Irtiqa CEO Majlis Unites Leaders To Promote Gender Equality In Business Governance

The Irtiqa CEO Majlis, organised by NAMA Women Advancement with the Pearl Initiative, gathered senior executives from UAE and global firms at The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah. The event aimed to promote gender equality and inclusive leadership in workplaces. This 2025 edition brought together leaders from sectors like energy, aviation, transport, manufacturing, and technology to discuss integrating gender-equitable practices into business governance.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director-General of NAMA Women Advancement, highlighted the Majlis's role in supporting women's participation in decision-making. She stated that "diversity is the engine of productivity," emphasising equity and equal opportunity as essential economic tools for building innovative institutions. Al Hammadi urged organisations to mirror market diversity and invest in future women leaders.

Ralph Choueiri, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative, stressed the importance of workplace gender equity for sustainable growth. He remarked that the Majlis "provides a crucial platform for business leaders to exchange insights," enhancing accountability and turning commitments into tangible outcomes. This dialogue is vital for fostering inclusive leadership.

The roundtable discussion titled "From Commitment to Impact: The CEO Dialogue on Inclusive Leadership" examined how inclusive governance fosters innovation and resilience. Moderated by Noha Hefny, an expert in women's economic empowerment, participants shared case studies and tackled barriers to equity. They also explored integrating gender equality into business goals and company culture.

Representatives from prominent companies such as SAP, TAQA Transmission, Arada, Emirates Global Aluminium, TENEO, Air Arabia, Google, PwC, and Petrofac participated in the session. Their involvement underscored the commitment of leading organisations to advancing gender equality within their operations.

Commitment to Sustainable Change

Closing reflections at the event encouraged CEOs to remain engaged and accountable. This reinforced Irtiqa’s role as a national platform for transforming businesses towards gender inclusivity. The initiative aims to equip companies with strategies and expertise needed for sustainable organisational change.

Irtiqa serves as NAMA’s flagship programme dedicated to promoting workplace gender equality. It provides businesses with necessary tools and strategies to drive equitable change within their organisations. By fostering such initiatives, Irtiqa seeks to create a more inclusive business environment across various sectors.

With inputs from WAM