In the UAE, the traditional white kandora is worn by men, while women don the black abaya—both deeply ingrained symbols of gender. Yet, as society evolves, so do gender roles. Sheikh Mohammed's recent appointment of the first female parliamentary speaker in the Middle East exemplifies this shift, just as men increasingly embrace more hands-on roles in parenting.
This photo entry in the Arabian Eye Photo Challenge captures the symbolic transformation of these traditional gender roles. For those unfamiliar with Gulf culture, the significance of an image like this is profound—try searching for something similar, and you'll find it doesn't exist.
The male model, bold enough to wear women's clothing, defied social norms, an act considered illegal and punishable by law. The female model felt uncomfortable wearing the head scarf like a man's 'keffiyeh'. So she styled her scarf in a way women typically would, subtly pushing the boundaries of tradition.
