ Ăŝƌ ʹ ƚŚĞ ůŽďďǇ ŝƐ ŵŽĚĞƌŶ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĂƚƵƌĞƐ ƚŚĞ ĐƌĞĂƟǀĞ Ăƌƚ ŽĨ ĂŚƌĂŝŶͲďĂƐĞĚ ĂƌƟƐƚƐ that the hotel supports through their Culture Hub ŝŶŝƟĂƟǀĞ͘ hŶůŝŬĞ ŵŽƐƚ ŚŽƚĞůƐ͕ ĐŚĞĐŬͲŝŶ ǁĂƐ ƐŝŵƉůĞ and quick, a pleasant experience heightened by the ŬŝŶĚ ƌĞĐĞƉƟŽŶŝƐƚ ǁŚŽ ĐŚĞĞƌĨƵůůǇ ǁĂůŬĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ŚŽƚĞů͛Ɛ ŵĂŶǇ ĂŵĞŶŝƟĞƐ͕ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ experiences. Could I really be in store for so much enjoyment in just a day? tĂůŬŝŶŐ ŝŶƚŽ ŵǇ ĐŽƌŶĞƌ ƌŽŽŵ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ϭϴƚŚ ŇŽŽƌ͕ I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement; it was welcoming to say the least. The room was tastefully decorated and featured a dining table, sofas, a TV ĂŶĚ Ă ŬŝŶŐͲƐŝǌĞ ďĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽƌŶĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĂƚ ǁĂƐŶ͛ ƚ Ăůů͘ AƐ I ĚƌĞǁ ƚŚĞ ĐƵƌƚĂŝŶƐ ŽƉĞŶ͕ I ǁĂƐ ďůŽǁŶ ĂǁĂǇ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ǀŝĞǁ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ &ŝŶĂŶĐŝĂů HĂƌďŽƵƌ ĨƌŽŵ ŽŶĞ ǁŝŶĚŽǁ ĂŶĚ ĂŚƌĂŝŶ tŽƌůĚ TƌĂĚĞ CĞŶƚƌĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ʹ Ă ǀŝĞǁ ƚŚĂƚ I ƌĞǀŝƐŝƚĞĚ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ƟŵĞƐ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ the experience. The room also boasts a large bathtub, Ă ƌĂŝŶ ƐŚŽǁĞƌ͕ ŚŝƐͲĂŶĚͲŚĞƌ ƐŝŶŬƐ͕ ĂŶĚ TŚĞ tŚŝƚĞ CŽŵƉĂŶǇ ƚŽŝůĞƚƌŝĞƐ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ Ă ĐŽŵĨŽƌƚĂďůĞ ƐƚĂǇ ĨŽƌ Ăůů͘ LIFESTYLE | review Scan to watch the video

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Womanthismonth.com 78 July 2024 Teens and Body Image Struggling with one’s body image is something we can all relate to. It’s something that is ďĞƩĞƌ ĚĞĂůƚ ǁŝƚŚ ǁŚĞŶ ƚŚĞ ƌŝŐŚƚ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƐ ĂƌĞ ƉƵƚ ŝŶ ƉůĂĐĞ ĂƐ ƚĞĞŶƐ ǁŚĞŶ ǁĞ ĮƌƐƚ ŶŽƟĐĞ changes. Ouiam El Hassani tells you how to help your teen have a healthy body image. So, how can you spot red flags that your teen might be struggling? While some self-consciousness is a normal part of adolescence, be mindful of signs that might indicate a deeper issue. Is your teen constantly checking mirrors, weighing themselves daily, or fixated on negative self-talk about their body? Are they drastically changing their eating habits, skipping meals or exercising excessively in a way that seems unhealthy? Have they become less social, avoiding activities where their bodies are on display? Are they expressing feelings of isolation or depression? Picture day dread. Social media envy. Corridors and hallways anxieties. Welcome to the wild world of teen body image! As a parent, witnessing your teen navigate this often-challenging terrain can feel overwhelming. Fear not! This journey can be a collaborative effort and you can be a powerful ally in helping your teen build rock-solid confidence. Teens today face a relentless barrage of unrealistic beauty standards. Social media acts as a funhouse mirror, reflecting distorted images of “perfection” through filtered photos and curated online personas. The constant comparison to these unattainable ideals can chip away at their selfesteem, creating a sense of inadequacy and insecurity. The desire to fit in adds another layer of complexity. Peer pressure can lead teens to believe in a narrow definition of beauty and teasing or bullying based on appearance can be a major confidence crusher. Then comes puberty which throws a wrench into everything. Rapid physical changes can feel confusing and overwhelming, especially when combined with societal expectations about what a “normal” body should look like. Social media acts as a funhouse mirror, reflecting distorted images of “perfection” through filtered photos and curated online personas. LIFESTYLE| parenting

