Making their presence felt

Being amongst the world's fastest growing economies, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, accounting for almost half of the world's proven oil reserves and 17 per cent of global natural gas reserves, are increasingly capturing international headlines in their efforts to diversify their economies, accelerate their non-oil growth, attract foreign direct investment; and for their women's noticeable participation in government and business.

With a young, highly educated and ambitious leadership emerging across the GCC, comes a vision of reform, diversification and transformation. In translating the vision of sustainable economic growth for the future, GCC states are focusing on addressing challenges such as their increasing young population - 42 per cent of the GCC population is under the age of 15; the underemployment and/or unemployment amongst the national population - overall 40 per cent of the work force are nationals, mainly concentrated in the public sector; raising the quality of their public education system; and empowering women's participation in society.

According to the Arab Human Development Report 2005, "the advancement of women is a prerequisite for a comprehensive revitalisation of Arab culture". But this is a global challenge, not restricted to one country or region. Women worldwide face the challenge of balancing their professional roles with that of their families and communities. Over the last five years, the GCC has witnessed and proven women's accomplishments across industry sectors and within government leadership.

Although political participation of women in the GCC is still limited, it is gradually improving. The region's leadership are enhancing the role of women in politics and actively encouraging female participation through voting and candidacy. In 2004, the UAE's decision to appoint Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi as the minister of economy emphasised the country's modernising approach and long term vision. In Saudi Arabia, with the accelerating reform process, the authorities are actively engaging with women to enhance their participation in government.

On the business front, women across the GCC have merged into the world's influential and powerful professional group. The likes of Lubna Olayan - Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Olayan Financing Company, the Saudi investment and operations arm of the Olayan Group; and Maha Al Ghunaim - Founder, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of Global Investment House, a Kuwait-based investment firm with assets under management totalling over US$6.2 bn, were listed in Forbes and Time magazines in the respective publication's listing of the "100 Most Powerful Women" and "The World's 100 Most Influential People".

Other leading female business professionals across the Gulf include Nahed Taher - Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf One, a Bahraini based investment bank with US$ 100m in capital; Raja Al-Gurg - Managing Director of Easa Saleh Al-Gurg Group - overseeing 20 manufacturing and trading companies and over US$2bn revenue and president of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry Businesswomen's Committee; and Lujaina Haider Darwish - Managing Director of Mohsin Haider Darwish, a leading Omani conglomerate, and one of the two members of her country's Majlis al-Shura Council, have made their mark not just in their respective countries but regionally and internationally.

Empowered by first rate education, business savvy, commitment and determination to make a difference, the women of the GCC have set the example for generations to come. Going forward, they will form a force within the region, not only in terms of their direct contribution to the economy, but their impact on the views, identity and future shaping of the next generation and beyond.

Nessrine Salah is a consultant with Korn/Ferry International in the Middle East.

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