NAMA Women Advancement And PwC Middle East Explore Strategies For Retaining Emirati Women In Sharjah’s Private Sector

NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA) and PwC Middle East recently held a panel at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. The aim was to discuss reforms for better retention of Emirati women in the private sector. This event is part of a broader research project by NAMA and PwC, focusing on the experiences and challenges faced by Emirati women in this sector.

The panel, themed "Beyond Recruitment: Strategies to Retain Emirati Female Talent in the Private Sector in the Emirate of Sharjah," included HR directors, policymakers, and senior representatives from both government and industry. Their goal was to turn research findings into actionable recommendations for the sector.

Attendees included Majid Hamad Khalfan Al Marri from the Sharjah Department of Human Resource, Aisha Jasim Al Mansoori from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Maryam Almarzouqi from ACWA Power, Ghada Abdelkader from Crescent Enterprises-Invests, Sumaya Ali Al Zarooni from Shurooq, Fadheela Al Marzouqi from Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Sarah Al Musabi from UAE University. Zina Janabi of PwC Middle East moderated the session.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director-General of NAMA, stated that NAMA aims to empower women across all sectors. She noted that women's diverse skills can significantly contribute to productivity and innovation in the private sector. "Through its various initiatives, NAMA is keen on empowering women across all sectors and strengthening their decision-making roles," she said.

Zina Janabi highlighted the importance of data-driven approaches to support Emirati women in building lasting careers. She remarked on the strong engagement from leaders across sectors as a positive sign for moving beyond dialogue to action. "This collaboration with NAMA reinforces the importance of taking a holistic, data-driven look at what truly supports Emirati women," she commented.

The session began with a presentation on joint research by NAMA and PwC Middle East. Majid Hamad Al Marri then discussed Sharjah’s ongoing Emiratisation efforts. Aisha Jassim Al Mansouri followed with insights on key milestones from the Nafis programme.

Participants stressed the need for coordinated efforts among government bodies, private companies, and support entities. This coordination aims to monitor retention trends and improve workplace engagement for sustainable career paths for women in Sharjah's private sector.

All insights gathered will be included in a final research report set for publication in March 2026. The report will provide comprehensive recommendations based on discussions held during this panel session.

With inputs from WAM