Mona Tavassoli

“I am not denying the restrictions which exist in some of the countries in this region. But these women are proof that where there is a will, there is a way. Women’s empowerment to me is not only about gender equality and glass ceilings – it’s about discovering the power that women have inside them.”

Mona Tavassoli thinks stereotypes need to be challenged, especially when it comes to Arab women. An Iranian living in the United Arab Emirates, she’s the founder of Mompreneurs Middle East, a company that helps women balance their roles as moms and entrepreneurs. Mona created the business-to-business platform to share information, offer mentoring, and promote the concept of ‚Äòmompreneurs’ who break the traditional mold.

The underlying belief of her company, says Mona, is that women are stronger as a collective. She encourages women to pursue their ideas and even offers entrepreneurship training courses to new members. Mona believes that women’s empowerment leads to more peaceful societies; she’s determined to expand her platform to reach women throughout the Middle East.