UAE Gender Balance Council Introduces Pledge Awards To Recognise Women's Leadership Initiatives

H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has introduced the "Gender Balance Council Pledge Awards" in the UAE. These awards aim to honour private companies that promote women's leadership and gender balance within their structures. This initiative aligns with the UAE's broader gender balance agenda, recognising organisations that have effectively integrated these principles into their operations.

The awards build on the SDG 5 Pledge, launched in 2022 with the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals and the Private Sector Advisory Council. H.H. Sheikha Manal highlighted its impact, stating, "The world’s first voluntary initiative of its kind led by the private sector, the pledge has had a significant impact on the country’s corporate landscape, with signatories committing to raising women’s representation in leadership roles to 30%."

Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, noted that 71 organisations have signed this pledge. The goal is to achieve 30% female representation in leadership by 2025 for early adopters and by 2028 for recent signatories. Al Marri stated, "These benchmarks are bold, but they are within reach, and we are committed to helping companies reach them."

Al Marri also emphasised the importance of creating a learning ecosystem where companies share breakthroughs and strategies. This approach aims to foster widespread progress across the private sector. She said, "As we relaunch this initiative, our focus is on reaching the numbers and building a learning ecosystem."

Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, discussed efforts to enhance collaboration with partners of the SDG 5 Acceleration Pledge. She explained that stakeholders aim to build an inclusive economy where both genders have equal opportunities. The council focuses on reducing gender gaps in leadership roles and improving global rankings.

Al Suwaidi highlighted achievements such as increased female workforce participation and legislative reforms supporting gender balance. She noted that women now hold 33.8% of leadership roles in the UAE workforce. Additionally, female participation in labour markets has risen by nearly 21%, contributing significantly to economic growth.

Empowering Women Across Sectors

The UAE Gender Balance Council recently hosted a workshop titled "From Pledge to Progress," gathering representatives from pledged companies and NAFIS. This event provided a platform for sharing best practices and addressing challenges through dialogue and data sharing.

Mona Al Marri opened the session by stating, "When we empower women, we empower nations." The workshop included discussions on building inclusive cultures beyond quotas and highlighted how diverse leadership enhances productivity and innovation.

Strategic Partnerships for Growth

The council's commitment extends beyond recognition; it offers guidance and frameworks to support companies in achieving gender balance goals. A panel discussion explored best practices in promoting women in decision-making roles and overcoming barriers to progress.

Amal Saleh Al Teneiji from NAFIS shared insights into supporting Emirati women's advancement in private sectors. The meeting underscored diversity as a strategic advantage for sustainable growth.

The UAE continues its journey towards gender balance through strong public-private partnerships and legislative reforms. With initiatives like these awards, it aims to further embed inclusivity within organisational cultures while enhancing its global standing.

With inputs from WAM