Onwards & Upwards: Women's Empowerment Undergoing Renaissance in the Middle East

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Wednesday, 9 August 2023

Women’s empowerment and growth has been undergoing a renaissance of sorts in the Middle East lately.

Historically known to be a male dominated society, the Middle East has seen women’s underrepresentation the work sphere for years. A 2022 report by Heidrick & Struggles concluded that standing at three percent of female leaders, the Middle East lags behind in gender diversity as compared to the global average of seven percent.

However, swift action is being undertaken by the region’s governments and companies to foster gender balance in the workforce and boost women’s participation as leadership figures. A recent survey revealed that 61 percent of UAE’s workforce is positive about women leaders’ impact on organizational success. 39 percent of responders in the same survey envision the future top leader of their current organization to be female.

Other than perception, positive change has been set in motion on ground too. Q1 of 2023 saw women’s participation grow manifolds in the workforce. The numbers well exceeded GCC’s vision 2030 targets with Saudi Arabia clocking 37 percent women representation, the highest in the region.

Women leaders in the Middle East need to lauded for their pioneering work in setting the right examples as role models for inclusive growth. The current edition of Women Entrepreneur magazine takes a step in that direction by highlighting some of the prolific women from the Middle East.

On the cover we have Racha Moukayed McClelland, Managing Director, a prominent figure in the insurance brokerage industry and has consistently demonstrated excellence in her work. Her strategic approach to risk management has earned her a reputation as a seasoned veteran in the industry, and she has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to navigate the market with ease.

Tarannum Malik, Founder and Managing Director, Al Aliyo Hydrofarms is another noteworthy leader. Tarannum is a force to be reckoned with in the world of sustainability and food security. Her drive to positively impact the environment has led her to establish two companies (Ocean Recycling and Al Aliyo Hydrofarms), making a significant difference in the UAE and beyond.

Next up we have Agnes Koltay, CEO, Koltay Facades, who is passionate about the unique combination of structural engineering and aesthetics in facade engineering, Agnes has a particular interest in high-rise buildings. Collaborating with talented architects, she strives to achieve innovative and visually striking results while remaining true to the original architectural intent.

Tania Santos Silva, Founder of Lala Diamonds and Jewelry is another women leader highlighted in the magazine’s current edition. She is an accomplished professional with over 14 years of robust experience in managing corporate communications and crisis situations. She has a strong background in issues preparedness activities and business continuity, making her a trusted leader in navigating challenging situations.

Read more about these women leaders and their success stories. We hope they inspire you as they did us.

Do let us know your thoughts.