UAE Creativity for a Cause winners shortlisted

The Creativity for a Cause competition was launched on International Women’s Day on March 8, with a Dh100,000 prize for the winner.

Yasmin El-Rouby, a Canadian eye doctor, and Ahlaam Ali, a British nutritionist, have been shortlisted as potential winners of the Creativity for a Cause competition. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

ABU DHABI // A competition in which women were asked for ideas to improve society is nearing its end.

Creativity for a Cause was launched on International Women’s Day on March 8, with a Dh100,000 prize for the winner.

Of the 600 entrants, three have been shortlisted for the finals, with the winner being announced on Wednesday.

The winner will receive the money to make their aspirations for society a reality.

One of the finalists, Muna Zayed, from Jordan, a mother of four, said she wanted to help women work from home by teaching them how to make gift baskets of chocolates for different occasions.

“My inspiration comes from the problems in the Middle East. My sister lost her husband in her 20s and so did my sister-in-law,” she said.

“But my sister she has a degree and can work, while my sister in law did not, and she had small kids. I want to help women in such circumstances.”

Ms Zayed wants to open a centre to teach how to make and wrap gift baskets.

“The main target for this project is to get money to help these families and let them work,” she said.

Yasmin El-Rouby, 36, is an eye doctor from Canada who lives in Dubai. She wants to redistribute old reading glasses and sunglasses to those who cannot afford them.

This would involve setting up collection boxes at opticians. She would also create awareness about the importance of early screening for eye diseases.

“A lot of people don’t have insurance that covers eye care,” said Ms El-Rouby.

The third contestant is Ahlaam Ali, a Briton who has lived in Dubai for 11 years. She wants to start a free health and well-being call centre. People will be able to call and get health related advice for free.

“The purpose is to educate people and make them aware. We want people to lead of UAE a more energetic life,” she said.

The competition is run by Philadelphia Cream Cheese.