International Women’s Day (IWD) is an annual event to celebrate women’s achievements and spread the message of female empowerment and gender equality across the world.
As the day grows near, Bahrain Confidential celebrates the achievements of women in Bahrain and around the world by putting them on the spotlight and knowing how they #ChoosetoChallenge every day.
Today’s spotlight is on Sawsan Baluch, Owner of My Café, Mahonia, and Iris Bahrain.
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #ChoosetoChallenge mean for you in your work life?
The 2021 International Woman’s Day slogan #ChoosetoChallenge for me, means to keep challenging myself no matter what obstacle comes my way. Always looking for new ways to pivot situations that have presented themselves, especially in this situation.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
I never felt a barrier as a woman, only some situations as a business person; situations that any entrepreneur might face or anyone in my field might face. I also feel lucky to be a Bahraini, to be in Bahrain, we don’t have such things as sexism. There are many women in Bahrain that are in strong positions and are leaders in their field.
What’s one tip that greatly impacted you and your career trajectory?
A tip that I live by or a rule that I live by, is to always keep yourself motivated. Even when you lose that push that kept you moving, keep looking for ways that will spark that drive in you to always keep going and always keep giving your best. I’m a self-motivated person, I motivate myself but that doesn’t mean that everyone should only look to their self for motivation, we all need a hand sometimes.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
Organize your thoughts, put your goals in front of you, seek help if you need, find people in the field you want to work in, ask all the questions you need to ask, challenge yourself and most importantly just go ahead and do it!
What do you enjoy doing the most when you’re off work?
I love cooking, reading, I enjoy being in my own space when I have the time to switch off and be with my family.