Saleh Fareed Saudi Gazette Dr. Abeer Al-Namankany is one of a new breed of Saudi women who have made scientific and cultural achievements both locally and internationally despite all the challenges that they face. Al-Namankany is a well-regarded paediatric dentist, hypnotherapist, expert in treating dental phobias, columnist, writer and a social activist. Speaking proudly of her fellow Saudi women, she said: “Saudi women are now more ambitious than ever before and have become influential figures in the advancement of the female struggle, especially in their community.” In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Al-Namankany spoke about her background and inspiration, the cultural challenges she has overcome in achieving success, and how she uses her position to encourage and inspire young women in Saudi Arabia. Who is Dr. Abeer Al-Namankany? Tell us about yourself. I am a very well organized person who likes to live in peace. I love my country and am always proud to be a Muslim from Saudi Arabia. I am the single mother of a beautiful daughter. The letter A is my life story; my first four names start with A, my blood group is A+, my academic grades were always A+, and my favourite flight seat is always 1A. I like to travel, where I've learned a lot from the different people I had met. I speak Arabic, English and French. I do not do, or accept, any work if it is not done in a high quality. I work more than I talk, that's why my friends are very limited, and are carefully selected. How about your education background? I've studied dentistry, paediatric dentistry, child psychology, hypnosis and clinical research. My undergraduate degree was from King Abdulaziz University, and my postgraduate degrees were from King's College, London, University College London Eastman Dental institute, and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. I was the first paediatric dentist in the Middle East specialized in psychological, non-pharmacological dental anxiety management. Currently, I work at Taibah University as an assistant professor in paediatric dentistry; the vice dean of library affairs; and the vice dean for postgraduates and scientific research. I am also a consultant and a hypnotherapist in private practice. You have some remarkable achievements. Have you been recognized by your country for those achievements, and as a woman? Saudi Arabia currently is in the process of change for the better. This change might be slow but with the clear vision and wise guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his government, I am sure we will have a bright future, and I am ready to participate in driving these positive changes. In any country, I believe that high achievers need to be recognized, and the systems need to be based on meritocracy. If this is not done, the country faces the risk of a brain drain by losing its qualified and intellectual citizens to the rest of the world where their skills and contributions will be recognized and rewarded. Some Saudi women have talked about their experiences at personal, professional and social levels, and have highlighted the challenges and the traditional stereotypes they face in trying to raise awareness in society about women's capabilities and rights. Have you faced the same problem, and how did you overcome it? Not only in Saudi Arabia, but in any male-dominated place a working woman definitely will face challenges, especially if she has no connections or support. Therefore, a woman should work harder than others in order to achieve her goal. I too suffer from the daily challenges I face, especially since I work with a style that might be called perfectionism. I overcome it by good time management and by focusing my time on my daily schedule so that it is organized by the level of the priority. What's your view on the state of the Kingdom? There are three factors that affect our economy: youth, entitlement, and immigration. The Ministry of Education is spending loads on education of social and religious subjects but not enough in technical qualifications for what the country needs now and in the future. We need to grow exports through high value and tech products. We need to look at other economic models like Singapore. Their GDP per capita is close to $50,000 per annum, whereas in Saudi Arabia it is about $30,000. Saudi Arabia has the potential to do even better than Singapore given the mineral wealth that the country has and the size of our population. There is no oil in Singapore, but they have multiple skills, a good education system, manufacturing and export. The big problem is the culture of entitlement. People need to be held accountable for their individual contribution to our country and economy. Because there is no efficient culture of productivity and efficiency, government spending results in a lot of wasteful expenditure. We need to develop a culture of saving our resources so we can help reduce the expense burden on the state. We need to treat our resources as if they were our own. When you leave your office or room you must switch off the lights and all other electronic devices. We are living on this planet to build and improve it, not only to eat and sleep. What are you objectives in life? My objectives are to change the negative picture of Saudi women nationally and internationally; to develop new educational programs; and to change the system and the approaches of treating patients in order to limit clinical malpractice. Do you have a mentor, someone who really inspires you, a role model? Yes I do, my role model is Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. I like his mentality, vision and success. Can you tell us what keeps you positive? Believing in myself and trusting my internal power. You're already very successful. What is your biggest ambition? My biggest ambition is to be the youngest Saudi professor and the first female minister. I think that I am doing well and I hope that I am moving in the right direction. Do you think women in Saudi Arabia are mistreated or oppressed? Honestly yes, but not directly from the government. Women in Saudi Arabia are usually mistreated by the community and the unintelligent effect of culture. Say'idah Ayesha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), used to teach both men and women. Unfortunately, the first enemy of women is another woman. From my personal experience, most of the support that I had in my life was from men. We can have our model that is inclusive and empowering for all citizens without losing our culture and religion and without copying the West. We must not be like the US or Europe; we must have our own system and model of governance. We hope to see a Saudi woman as a minister and ambassador soon. Would you accept a role in the government, if you were offered one? Yes, with honour and pleasure. Being a minister is my ambition and I believe that Saudi women could play a pivotal role in building their country if given the opportunity.