Womanthismonth.com July 2024 79 LIFESTYLE| parenting Help your teen see the beauty in diversity. Seek out media that showcases all body types and challenge unrealistic beauty standards by praising real, diverse representation. Expose them to movies, shows and magazines that feature characters of all shapes and sizes. Promote healthy eating habits and regular exercise for overall well-being, not just weight control. This will help them develop a positive relationship with food and movement. Focus on the importance of nourishing their bodies with healthy foods to fuel their activities and promote overall health, not just achieving a certain number on the scale. The most important tip is to create a safe space for open communication. Listen actively without judgment and reassure your teen of your unwavering support. Let them know they can express their feelings and concerns freely. If they’re struggling with their body image, don’t dismiss their worries. Validate their feelings and encourage them to talk openly about what’s bothering them. If they’re hesitant to talk to you, encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor specialising in adolescent development. A therapist can provide them with a safe space to explore their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Remember, this is a team effort. By fostering open communication, equipping your teen with self-acceptance, and cheering them on every step of the way, you can help them conquer the confidence course of body image and emerge with a healthy selfesteem that shines brighter than any filtered picture. They may still face challenges, but with your support, they’ll have the tools they need to navigate the complexities of body image and build a strong sense of self. This journey won’t be a sprint, but a marathon, and your presence as a supportive and understanding parent will make all the difference. The good news is, there are many ways you can empower your teen to conquer the confidence course of body image. Start by being a body positive champion. Teens are keen observers, picking up on how you talk about yourself. Avoid negative self-talk and focus on health and well-being, not just weight. Show them that you value your own body for its capabilities and what it allows you to do, not just how it looks. Shift the focus to celebrate your teen’s achievements and strengths that go beyond appearance. Highlight their talents, skills and personality traits. Let them know you’re proud of them for winning the debate team competition, not just for the way they look in their new outfit. Puberty is a natural process, not a reason for shame. Talk openly about physical changes and answer questions honestly without judgment. Normalise these changes by discussing them as a normal part of growing up. bystander TeachMeet2 Following the success of the first TeachMeet event at Nadeen School, TeachMeet2 was announced. This collaborative event featured speakers from Bahrain’s outstanding international schools and was hosted at Nadeen School’s new Dilmunia Campus.

Womanthismonth.com 80 July 2024 WOTY Awards The Woman This Month team proudly opened nominations for the ‘Woman of the Year wards ϮϬϮϰ’ in the month of :une. s nominations for the Ɖrestigious awards remain oƉen until :uly ϯϭ, we answer all your freƋuently asked Ƌuestions. On June 9, the Woman This Month team held a special afternoon tea event to announce the five broad categories encompassing 20 awards in addition to one ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. Nominations for the awards, the ceremony for which will take place on December 2, is now open and will come to a close on July 31. What is the ‘Woman of the Year Awards’? The Woman of the Year Awards recognise outstanding women in Bahrain across various fields. The awards aim to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in engineering, business, arts, health, education, and more. NOMINATE A STELLAR WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE Here is everything you need to know: Scan to nominate!

