For a long time, goods delivery in the United Arab Emirates was considered predominantly a male profession. However, the first group of women to join Talabat's delivery service in the UAE made this decision not only to challenge stereotypes but also to ensure financial independence and support their families, proving that a profession should not be defined by gender.
Recently, Talabat in the UAE welcomed its first batch of twenty female couriers, marking an important step in the company's efforts to expand opportunities for women in logistics and delivery.
Hasina Bibi Mehroban Shah, a single mother of four daughters, decided to become a courier to provide a better future for her children. She emphasized that 'every honest job has dignity.' Despite initial concerns from some family members about her safety, their worry turned to pride after witnessing her dedication.
Shah recalled times when she and her daughters had to struggle to meet basic needs, but stated that 'today we have hope, and this hope changes everything.' She added that the safety and stability in the UAE gave her confidence as a single mother, and the respect and support from customers motivate her to continue working.
Oliver Nankwanga believes that being a courier is more than just a job. Having worked in the field for over eight years, starting her journey in Uganda, she noted that this role has given her both independence and purpose, allowing her to raise five children.
According to her, being a courier allows her to pay for her children's school fees, provide food for her family, and build a stable future. She says, 'This responsibility drives me every day.' Nankwanga hopes that customers will see her as 'a hardworking, determined woman who is proud of what she does,' rather than focusing on the fact that she works in a traditionally male profession.
Suhaira Nantongo also faced doubts from friends and family when she decided to become a courier. Many thought the job would be too difficult for a woman. However, she saw it differently, describing it as 'an honest, respectable way to earn a living.'
She noted that one of the most pleasant aspects of the job is the reaction of customers, many of whom stop to express their admiration and curiosity. She believes that knowing she can change people's perceptions of women's opportunities inspires her daily.
Nantongo is convinced that attitudes are changing, asserting: 'there is no longer such a thing as a 'male job,' especially in this generation,' because 'the only thing that truly matters is determination.'
Although each woman's path is unique, they share a common belief that honest work deserves respect regardless of gender. They hope that their presence on the roads will encourage more women to enter industries where they have traditionally been underrepresented, demonstrating that human achievement is determined not by gender, but by persistence and perseverance.
For many residents and workers in the Business Bay, Barsha Heights, and Al Quoz areas, the most frustrating part of daily commutes is not the distance, but the process of entering Dubai's congested main roads.
Dubai plans to solve this issue with the recently approved Al-Haal Street Development Plan. This plan involves creating a 15-kilometer elevated corridor with three lanes in each direction, running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027 and be completed by the fourth quarter of 2030.
According to Dubai authorities, the new corridor will provide access to approximately 2.6 million people, improve connectivity to Al Barsha, Al Quoz, Business Bay, and Meydan, increase road capacity by about 9,000 vehicles per hour, and, most importantly, reduce travel time on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51 percent during peak hours.
An analysis by A Khaleej Times shows that Al-Haal Street serves a different function compared to Dubai's two main north-south highways. While Sheikh Zayed Road is designed for the rapid movement of large volumes of traffic across the city, Al-Haal Road itself acts as a high-speed bypass, passing through numerous residential and commercial zones where daily routes begin and end.
This corridor crosses areas such as Business Bay, Al Quoz, Barsha Heights, Green Zones, and Meydan—places where people live, work, study, receive deliveries, and use taxis daily. Unlike major city highways that primarily serve transit traffic, Al-Haal connects neighboring communities, becoming an important route for shorter daily journeys.
Mohammed Arif, a finance specialist residing in Business Bay and working in DIFC, noted that despite the short distance between home and office, the main difficulty lies in exiting Business Bay during peak hours. He emphasized that sometimes the time spent just reaching Sheikh Zayed Road exceeds the actual travel time, and the new corridor could significantly simplify these short daily trips.
Residents of Barsha Heights have also expressed hope for an additional north-south route. Anjali, who commutes daily from Techom to Business Bay, stated that she usually has to choose between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Haal Road depending on the traffic. She believes that having another major corridor will distribute cars across more roads, and saving even 10 or 15 minutes a day would be a significant improvement.
Ridwan Ahmed, who works in Al Quoz and lives in JLT, sees the problem not so much in the distance as in bottlenecks. He reported that even when leaving the office on time, he spends a lot of time trying to reach the main roads. He believes that improving connectivity around Al Quoz and adjacent areas will make journeys less stressful.
Taxi drivers who spend most of their day on Dubai's roads believe the project could improve short trips between neighboring areas and allow them to arrive faster at online ride requests. Sajid Rasul, who has been driving a taxi in Dubai for over ten years, noted that many passengers travel only between places like Business Bay, Al Quoz, and Barsha.
He added that they often have to use Sheikh Zayed Road now because it is the faster option. If Al-Haal becomes a smooth corridor, many of these short trips will not require using the main highways, which will also help distribute traffic across the entire road network. Delivery personnel also noted that they sometimes choose longer routes on the highways because stopping at multiple traffic lights can take more time during busy periods. Shahid Hussain, who handles food delivery across central Dubai, said that if Al-Haal becomes a smoother route, it will help deliver orders to customers faster during peak hours.
