Maryam Eid Al Mheiri, the CEO of Media Zone Authority Abu Dhabi and twofour54, was recognized at the Arab Woman Awards for her work in helping to build a thriving media industry in the UAE.
Ms Al Mheiri received the Media Award at a ceremony held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi for both her work in the sector and her prominence as a role model for young women.
The Arab Woman Awards were launched in 2009 with the aim of raising awareness of the significant achievements of Arab women across the GCC. So far, more than 300 women have been recognized for their work in fields such as media, arts, fashion and business.
The awards are held in four Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the recipients are chosen by a panel of judges drawn from a variety of fields. The criteria for each award includes that nominees have achieved something outstanding in their field over the past 12 months, as well as having contributed positively to society and act as an inspiration to young women who might follow in their footsteps.
One of the goals of twofour54 is to develop local talent, which is key to building a sustainable media sector. It has launched initiatives focused on raising awareness of career opportunities as well as programs to help young people on their journey to becoming storytellers of the future by developing their skills and experience. This include creative lab, which has 13,000 members, and the annual twofour54 Summer Camp, which allows young people to work alongside media professionals as well as create their own projects.
“I am honored to have received the Media Award at the Arab Woman Awards. This award is as much a reflection of the inspiration I have received from the wise leadership of our country and the support of my family and colleagues as it is of my own professional achievements,” said Ms Al Mheiri.
“It is an intrinsic part of our society to dream and to plan for the future, something that has been instilled in all of us since we were children. It is why we have achieved so much as a nation in such a relatively short period of time. So, I urge young people across the Arab world to also follow their dreams, to share their stories, and ensure their voices are heard. I urge them to look for opportunity around every corner so they can realise their full potential,” she added.
