UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A Day for Change

On International Day of the Girl, a young woman inspires her sister to be excited about science and technology.

The path to empowerment starts with small steps — conversations, opportunities, and the courage to believe in oneself.

On the morning of October 11, I woke up to the sound of my younger sister, Maya, flipping through her textbooks. She was excited — it was the International Day of the Girl, and her school had planned various activities to celebrate.

I remember feeling unsure about my place in the world when I was her age. I often struggled with self-doubt, particularly about pursuing my interests in science and technology. I wanted to support Maya and encourage her to embrace her passions without hesitation.

At breakfast, I shared stories of girls who had inspired me, like Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace. I could see Maya’s eyes light up as I spoke. “Do you think I could be like them?” she asked, her voice full of hope.

“Absolutely,” I replied. “You can be anything you want.”

Later that day, I decided to attend the events at her school. The gym was decorated with colorful posters and artwork created by the students. There were speeches from teachers, videos showcasing girls from around the world, and a panel discussion featuring successful women from our community.

One speaker stood out to me — an engineer named Sara, who shared her journey in a male-dominated field. She talked about the challenges she faced and the importance of persistence and community support. As she spoke, I noticed Maya leaning forward, captivated by Sara’s words.

After the event, I approached Sara and introduced myself. I shared how inspired I was by her story and how it resonated with Maya. Sara smiled and said, “It’s crucial for girls to see role models in fields they’re interested in. Encourage her to ask questions and explore her interests.”

With newfound determination, I took Maya to a local science workshop that weekend. It was a small, hands-on program where girls could experiment with coding and robotics. As we entered the room, I noticed a diverse group of girls, all excited to learn.

Maya quickly found her place, diving into a coding project with a group of peers. Watching her collaborate and share ideas filled me with pride. It was a moment I wished I had experienced at her age — an environment where girls encouraged each other to take risks and learn.

By the end of the workshop, Maya was buzzing with ideas. “Can we do this again next week?” she asked, her face glowing with excitement.

“Of course!” I replied, realizing that moments like these were essential for her growth.

The International Day of the Girl had sparked something in both of us. It wasn’t just about celebrating girls; it was about fostering an environment where they could thrive and support each other. I promised myself I would continue encouraging Maya and create more opportunities for her to explore her interests.

As we left the workshop, I felt hopeful. The path to empowerment starts with small steps — conversations, opportunities, and the courage to believe in oneself. I was determined to be a part of that journey for Maya and other girls like her.

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