Dubai: Trained as a nurse and working as a paramedic, 40-year-old widowed grandmother Jameela Al Za'abi is used to breaking social barriers that surround women and jobs in the UAE.
For years, the head of technical operations at Dubai Unified Ambulance Services was the only female paramedic. Now she has been recognised by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for her work during last week's Al Quoz warehouse fire, which killed at least three people.
During her 17-hour stint there, the mother of five and other paramedics treated 68 people, mostly rescuers who suffered from smoke inhalation at the site.
She told Gulf News she never planned or saw herself as a pioneer for UAE womanhood and emergency care. Her intent to become a nurse was not to break barriers, but to satisfy her family's wishes. "When I was young, my father always wanted [someone] to be a nurse, but my sisters refused. I was the youngest, and I thought: why not? I can do the job and at the same time, I will make my family happy," she said.
At that time, her father's request was unusual as Emirati women were discouraged from taking up nursing, which required them to work odd hours and care for unfamiliar men.
However, marriage at 14 and motherhood at 15 delayed her plans to become a nurse.
Then her husband, a helicopter pilot for the army, died in a crash, leaving her a widow with young children and the sole breadwinner at 18. She had also just finished nursing training in the army.
"It was very difficult to be a mother and father for my children at that time, but my family gave me support. They would not let me use my children as an excuse to not pursue my dreams," she said. "They gave me the feeling I was not alone, and they also gave me courage," she added.
Character
In 1995 she broke another social boundary by becoming the first female paramedic with Dubai Police. However, support from all quarters was strong for her.
Officers, when told she preferred to be a paramedic instead of the relatively easy job as a nurse at the Police Clinic, were not surprised. Instead, they said her character fit the demands of the job.
She asked for and received more specialised training as a paramedic in Saudi Arabia, Scotland and Australia. But returning for good in 2001, she was still the only female paramedic in the services.
She would remain the only one until 2004. Jameela said social barriers against female paramedics, especially Emirati ones, have slowly dissolved.
Eight Emirati female paramedics are now working in the field and 10 more are joining the department within the year. In addition, there are 95 non-Emirati female paramedics in the department.
Alia Al Mas, one of the new Emirati paramedics at the Dubai Unified Ambulance Services, told Gulf News Jameela's trailblazing ways have made it easier for her and others.
"Before, when I applied to become a paramedic, I had problems from my family and society. But my mom encouraged me," she said.
"And now, if any girl tells her family she wants to be a paramedic, she can just point to Jameela and say, Shaikh Mohammad likes it [when women become paramedics]," she said.
Jameela smiled and said, "Lots of girls want to choose this job, but someone always needs to take the first step. And I took the first step."
Have you heard of a similar act of bravery? Are people today no longer concerned with helping strangers? Why?
Your comments
Good going. Keep it up and be a beacon light for others.
Tanveer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 01, 2008, 07:46
Well I can tell that this journey was not easy for her and she was brave. Keep it up your doing a great job.
Yousuf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 01, 2008, 01:56
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