Etihad’s ‘abaya initiative’ for Syrian refugee women

By DG Staff

ABU DHABI 29 August 2019: Emirati abayas, bridal outfits and amenity kits were distributed to Syrian refugee women in the Mrajeeb Al Fhood Camp in Jordan, as part of celebrations for Emirati Women’s Day.

The gifts were delivered by a delegation of female Emirati employees from Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, who traveled to the camp to spend time with the women and their children. It was a combined effort by Etihad Airways and Emirates Red Crescent, in collaboration with the Fund for Refugee Women.

Ibrahim Nassir, Chief of Human Resources and Organisational Development, Etihad Aviation Group said: “This was an event developed to celebrate and highlight in a small way the values of tolerance, overcoming challenges and supporting women’s empowerment across the region and the world.”

The event included an open panel discussion between the Etihad delegation and women from the camp, who discussed the challenges they have faced, including difficulties in their family lives, health, education and work. A common sense of persistence, dedication, patience, positivity and mutual support came through as key values of the group. The women spoke of their own experiences, how they pulled together in times of need, and how they used their sense of community to help each other’s families.