Prime Highlights:
- Emirati women over 60 are redefining retirement by pursuing new careers, personal growth, and community involvement.
- Many are turning their passions into meaningful contributions, from volunteering and cultural work to entrepreneurship.
Key Facts:
- Habiba Bin Thalith joined the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) as a cultural advisor at the age of 62.
- Maryam Mohammed, also known as Um Humaid, turned her love of cooking into a thriving business with support from her family.
Key Background:
To most, retirement at the age of 60 represents the end of a professional career. However, in the UAE, there is a rising trend among many women that it may be the beginning of something new. They are not slowing down but learning something new, pursuing their interests, and assisting their communities.
Born in 1954 in Dubai, Habiba Bin Thalith saw retirement as a new start. She was busy volunteering and doing things she had not known previously, mainly in the area of education and culture.
Habiba helped employees, encouraged parents to be involved in their children’s education, and even volunteered internationally, including at a refugee camp in Jordan. She reports that her family and co-workers assisted her in breaking stereotypes about women who work beyond retirement and that, even with working, she felt confident and purposeful.
Um Humaid, 62, a widow with 11 children and 32 grandchildren, turned her love of cooking into a small business. She started with cultural festivals and then started her own food truck that served Emirati food. She dreams of opening a restaurant with the help of her children to serve Emirati food. Maryam says, “Age should never stop you. You can follow your passion and inspire others.”
At 57, Shaikha AlDhaheri started helping children as the “Mother of the Neighborhood” at a nursery. A grandmother of six, she uses her caring nature and Islamic values to teach children and support new mothers. She thinks that so long as you are healthy, you can be active and make a contribution to your community.
The tendency toward these stories is increasing: Emirati women are reinventing retirement. They are spending this time to learn, start businesses, volunteer, and make a positive contribution. Their adventures confirm that age does not matter when you have a cause and a will.
