Women power: Women, known or unknown, have a special presence and influence. Every week, meet a different woman who symbolises, in very special ways, what being a successful woman means
Dr Houriya Kazim. © Gulf News |
"My mother often reminds me that I used to operate on my dolls and pretend to take out the appendix. Since the beginning I knew this was what I wanted to be, probably because there are 39 doctors in our family," she states. "The specialisation dawned on me later as I was working in a cancer hospital in London," she says.
Having working parents, Houriya was exposed to the concept of strong career-oriented women quite early in age. She found it a natural transition to move from her Canadian boarding school to study medicine in London. Only later did people make her remember that she was a foreigner.
She remembers an interview, "where this English surgeon said to me 'don't you think it's time you went home, got married and had babies'. I was so appalled". This instigated Houriya to be the best at what she did. She refers to her earlier medicine days as self-inflicted torture, which she would never recommend to her daughter.
"I don't know how I survived working as an intern in hospitals, attending classes, no social life or friends," she shudders. Houriya faced the challenge because of her stubbornness to achieve her goal. However, never one to restrict her outlook or focus, she also worked with the Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and even considered going to help out in Afghanistan during the war.
In 1988, Houriya came back to the UAE to work for Rashid Hospital for two years. The experience here made her realise that there was a need for female surgeons since a lot of the women did not wish to be examined by a male doctor.
She was a die-hard professional, selfish with her time and ruthless to her American fiancée (whom she met here at the Sharjah cricket stadium). Nine years later, when she finished her postgraduation from London and Texas, they both heaved a sigh of relief. Houriya married at the age of 38.
"I had my first baby at 40, and am having my second at 42. Most people think I am geriatric and should be looking forward to grandchildren," she laughs.
But Houriya has never been typical or average. Her progressive thinking reflects the changing mindset of the UAE national woman. She is forward in her medical approach and tries to get people to openly talk about cancer.
With her breast cancer out-reach programme, Houriya has set herself a task to educate every woman about its potential dangers and risks. Besides the breast scanning booth at BurJuman Centre, she has visited UAE national women in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and other such remote areas.
She is also currently putting together a computer graphics video to explain to women how to conduct self-examination. Houriya is dedicated, diligent and determined to help those around her. Whether it's by sharing information in her lectures, and seminars or by discussing the standing of professional women here and in the West.
"Even when I started, female surgeons accounted for only 3 per cent in the UK, and a mere 10 per cent in the U.S. Women in this country have managed to enter different areas, but real success will come when they are able to break the glass ceilings and rise higher in their respective fields," visions Houriya.
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