Sharjah continues to empower businesswomen in emirate
The statement came on the occasion of the SEDD’S launch of the second edition of its ‘Businesswomen in the Emirate of Sharjah’ handbook
Sultan Abdullah Bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), emphasised the department’s dedication to empowering women and female entrepreneurs, as part of its strategic plan, through fostering their creative contributions and supporting their efforts to take on leadership roles.
The statement came on the occasion of the SEDD’S launch of the second edition of its ‘Businesswomen in the Emirate of Sharjah’ handbook, which underscores women’s role and success stories in driving the emirate’s sustainable development and SEDD’S female empowerment efforts, in line with the directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support and qualify women, and offer them further opportunities to contribute to the UAE’S progress.
Al Suwaidi explained that the department’s launch of the e-commerce licence, Etimad, along with its partnerships with government and private entities, such as the NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, are a testament to its commitment to encouraging women to pursue entrepreneurial careers and invest in the emirate, which shows in the SEDD’S latest studies and reports that reveal a spike in commercial licence issuance, especially for women.
Noura Bin Sandal, Deputy Director of Planning and Economic Studies at SEDD, said that the department is implementing economic plans and conducting studies to support female entrepreneurs and provide a conducive climate for investment by streamlining procedures.
Recently, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Pearl Initiative, a leading Gulf business-led non-profit organisation promoting a corporate culture of accountability and transparency, in collaboration with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), hosted a webinar recently to discuss the role of women in the workplace, and examine how organisations can increase diversity representation and create an enabling environment to support women, which is a key pillar of the Gulf region’s long term vision.
The keynote speech of Reem Binkaram, Director of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), was followed by a discussion between
Rana Zumai, Head of Corporate Communications for Nesma Holding based in Saudi Arabia, and Maryam Zaman, Partner and Head of Governance Services at KPMG Lower Gulf, and moderated by the Pearl Initiative’s Executive Director, Ranya Saadawi.
Describing the webinar’s participants as “gamechangers” in her opening address, Reem Binkaram said: “The stories of these extraordinary individuals will show us what is possible when the right choices and decisions impacting gender equality are made.”
She stressed that NAMA launched Irtiqa, a global plaform for women in 2019, to foster a stronger understanding of both the business and social value of women’s economic inclusion.
“Through Irtiqa, NAMA strives to increase the uptake of the global Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPS) by closing knowledge gaps, actioning inclusion, and driving change to realise gender equity as a fundamental for societies and economies to thrive.”
The webinar facilitated a conversation between the female leaders which covered topics such as the role of senior leadership and incorporating diversity on corporate boards without it becoming a check-box exercise; policies that companies in the region can implement to build and grow a diverse workforce; how companies can upskill women in their organisation’s long term; and practices that shape a company culture where females can enjoy a healthy work life balance and, ultimately, flourish.
Panellist Rana Zumai, Head of Corporate Communications for Nesma Holding, said, “I was honoured to represent Nesma and be a part of this discussion facilitated by NAMA and the Pearl Initiative. This discussion is another opportunity to createconversationonhowcompaniescandobeter and do more to ensure inclusion for women, falling in line with the visions of our governing entities.”
Rana continued by stating the importance of leadership and their values to promote women in the workplace. Nesma has implemented a number of initiatives and practices to shape a culture where females can prosper. These included mentorship programmes for women, study and training opportunities and integrating corporate responsibility throughout the organisation.