Najla Al-Awadhi: A woman's voice that is strong and clear

Apart from being a remarkable FNC journalist in the UAE, Najla al-Awadhi is a member of the UAE Parliament, Deputy CEO of Dubai Media Inc (DMI), and general manager of Dubai One TV. FW: Magazine had the pleasure of speaking to her, and fleshing out the success story of this young Arab woman.

How did you get started, and what was the motivation and support given to you as an Arab woman?

I started my career as a journalist seven years ago. I always wanted to work in public service, and to especially promote human rights, with a focus on advancing the rights of women. It was very clear to me that Muslim and Arab women faced and still do face challenges that do not allow them to realize their true potential in life. The only way we could change this is through addressing the mindsets in our society, and by changing anachronistic perceptions about gender roles. My first choice was to pursue law, but I didn't pursue law, because I discovered that I could be more effective in my society through media. It is a power platform that can contribute to social change, if used responsibly and intelligently. Media can shape mindsets, and advance our society and the rights of women. My faith, and my passion and determination to contribute to the principles I believe in always have motivated me, and continue to drive me.

Who is your role model in the UAE or the Arab world?

That's an interesting question; I don't have one role model. I love history, and there are many people I have read about, whose lives I have been inspired by and who I have learned from. Sayidatina Khadija, the wife of the prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, is someone who has inspired me. My family inspires me. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed, is also a person who I have learned so much from, and continue to learn from.

How can you describe your experience as one of the first women, and the youngest person, to serve in the UAE's Federal National Council (FNC)?

It is a true privilege to be able to serve my country. I have learned so much, and continue to learn. I don't think of the fact that I am a woman or the youngest member in the parliament, I think more about how I can be effective in serving my country through my role in parliament. It's a challenge, but I love challenges.

Before serving at the FNC, you were deputy CEO of Dubai Media, Inc. and general manager of Dubai One. Can you expand on this point?

Yes, as I mentioned I started my career as a journalist with Dubai TV, then Dubai Media Inc. was established in 2003, and I was asked to work with the team that would modernize and re-launch all the government channels of Dubai (Dubai TV, Dubai One, Dubai Sports, and Sama Dubai). I began working with this team, I took on various projects and helped with everything that was given to me, I loved it because it was such a great learning experience, and I love to learn. I worked hard, and eventually I was asked to head the re-launch of the English channel which is today Dubai one, then I was asked to head the channel and eventually I was asked to be the deputy CEO of Dubai Media Inc. It has been such an interesting journey. I learn something new everyday. I love my team very much, they are the secret to the success of the projects I work on, and we are just beginning we have big dreams and a lot we want to achieve, as a channel (Dubai One) and as a media group (Dubai Media Inc).

Your current position as regional board of directors of the Young Arab Leaders (YAL), whose trustees are the kings of Bahrain and Jordan and Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, has assigned you great responsibilities. How can you manage a post where men have the upper hand?

I believe that it’s not about gender, it’s about ability. When the men see that a woman is capable, they automatically have no choice but to allow that women to deliver on the mandate given to the board. Again, it’s all about working hard, and working as a team, and being competent enough to deliver.

Among all the posts mentioned above, where do you find yourself most?

I love public service. The work I do in parliament, and also in media, is geared to serving my society, so both are very much who I am.

With the introduction of globalization, what sort of Arab media do you expect or at least recommend?

The sort of Arab media I intend to help build, God willing, is a media that learns from the best practices of Western media, and a media that is created primarily by Arab talent, and that serves the needs of our region.

Why do you think Dubai’s Media City is unrivalled in the Arab world?

I think the vision of the leadership of Dubai, the strong infrastructure, the ease of doing business in Dubai, and the tolerant society has created a great formula to position it as a media hub.