UAE private sector to accelerate gender balance in leadership

In a first of its kind initiative for the UAE private sector, 18 leading local and multinational companies from diverse fields have signed a pledge to accelerate gender balance in leadership positions.

The emphasis is on increasing the representation of women in leadership positions to 30 per cent by 2025.

The initiative reflects the unique partnership between the UAE government and the private sector to achieve national goals and the leadership's vision to enable the country to be a leading global economy in the next fifty years.

The pledge was signed during a ceremony hosted by the UAE Gender Balance Council, the UAE’s National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UAE’s Private Sector Advisory Council on SDGs.

Companies that signed the pledge include Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Masdar, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Dubai Holding, Unilever, Standard Chartered Bank, MasterCard, Michelin, UPS, General Motors, Schneider Electric, PepsiCo, Mondelez International, BASF, Mars, Nestle, and General Mills.

Each of the signatories committed to taking key actions before 2025 to strengthen gender balance in leadership positions, including by: ensuring equal pay and fair compensation; promoting gender equitable recruitment and promotion; mainstreaming gender balance through policies and programmes; and being transparent about progress with fellow signatories and government.

I am proud of the private sector’s commitment to accelerating gender balance in the UAE. Our admirable goal of 30% of leadership roles held by women by 2025 will be achieved through continued partnership and collaboration with the private sector.

— Manal MR AL Maktoum (@MMbinRashid) January 18, 2022

18 leading local and multinational companies from diverse sectors have signed a pledge to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).https://t.co/dyb2A1ELms pic.twitter.com/Tv7BpO1eRp

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 18, 2022