She HEALS...
Dr Charmaine D’souza roles you play
I work as the Head of the Medical Section of Al Khor Community Medical Centre (Ras Gas Medical). An Obstaetrician and Gynaecologist by training, my duties include administration of the Medical Centre as well as seeing patients.
Loving what you do
She SURVIVES...
I love working in the field of women’s health. I believe that a country is only as developed as its women. When women are empowered, educated and healthy, children are better raised, and society develops as a whole.
Inspired by
My grandmother although illiterate, had the courage and determination to challenge the male dominated society in her days. She ensured that all her children and grandchildren understood the value of hard work, sacrifice and education. Today, when I face hurdles that seem insurmountable, I think of how she would have faced them half a century ago.
To be a woman in this century
Today women have freedom of choice that would seem impossible just a few decades ago. This sometimes results in having to make heartbreaking choices when it comes to family and children. Women of this century often have some daunting challenges, whether at work where they have “targets” and “objectives” to achieve, or at home, where they are responsible for the education of their children, the nutrition of their families, as well as traditional societal pressures. In some ways I think the women of today, by going out and earning, have unwittingly made life for the men very easy.
Luiza Pancoti roles you play
I fought breast cancer. I’m Brazilian but living in Qatar for 20 years. My husband is Qatari and I have three lovely boys. and they speak three languages. Arabic, English and Portuguese. I have my own business of supplying uniforms for schools and companies (VIK-Uniforms). And I like very much my work. I love to live in Qatar because I made wonderful friends here. Thank God.
What it means to be a survivor?
For me to be a survivor is the biggest gift from God. He has given me one more opportunity to live. I have a chance to enjoy the time with my family, friends and my work. Today I feel that I’m a better person. My motivation was my sons. I need to
live more to support them. They are very young and they still need me.
Inspired by
I could name a celebrity. Someone everybody knows, and there are many people who deserve to be remembered. But I prefer to say the women who inspired me are all my friends and sisters who stood by my side. They supported me through my difficult times and helped me forget all the pain I had been through.
To be a woman in this century
We have to be very brave. We take care of the family and work. We have proved that we are able to occupy any job role that men traditionally did. The hard part of being a woman is the need to look beautiful and young all the time.
2011 March
25