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by Shana Jones
" Don ' t think because we are covered , we are not empowered .” These are the telling words of Dr . Rafia Ghubash in a 2013
CNN interview 1 . The psychologist and former university administrator is highly passionate about celebrating women in Emirati society and she created a space to showcase their lives and achievements . She was also driven by a desire to engage with young people and to strengthen their pride in their culture and heritage . So , on December 6 , 2012 , the Women ’ s Museum at
Bait Al Banat opened its doors to the world .
When Dr . Ghubash was considering possible locations for Bait Al Banat , an old house from her childhood neighbourhood of Gold Souk ( Deira , Dubai ) was pitched as an option . The house had been called “ Bait Al Banat ” ( The Girls ’ House ) because 3 unmarried women had lived in it , and , struck by the name , Dr . Ghubash decided to retain it . One can easily draw a connection between the unconventional living arrangement of these women at the time and the progressive values of the woman who would later repurpose their home .
The restored facility presents the lives of ordinary and prominent Emirati women through photos , personal items and audio displays . It recounts their activities and contributions to the arts , academia , business , culture , politics and society in general in the context of the social and philosophical ideologies that shaped their position in society .
At the museum entrance , visitors are greeted by “ The Memory of the Place ”, a collage of photos , public documents , and poems reflecting the lives of early local citizens . Further inside , “ The Heart of the Place ” tells the story of Ousha Bint Hussein , an ordinary woman who balanced a strong personal identity with an equally solid commitment to traditional values .
More stories are brought to life in two main exhibits and one specially dedicated room . Gallery 1 features temporary displays of emerging and established artists ’ work , retrospectives of more seasoned creators , and intergenerational group shows . Visitors to Gallery 2 can view collaborations with galleries , museums , art organizations , and other artists from around the world . The Diwan Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwidi Room immortalizes the creative journey of this famed Emirati poet through images and audio displays .
In addition to these 2 major display areas , the Fatima Bint Al Zeina Children ’ s Corner , named after a former teacher of Dr . Ghubash ’ s , welcomes children interested in arts and culture . Upstairs , the Women ’ s Study Centre functions as a research centre and archive of women ’ s documents for regional women ’ s studies .
Dr . Ghubash has positioned the museum as a tool for raising awareness about the value of women in Emirati society but more importantly , she wants it to fuel a shift in perspectives and a breakdown of the stereotypes traditionally attached to women .