Womanthismonth.com July 2024 81 WOTY Awards What are the categories? 1. Engineering and Technical ● Women in Architecture, Construction & Real Estate ● Women in Aviation (Pilots, Administrators, Engineers & ATCs) ● Women in Industry (Manufacturing, Production, Oil & Gas, Alternative Energy) ● Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics 2. Business and Financial ● Women in Banking & Finance (including Fintech) ● Women in Business ● Women in Innovation (Trend-Setters, Entrepreneurs, Trail-Blazers, Start-ups) ● Women in National Service (Military, Fire Service, Police) 3. Artistic and Creative ● Women in Art & Design (Fine artists and designers) ● Women in Fashion (Models, Designers & Retail) ● Women in Jewellery (Boutique Owners & Designers) ● Women in Entertainment (Dancers, Singers, Musicians & DJs) 4. Health, Social, & Hospitality ● Women in Health (Doctors, Dentists, Nurses & Admins) ● Women in Hospitality (Hotel GMs, Chefs, HR, Housekeeping, etc.) ● Women in Education (Primary/Early Education; Secondary & University/ Vocational) ● Women in Philanthropy (Charity & Welfare) 5. Lifestyle and Media ● Women in Beauty (Cosmetic Models, Makeup Artists & Aestheticians) ● Women in Media (TV hosts, Writers, Broadcasters, Influencers, Bloggers) ● Women in Motoring ● Women in Sport What is the flow of events? ● We have started receiving nominations for each of the 20 award categories. ● Once the nomination deadline has passed, the Awards Review Committee (ARC) highlighted in the June edition of Woman This Month, along with Russell Bedford Assure Audit, will select the top finalists in each category. ● The public can then vote for the finalist they endorse. ● This will be followed by a secondary audit by Russell Bedford Assure Audit. ● The winners will be announced at the Gala event on December 2. Who is eligible to be nominated? ● Nominees must be current residents of Bahrain. ● Former residents who have made significant social welfare contributions in Bahrain are eligible for the philanthropy sub-category. ● Startups in the Women in Innovation sub-category must have a valid Bahraini Commercial Registration (CR) and have been operational for at least one year. ● Nominees must subscribe to Woman This Month’s free digital edition. How do I nominate? Nominations can be made online via the official website, womanoftheyearawards. com. You can nominate yourself or others, and multiple nominations across different categories are allowed, but each must be submitted separately. What is the nomination process? ● The nomination form is available on the website, and you must subscribe to the magazine to submit a nomination. You can nominate yourself or others and submit multiple nominations, but each must be submitted separately. ● The Awards Review Committee may change the award category of the nomination received based on their judgement. ● Nominations opened on June 9, 2024 and the deadline to submit nominations is July 31, 2024. ● The Awards Review Committee will be screening nominations and ranking the nominees to select the finalists in each award category. How will information on nominees be collected? ● The preliminary source of information will be the nomination form, followed by publicly available information. ● Nominees will receive an email and a phone call to explain their position on each of the nomination criteria. What are the nomination criteria? The following factors will be considered to judge the nominations received: ● Innovation and Impact: Degree of innovation and broader impact on industry, technology, society, or culture. ● Technical Skill and Expertise: Mastery of skills and expertise in their respective fields. ● Leadership and Collaboration: Leadership, collaboration, and mentoring efforts. ● Recognition and Awards: Professional recognition, awards, and contributions to industry or society. How will voting take place? Voting will be a combination of public votes and the Awards Review Committee (ARC) assessments. Each person will be limited to one vote to prevent multiple votes from the same source. How is this process fair and transparent? Russell Bedford Assure Audit keeps an eye on the outcomes and audits them to ensure transparency. The nomination and voting process will be closely monitored at every stage. What is the role of the Awards Review Committee (ARC)? The ARC is responsible for reviewing nominations, assessing candidates based on the established criteria, and ensuring the integrity and transparency of the selection process. The committee consists of industry experts and leaders in various fields. &or more details visit womanoftheyearawards.com or contact awardsinfoΛwomanthismonth.com. Scan to nominate!

