Avtar Group Unveils 2025 Best Companies for Women In Gulf At Dubai Event

During the 2025 Best of Best (BOB) – Gulf Conference in Dubai, Avtar Group, a consultancy specialising in workplace culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion solutions, unveiled the latest edition of its esteemed Best Companies for Women in Gulf (BCWG) list.

This initiative, now in its second year, serves as a critical benchmark across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, highlighting organisations that excel in promoting gender diversity and creating inclusive environments for their employees.

The announcement spotlighted companies that are paving the way in establishing inclusive workplaces, particularly for women. These organisations have been recognised for their efforts in various facets of employment, including the recruitment and retention of female professionals, representation of women in leadership, equitable pay, and the provision of supportive policies for parents and caregivers.

Additionally, the criteria for evaluation encompassed flexible working arrangements and the accountability of management in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The 2025 BCWG study identified 10 standout companies, along with nine additional businesses, that have made significant strides in fostering inclusive work environments. These companies come from a wide array of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, retail, and financial services, showcasing the broad commitment to gender diversity across industries.

The top 10 firms, listed include A A Al Moosa Enterprises Car Rental Division (Thrifty & Dollar), Al Shirawi Facilities Management LLC, Diversey- A Solenis Company, DKHOON AL EMIRATIA, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, Ecolab, EY, Finastra UK Limited, KONE MIDDLE EAST LLC, and TruKKer. Additionally, nine more companies were acknowledged for their efforts, further underscoring the increasing focus on creating equitable workplaces within the Gulf region.

Key statistics from the study reveal a promising trend toward gender inclusivity, with women constituting 33% of the workforce in these celebrated companies. Furthermore, 42% of new hires across these organisations are women, indicating a proactive approach to balancing gender representation. Among these companies, women's promotion rates stand at 28%, with this figure rising to 34% in the top ten firms.

These advancements are supported by comprehensive development programs, with 95% of the companies offering leadership training and a significant majority providing formal mentoring and executive coaching. Such initiatives are crucial for career progression, as evidenced by the high rates of promotion among women in these organizations.

To further champion women's engagement and ensure equity in career advancement, 63% of these companies have established employee resource groups. Additionally, an equal percentage of firms guarantee a maintained performance rating during paid maternity leave and offer counseling for postpartum stress or depression, highlighting the holistic support provided to female employees.

Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, founder-president of Avtar Group, emphasised the growing commitment to gender inclusion across the GCC.

"Best companies, hailing from across industry sectors have instituted comprehensive inclusion frameworks, to ensure women's advancement is recognised as a strategic growth priority," Dr. Rajesh stated. She highlighted the role of leadership training, coaching, mentorship, and sponsorship in promoting a culture of allyship and creating equitable career paths for women.

Subha V. Barry, president of Seramount, echoed these sentiments, celebrating the initiative's momentum and the meaningful actions taken by these organisations to support women in the workplace. "These organisations are not only investing in equity, they're helping shape a more inclusive future of work," Barry remarked.