UAE guarantees equal opportunities of work and education to women, ASF delegates told

Speakers included Raja Essa Saleh Al Gurg, Managing Director, Essa Saleh Al Gurg Group, UAE; Maureen Kempston Darkes, Vice President, General Motors Group and President, General Motors Latin America, Africa and Middle East, USA; and Sheikha Hanadi bint Khalid Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson and Managing Director of Amwal, Qatar.

The session was moderated by Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairperson, Arab International Women's Forum, United Kingdom.

Raja Essa Al Gurg said that it is assumed that women from the Arab World are prevented from rising to the top because of cultural and religious reasons. She said that this was wrong especially in context of the UAE where women are guaranteed equal opportunities of work and education.

Al Gurg said that women have been able to establish themselves professionally because of personal dedication and the support of the UAE Government.

She said that although women have established their presence in the business world, 44 per cent of the businesses run by women are small enterprises and only 2.3 per cent are medium sized businesses.

Sheikha Hanadi bint Khalid Al Thani said that Arab women have always been actively involved in management although their focus was more on managing their families and home. She said that the entry of women in the business world is part of the natural evolution of the Arab women as in other parts of the world.

Sheikha Hanadi said that women can retain their feminine and human side while running their businesses successfully.

She underlined the point made by Raja Al Gurg that religion or society does not prevent Arab women from being successful businesswomen. Al Thani said that gender discrimination is against the principles of corporate governance.

Maureen Kempston-Darkes said that women's participation in business world contributes to a much stronger economy and a much stronger society.

She said that the business of a business is to serve customers. This is possible only when you have in-depth knowledge of your customer base. Kempston-Darkes said that women are natural at this besides constituting an important segment of the market.

Kempston-Darkes said that although there are more opportunities for women at present, many lack the confidence to realise them. She said that role models and mentors can play a critical role in nurturing confidence.

She also said that women need to be provided greater support services and choices to help them achieve greater heights.

The ASF, which has attracted more than 600 distinguished participants and 115 worldwide speakers, is as a vehicle for change and a key driver in the reform and policy shaping of governmental and business organisations throughout the Arab world.

Through a powerful network, facilitated working sessions, state-of-the-art technology, exclusive knowledge and informal platforms, the ASF will provide participants with the resources needed to create opportunities for change in their own environments.

Among those participating in this year's event will be influential personalities from the region's business, government and civil society sectors, and internationally-renowned politicians and business leaders.

Developed under the theme, 'Creating Opportunity from Change', this year's sessions will be underpinned by bespoke knowledge and research on the Arab world, providing a unique information platform for the continued strategic development of the Middle East and North Africa on the global stage.

Focusing on four distinct tracks - Governance, the CEO Agenda, Arab Society and Socio-Economic - the ASF is being earmarked as the leading Arab platform for strategic thinking and the main launch pad for regional programmes and initiatives.