Nissan Middle East Pledges to Increase Female Representation

Nissan Middle East has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace by pledging to reach a 30% female leadership participation rate by 2025. At an event hosted by the UAE Gender Balance Council, the SDG5 Pledge to Accelerate Gender Balance in the UAE Private Sector was signed as a symbol of this commitment.

To guarantee that women are fully and effectively represented at the highest levels of decision-making, the SDG5 Pledge to Accelerate Gender Balance in the UAE Private Sector sets a target of raising the number of women in leadership posts to 30% by 2025. The UAE Gender Balance Council developed the promise, which is in line with the SDG5's fifth target on gender equality, which is to "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls."

Active role

Thierry Sabbagh, President of Nissan Saudi Arabia, INFINITI Middle East, and Managing Director of Nissan Middle East, signed the pledge on behalf of Nissan Middle East. He said: "At a global level, Nissan has long played an active role in challenging the status quo and supporting the advancement of women in the automotive industry. Nissan's regional headquarters have been in the UAE for nearly 30 years, and we are happy to stand with the leadership of the country as they continue to prioritise gender balance on a national level. As we get closer to a more fair and varied automotive sector for all, signing the "SDG5 Pledge to Accelerate Gender Balance in the UAE Private Sector" confirms our commitment to public-private collaborations in the area.”

Nissan continues to ensure equal representation for all and supports diversity in the Middle East through a variety of methods, including training, increased maternity and paternity leaves, and transition coaching to help first-time mothers return to the workforce. Nissan places a strong emphasis on DEI across the organisation, including its supplier base and dealer network.

"Action is the only way for gender equality to truly advance, and at Nissan Middle East, we try to set the bar high. This commitment represents our desire to create a more fair work environment where a varied and inclusive workforce can flourish and contribute their own talents and viewpoints. In order to empower our female coworkers, increase their representation in positions of authority, and expand the possibilities that allow women to develop in their careers and realise their full potential, effective allyship is essential on both an organisational and personal level”, Sabbagh said.

Women in workforce double

Nissan's efforts have paid off as the proportion of women working for the company in the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania (AMIEO) area is expected to treble between 2019 and 2022. Nissan continues to set an example for the auto industry by promoting a gender-equal culture, bringing about good change and motivating others to do the same.

Nissan joined Mona Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai's Media Office, and members of the UAE Gender Balance Council in a roundtable discussion after the commitment was signed to address important issues pertaining to gender equality. The discussion highlighted policy shortcomings and possibilities regarding gender balance in the UAE, the competencies required to reach UAE economic goals, and strategies to improve public-private cooperation in order to realise UAE objectives.

The SDG5 Pledge to Accelerate Gender Balance in the UAE Private Sector is based on four basic pillars: transparency through data sharing, gender mainstreaming in policies and programmes, gender equitable recruitment and promotion, and equal pay and fair remuneration. Participating firms make a commitment to regularly evaluating the gender wage gap, putting in place policies that promote a healthy work-life balance, ensuring equitable opportunities, and creating an atmosphere that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.