Womanthismonth.com 82 July 2024 Valerie Fourrier’s journey into ballet began serendipitously at the tender age of five. Initially aspiring to be a cheerleader, she found her path redirected when her mother took her to a cheerleading school that only accepted children over 14. Disappointed but undeterred, their walk home led them past an opera house in France, where a poster advertised ballet classes for young children. “I had no idea what ballet was,” she recalls. “But it quickly became a significant part of my life, with my parents often using it as motivation for good behaviour.” Despite her passion for the art form, Valerie’s aspirations to become a professional ballerina were not fully realised due to her parents’ insistence on pursuing a more conventional career and encouragement to maintain it as a hobby instead. Reflecting on this, Valerie acknowledges: “I think they saved me from being in this very competitive world, as I am not someone who is very competitive. I also believe my physique might have presented limitations in a professional ballet career.” Valerie’s professional life was demanding, having served as a Navy officer and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This career required her to travel extensively and work closely with high-level officials, leaving little time for ballet. Upon retiring from her diplomatic career in her forties, she immersed herself in ballet once again, attending classes daily. Other dance forms she explored include contemporary, jazz and neoclassical styles, but classical ballet remained her core passion. “It was in my DNA,” she says. Her experience with dance in Bahrain has been limited, though she did participate in a music video shortly – a fun experience which she recalls fondly. Yet, living in Bahrain has also significantly impacted Valerie, particularly through cultural experiences such as participating in International Dance Day. She cherishes these events, which she describes as “dreamlike” and appreciates the opportunity to present her book on ballet and discuss dance as a universal language. “Bahrain epitomises tolerance and coexistence, values which I believe the world can learn from, and so I plan to write a book about the Kingdom to highlight these virtues,” she states. Valerie now intends to focus on promoting ballet and its values, such as discipline and perseverance. She also mentors young dancers and recounts the experience of mentoring a 13-year-old girl whose body type didn’t fit the Paris Opera Ballet’s standards. “I helped her find schools in the US and Canada, eventually leading to her acceptance at the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York. I wish I could do more of that – help people and bring a new light to this dance form,” she says. Looking forward, Valerie is eager to continue her projects, including publishing her third book and writing about Bahrain. She remains committed to her passion for ballet and encourages others to persist in their dreams. ‘Never give up on your dreams and always work hard. Even if things are hard, the reward will be greater,” she concludes. Valerie Fourrier’s story is a testament to the enduring power of passion and the importance of balancing one’s dreams with life’s practical demands. She tells Edwin D’Souza about her journey through ballet and diplomacy, and a life that’s been enriched by cultural experiences and unwavering dedication. PEOPLE | interview THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF BALLET WŝĐ CƌĞĚŝƚ͗ ^ĠďĂƐƟĞŶ ^ĐŚůĞƉƉ CŚƌŝƐƚŽƉŚĞ 'ĠƌĂů

