Nestlé KLIM launches search for Arab world’s most inspirational women

·         ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program aims to honor outstanding women in the Arab world

·         All Arab women over 18 years of age and residing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon can participate in the program

·         Specially constituted Jury comprising esteemed regional personalities to review nominations

·         Three winners to receive a cash prize of USD 20,000 each

Nestlé Middle East today announced the launch of the ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program, a region-wide initiative aimed at identifying and recognizing outstanding women in the Arab world. The announcement was made at a press conference held today at the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach in Dubai.

Open to all Arab women over 18 years of age and residing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Lebanon, the ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program is the most ambitious initiative of its kind undertaken by Nestlé in the Middle East region – both in terms of scale and prize fund.

Jury members on stage from left to right Zeina Maktabi,
Rasha Al Danhani,Heba Shaar,Nisreen Shocair,Sarah Shuhail.

Nestlé has brought together a stellar panel of judges to review nominations for the program. Members of the Jury include highly esteemed personalities from around the Middle East drawn from different walks of life, including Sarah Shuhail, Executive Director of Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children; Nisreen Shocair, President of Virgin Megastore, MENA Region; Heba Al Shaar, Consultant for Strategy Marketing and Communication; Rasha Al Danhani, Chairman and Owner of PappaRoti Cafés; and Zeinab Maktabi, Corporate Nutritionist at Nestlé Middle East.

“‘KLIM Women of Strength’ is a first of its kind program in the Middle East that aims to recognize strong and inspirational women in our society and bring their unique stories to light. With its pan-Arab focus and comprehensive format, the program is designed to ensure maximum participation from women in the Arab region, reflecting broad geographic, social and professional representation,” said Rainer Mueller, Communications Director at Nestlé Middle East. “The ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program resonates with Nestlé’s philosophy of ‘Good Food, Good Life’ and reflects our ongoing commitment to the communities that we serve.”

Nestle representatives and KLIM Women of Strength representatives

Nestlé Middle East Corporate Nutritionist, Zeinab Maktabi commented: “Nestlé KLIM stands for strong and ambitious women and the ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program is an expression of our commitment to recognize outstanding women who positively impact the lives of the people around them through their ideas, courage and determination. By spotlighting these remarkable women and their achievements and contributions to society, the program seeks to position them as role models who will help inspire a new generation of leaders, innovators and change agents and instill the courage of conviction in tomorrow’s women.”

Nominations for the program can be submitted on the Nestlé KLIM Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/NestleKlimArabia) – the official registration and voting page. Applicants can nominate themselves or someone who they think is truly deserving of the title ‘KLIM Women of Strength’, with the permission of the nominee.

The specially constituted Jury will review the submissions and shortlist the top five most inspiring stories and open them for voting on Facebook to decide the winners. The three women with the highest number of votes will be declared the winners and crowned ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ at a gala ceremony in Dubai in April 2013.  Each winner will receive a cash prize of USD 20,000 to help them take another step closer to their respective cause.

Nominations for ‘KLIM Women of Strength’ program can be made under one of six categories in either English or Arabic:

·         Planet Protector (For exceptional efforts in environmental work)

·         Child Empowerment (For efforts in uplifting children through education, care and social support)

·         Community Champion (For tireless work for the welfare of the community)

·         Active Innovator (For efforts in the fields of science, technology, entrepreneurship, etc.)

·         Providing Hope (For dynamic activities in the social and humanitarian sphere)

·         Other (To be used if the nominee’s cause does not fit into any of the categories above)

Nominations are open from 17^th January until 16^th February 2013.  Voting begins on 20^th March and continues until 13^th April 2013.  For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/NestleKlimArabia.