Middle East's Economy Grows, so Does Women's Workforce Participation

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Monday, 21 October 2024

The pandemic was a testing for business landscapes across the globe. Surely yet steadily, economies bounced back to life and the GCC region is no exception. The regional economy has overcome the roadblocks out in place by the pandemic and has emerged much stronger and resilient that before. Although the oil and petroleum sectors have been the most lucrative industries for the Middle East, yet other sectors have gained prominence and have also registered growth after overcoming the pandemic.

The region has also made strides in bringing more women into the workforce. While the rest of the world was grappling with women’s participation falling during the pandemic, Saudi Arabia’s total female workforce participation saw an increase. According to a report released by the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, the number increased to 33.6 percent in the first quarter of 2022 from 20.5 percent in 2019.

The Women Entrepreneurs Review celebrate all such strides made by women of the world and thus we bring to you inspirational stories of women leaders who have made a mark in the Middle East business landscape.

One such woman leader is Hana Hamzeh, Founder, Fifreedomtoday. Hana is the founder of a pioneering platform dedicated to financial literacy for Arab youth. With a rich background in journalism and digital media, she is committed to empowering the next generation through accessible financial education and transforming lives with her visionary approach to financial freedom.

We also feature an interaction with Sejal Nagjee is a resilient leader with a 21-year track record of excellence in landscape and interior design. She values dedication, collaboration, and perseverance. With the mindset of 'rest if needed, but never quit,' Sejal has successfully led over 1,000 projects, consistently fostering alignment and support to achieve outstanding results.

Sara Abdulsalam, Director of Marketing, Arabella Beach Hotel is another noteworthy leader. Sara's analytical skills from her education and her creative drive have been instrumental in her success in the hospitality industry, where she excels in developing data-driven, effective marketing strategies. Sara is a travel influencer with Instagram and Tiktok account ‘inspired_bysara’ and was chosen as one of the top 5 travel influencers in Kuwait.

In this edition also read about Valeria Lang, the COO of BRAVE Combat Federation, where she drives global expansion and innovation in MMA. With a strong background in sports management and a commitment to excellence, she has significantly contributed to the organization’s growth and global presence, establishing BRAVE CF as a leading MMA entity.

Read more about these inspirational women and the secret to their success.

Do let us know your thoughts.