PublisHer empowers book women by giving direct career advice and services

PublisHer is a global platform dedicated to advancing women in the publishing industry, with a mission to provide a space for women to connect, learn, and support each other in the publishing industry. The platform offers mentorship programs, networking events, and resources to empower women to thrive in their careers. They recently organised a two-day program at Sharjah Booksellers Conference, realized in collaboration with Sharjah Book Authority, which included expert speakers on the main stage, and the first ever PublisHer Lounge, in partnership with Visa, a women-only space offered diverse career-building assistance.

PublisHer Founder Bodour Al Qasimi said,“We always seek to help women build their publishing careers, but the first PublisHer Lounge, in partnership with Visa, is a different approach for us. Women tell us consistently they value hands-on tips and guidance, and what we’re doing at the Sharjah Booksellers Conference, much of it thanks to generous volunteers, is our response. We’re offering immediate, practical value to bookwomen, to complement the network building that is PublisHer’s abiding strength.”

The sessions…

The program opened with an intimate fireside between Dr Raja Al Gurg, chair of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group and writer of ‘The Power of Authenticity’, and Iman Bin Chaibah, CEO of Sail Publishing. Speaking on her journey and the role of women in the UAE, Dr Al Gurg said, “What I have learnt through the years is by harnessing the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual energy that resides within each of us, we can develop a leadership style based on personal authenticity, and this can lead to success in any industry you choose. Another subject that I resonate with is the role of women in the world, especially in business, and we are lucky to live in a country that empowers women and has examples of strong female leaders such as Sheikha Bodour, and the work she does both locally, and on the global stage.”

Participants then headed to the PublisHer Lounge for targeted sessions covering everything from building impactful LinkedIn profiles, with Diala Jarrar, Director of the UAE Government Sector, LinkedIn; a ‘What Not to Wear’ styling masterclass with Heidi Shara Armstrong, Founder and CEO of Wear Thatand Celia-Jane Ukwenya, Personal Stylist; mentorship sessions with Nadia Wassaf, Co-founder of Diwan Bookstores, Sarah Arbuthnot, CCO and Operations Director, Supadu, or Sandra Tamele, Founder of EditoraTrinta Zero Nove.

In the final session,Eleni Papailia, of American University of Sharjah’s Career Design Lab, gave a seminar on personal brand building and networking strategies. Over the two days, professional photographer Danka Holzerova was onsite taking quality headshots for CVs, LinkedIn, and other professional touchpoints.

On day two, Kritee Sharrma, partnerships manager for the SheTrades initiative at the International Trade Centre, in Geneva, took to the Main Stage to speak about Women Breaking Barriers in Publishing, focusing on overcoming gender confidence issues and building influence.