International Women's Day

As a Muslim woman in construction, I know what it means to walk into a space where people don’t expect to see you—and claim it anyway. To face stereotypes, doubt, and resistance—but refuse to shrink. Every day, I get the chance to create change, to prove that skill and leadership have no gender, no religion, no limits.

I still remember my first day on site. I felt completely out of place. I love fashion, and suddenly, I was in steel caps and high-vis, surrounded by an industry that felt nothing like me. I could barely put an email together. I was told I was too emotional, that I needed to separate construction from feelings.

But I refused.

Instead, I let my emotions drive me. I took my natural empathy as a mother and blended it with my ability to lead. I didn’t shut off who I was—I used it to change the game. Because construction isn’t just about concrete and steel; it’s about people, relationships, leadership, and building something that lasts.

I’m a mother of five. I’ve been blessed with three strong sisters and a mother who carries the weight of the world but always has a smile on her face. Strength runs in my blood. And every day, I bring that strength to this industry—not just for me, but for every woman who’s ever been told she doesn’t belong.

I am surrounded by women who do the same—women who lead, innovate, and push boundaries in an industry that wasn’t built with us in mind. But here we are. Not just surviving, but thriving. Because every barrier we break isn’t just for us—it’s for the next generation who will walk in with their heads held high, knowing they belong.

Not all women around the world have the privilege of fighting these battles. Some are still waiting for the chance. That’s why we keep showing up. Because every structure we build, every rule we rewrite, every space we claim—it all matters.

Happy International Women’s Day.