Womanthismonth.com July 2024 83 This month we met with Kawthar Lanbari, the Director of Sales at Crowne Plaza Bahrain, an IHG Hotel. She is a woman who is inspired and inspires. Let’s take a walk in her shoes! Who do you consider to be your role model? The Guru of Corporate Leadership, Simon Sinek, and the ŵŽƐƚ ŝŵƉĂĐƞƵů ƐƉŝƌŝƚƵĂů ƚĞĂĐŚĞƌ I͛ ǀĞ ůŝƐƚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ͕ ^ĂĚŚŐƵƌƵ͕ ĂƌĞ ƚǁŽ ƚŚĂƚ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĞ ŵĞ͘ HŽǁĞǀĞƌ ƚƌƵĞ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĂƟŽŶ ĨŽƌ ŵĞ ĐŽŵĞƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƌĞĂůŝƚǇ͘ TŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ I ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌ ŵǇ ƌŽůĞ ŵŽĚĞů ǁŚŽ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ĐůŽƐĞƐƚ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ƚŽ ŵĞ ĂŶĚ ŵǇ ŵĞŶƚŽƌ ĨŽƌ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ǇĞĂƌƐ͕ ǁŚŽ ŝŶƚƌŽĚƵĐĞĚ ŵĞ ƚŽ ŵĂŶǇ ůŝĨĞͲĐŚĂŶŐŝŶŐ ĐŽŶĐĞƉƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ŵĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ƚŽŽůƐ ƚŽ ƐƵĐĐĞĞĚ͕ ĐŽŶƟŶƵŽƵƐůǇ ĂŶĚ ŐĞŶĞƌŽƵƐůǇ͘ TŚŝƐ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŝƐ Ă ƚƌƵĞ ǁĂƌƌŝŽƌ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƚƐ ƚŚĞ ĞǆĂŵƉůĞ ŽĨ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ͕ ůĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ͕ ĚŝƐĐŝƉůŝŶĞ͕ ĮƚŶĞƐƐ͕ ƐĞůĨͲĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĞŵŽƟŽŶĂů ŝŶƚĞůůŝŐĞŶĐĞ ƚŚĂƚ I ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ƌĞĂĐŚ ŽŶĞ ĚĂǇ͘ A long-term goal of yours is: I ĚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ŐŽĂůƐ͕ ƉĞƌƐŽŶĂů ŐŽĂůƐ ĂŶĚ ůĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ ŐŽĂůƐ͘ HŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ǁŚĂƚĞǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĨŽƌŵƵůĂ ŝƐ͕ I͛Ě ůŽǀĞ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŽƉƟŵŝƐƟĐ ŶŽ ŵĂƩĞƌ ǁŚĂƚ͘ TŽ ŵĞ͕ ůŝĨĞ ŝƐ Ăůů ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĂƚ ũŽƵƌŶĞǇ ĂŶĚ ŶŽƚ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ŐŽĂů͕ ĂŶĚ I ƌĞĂůůǇ ƚƌǇ ƚŽ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ƚŚĂƚ ŝŶĮŶŝƚĞ ŵŝŶĚͲƐĞƚ ŝŶ Ăůů ĂƐƉĞĐƚƐ ŽĨ ŵǇ ůŝĨĞ͘ What is your dream holiday destination? I ůŽǀĞ ƚƌŽƉŝĐĂů ƉůĂĐĞƐ ůŝŬĞ Ăůŝ ĂŶĚ HĂǁĂŝŝ ĂƐ I ůŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ŚĂƉƉǇ ǀŝďĞƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐƵŶ͕ ďĞĂĐŚ ĂŶĚ ƐĂŶĚƐ͘ HŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ I͛ ŵ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƐƉĞŶĚ Ă ĐŽƵƉůĞ ŽĨ ĚĂǇƐ ŝŶ Ă ĐĂƌĂǀĂŶ ĂŶĚ ĞŶũŽǇ ǁĂŬŝŶŐ ƵƉ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ďĞĂƵƚǇ ŽĨ EƵƌŽƉĞ͛Ɛ mountains. Do you have any pets? I ůŽǀĞ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ ƚŚŽƵŐŚ I ĚŽŶ͛ ƚ ŚĂǀĞ ĂŶǇ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƐŝŵƉůĞ ƌĞĂƐŽŶ ŽĨ ŶŽƚ ǁĂŶƟŶŐ ƚŽ ĐŽŵŵŝƚ ƚŽ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ĚĂŝůǇ ĐĂƌĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞŵ͕ ĂŶĚ ŝƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ďĞ ƐŽ ƐĞůĮƐŚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ŽŶĞ ũƵƐƚ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ I͛Ě ĨĞĞů ůŽŶĞůǇ ƐŽŵĞƟŵĞƐ͘ IĨ I ĐŽƵůĚ͕ I͛Ě ůŽǀĞ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ƟŶǇ ƉĞƚƐ ůŝŬĞ ĐĂƚƐ Žƌ Ă ƚĞĂĐƵƉ ĚŽŐ͘ Do you have any hidden talents? I ůŽǀĞ Ăůů ŬŝŶĚƐ ŽĨ Ăƌƚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĂƌĞ Ăůů ĨŽƌŵƐ ŽĨ ƐĞůĨͲĞǆƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘ I ĚŽ ĂďƐƚƌĂĐƚ ƉĂŝŶƟŶŐ͕ ĨƌŽŵ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ƟŵĞ͕ I ďĂŬĞ ĂŶĚ I ůŽǀĞ ƐƚǇůŝŶŐ ŽƵƞŝƚƐ͊ Friday brunch or latenight dinners? I͛ ŵ ŶŽƚ Ă ƉĞƌƐŽŶ ŽĨ ƌŽƵƟŶĞ͕ ŚĞŶĐĞ ǇŽƵ ĐĂŶ ƌĞĂůůǇ ĮŶĚ ŵĞ ǁŝƚŚ ďŽƚŚ ĐůƵďƐ͕ Ă ŵŽƌŶŝŶŐ ďŝƌĚ ĂŶĚ Ă ŶŝŐŚƚ Žǁů͘  What’s the most uplifting quote you have ever come across? I͛Ě ƌĂƚŚĞƌ ƐĂǇ Ă ƉŚŝůŽƐŽƉŚǇ͟ ƚŚĂƚ ĂůǁĂǇƐ ŬĞĞƉƐ ŵĞ ŵŽƟǀĂƚĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƵƉůŝŌƐ ŵǇ ƐƉŝƌŝƚ͗ LŝĨĞ ŝƐ ϵϵ ƉĞƌĐĞŶƚ ŽƵƌ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ͘ I ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƚŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƐŽ ƚƌƵĞ͊ TŚĞ ǁĂǇ ǁĞ ĚĞĂů ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚŝŶŐƐ͕ ŚŽǁ ǁĞ ĐŚŽŽƐĞ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ŽƵƌ ƌĞĂůŝƚǇ͕ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌƐƉĞĐƟǀĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ǁĞ ĂĚŽƉƚ͕ ŽƵƌ ǁĂǇ ŽĨ ƚŚŝŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƌ ŚĂďŝƚƐ ĂƌĞ Ăůů ϭϬϬ ƉĞƌĐĞŶƚ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ĂŶĚ ŽŶůǇ ϭ ƉĞƌĐĞŶƚ ŝƐ ǁŚĂƚ ůŝĨĞ ďƌŝŶŐƐ ƚŽ ƵƐ͘ Scan to watch the full interview In Her Shoes last word

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