Private sector companies in the UAE pledge to make 30% of management roles occupied by women   

The companies are working towards putting more women in senior leadership positions and are aiming to make sure 30 per cent of middle and senior management roles go to women.

In a powerful demonstration of commitment to gender equality in the workplace, the UAE Gender Balance Council hosted the signing of the Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge on the first day of the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024.

Women in management in UAE

This pioneering initiative brings together leaders from some of the UAE’s most influential organisations to accelerate the representation of women in leadership roles and champion equality at all levels of decision-making.

Representatives of seven prominent organisations signed the pledge;

• Yaser Almazrouei, Executive Director, People, Commercial and Corporate Support at ADNOC
• Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim IKEA, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Oman
• Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Managing Partner, Posterity Institute and Secretary-General, CSO Network
• Vijaypal Singh Bains, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates NBD
• Balaji Nagabhushan, Group Chief Administrative Officer at Tristar Group
• Dr. Nabil AlYousuf, International Advisory Group (IAG)
• Zainab Alsaffar, Chief Human Resource Officer of Mediclinic Middle East

The Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge underscores the UAE’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality as a national priority.

The signatories have pledged to work towards ensuring that 30 percent of middle and senior management roles are occupied by women by 2028.

This target aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 which calls for the full and effective participation of women in leadership positions globally.

Yaser Almazrouei, Executive Director, People, Commercial & Corporate Support at ADNOC, said: “As a proud signatory of the UN SDG 5 Pledge, ADNOC is committed to driving greater gender diversity across our organisation. This commitment is not just an ethical imperative but also a strategic priority that helps future-proof our business while fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future for the energy industry.”

Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, Al-Futtaim IKEA, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, said: “At Al-Futtaim IKEA, equality is at the core of who we are and how we grow. We are honoured to join the UAE Gender Balance Council in the second phase of the SDG 5 Pledge, reflecting our commitment to advancing gender equality in the UAE.

“With 31 per cent of our workforce being women and 24 per cent in senior leadership roles, we take pride in fostering an inclusive culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. This pledge is a significant step towards achieving 30 per cent women’s representation in senior roles by 2028, and we are proud to contribute to this important milestone.”

The pledge focuses on actionable steps, including equal pay initiatives, gender-equitable recruitment practices, mentorship programmes, and the elimination of unconscious bias.

Companies must transparently report their progress to the UAE Gender Balance Council annually, reinforcing accountability and driving measurable change.

Mona Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, emphasised the transformative impact of such initiatives.

She said: “The Gender Equality Acceleration Pledge exemplifies the UAE’s leadership in fostering a future where women’s potential is fully realised. True gender equality is not just a goal but a cornerstone of sustainable development, innovation, and progress. Together, we pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.”

The pledge builds on the UAE’s 2018 Equal Pay law and the nation’s efforts to promote gender equality in alignment with international best practices.

By collaborating with global organisations such as the ILO, UNGC, and UN Women, the UAE is setting a benchmark for gender balance in the private sector.