Abu Dhabi women groups discuss gender diversity

AmCham Abu Dhabi and the Central Business District Network of Women (CBD NOW) hosted a successful interactive breakfast event attended by over 150 people:‘Women on Board: How to Attract, Retain and Promote Women on Corporate Boards’. The event was held at the Rosewood Hotel, Abu Dhabi in recognition of International Women's Day 2014 and provided an opportunity to recognise the important role that women play in directorship capacities.

 The speakers explored the progress made so far in the UAE to increase female presence and improve women's representation on corporate boards, and discussed what steps could be taken to set ourselves on the path of gender diversity. Her Excellency Fatima Al Jaber emphasised that "Ambition is the first step to success, the beginning of any journey." The keynote speakers were Her Excellency Fatima Al Jaber, Board Member and Chair of Projects Committee of the Al Jaber Group, a prominent leader in the GCC region construction industry and a director on the Board of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Dr. Shaikha Al Maskari, Chairperson of Al Maskari Holdings.

The distinguished keynote speakers talked about the challenges that they faced in advancing in their career, why diversity is important and how, in their experience, women can play a more significant role in the corporate world. Her Excellency noted that there are currently only 15 female board members in companies listed on the ADX and DFM, representing only 1.86 per cent of the board seats on such companies. She continued by stating "We need to look at the broader picture, which is to bring in more women at all levels of each organization". Dr. Shaikha Al Maskari encouraged the audience, stating, "We have to have moral courage to be on boards."

 Her Excellency Fatima Al Jaber