Property Finder introduces new programme, SheForShe, to support female real estate professionals in UAE

The introduction of "SheForShe Empowered by Property Finder," a custom, one-of-a-kind initiative to promote gender equality in the UAE real estate industry, has been announced by Property Finder. 

The project, which is free for all aspiring female real estate professionals, brings together a varied group of seasoned female real estate players to develop the next wave of female industry leaders.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area would need 115 years to achieve gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2022. In these nations, the percentage of women hired for leadership posts climbed from 33.3% in 2016 to 36.9% in 2022. 

The pandemic, however, hampered development, with yearly hiring rates only reaching 35% in 2019–2020 and 36% in 2021. Compared to the other industries listed, just 29% of women hold leadership positions globally in the real estate sector.

As a result, Property Finder is dedicated to increasing the participation of women in senior roles in the region's real estate industry in order to achieve a more gender-balanced industry. 

It has been demonstrated that include both men and women in decision-making broadens viewpoints, boosts creativity and invention, diversifies the talent and competency pool, lessens disputes, and ultimately enhances the decision-making process, which in turn helps the economy.

The business has discovered some exceptional female executives who are revolutionizing the sector. SheForShe Supported by Property Finder seeks to share their experiences in order to motivate others and provide them a platform from which to mentor the following generation of leaders.

Sevgi Gur, Chief Marketing Officer of Property Finder, is in charge of the initiative. Safura Abasniya, Partner and GM at Aston Pearl, Alessia Sheglova, CEO of Dacha Real Estate, and others serve as mentors and ambassadors. 

Kika Pavese, MD of MD Real Estate, Linda Muldoon, Owner, and Director at The Urban Nest, Wendy Stapleton, MD at Hunt & Harris, Louise Heatley, Owner and MD of Exclusive Links Real Estate Brokers, Natalya Muzaleva, MD of RePublik Real Estate, Hanan Janho, MD of Emirates Properties, and Zahrah Bacchus, Director of Key Accounts at Property Finder are among the professionals who work in this field.

"At Property Finder, we think that by encouraging gender equality in the business, we can strengthen the real estate market in the MENA area," stated Sevgi Gur, Chief Marketing Officer of Property Finder and Head of the SheForShe Initiative. As the first platform developed by women for the future generation of women, "SheForShe" has enormous power. 

With the use of this platform, we can motivate others and help them get the courage to do more by sharing inspirational stories and collective knowledge of today's female leaders.

In addition to comprehensive training, the six-month capacity-building program will include mentoring. Participants will receive mentoring from highly skilled and experienced mentors on how to overcome typical business obstacles and deal with change in this hectic environment.

Twenty applicants will be narrowed down by a selection committee for a face-to-face interview, from which 10 persons will be selected to take part in the program. The program will provide certificates to the women who finish it. 

SheForShe by Property Finder Ambassadors also agreed to promote the Program, its efforts, and its goals while working to reform the UAE market to be more gender-equal. These commitments are outlined in an MOU that was signed by both parties.

Quotes from SheForShe Empowered by Property Finder ambassadors:

Kika Pavese, MD of MD Real Estate: "Being a part of the SheForShe by Property Finder project is a fantastic honour and an excellent inspiration for me. I'm appreciative of the women who opened the way for other women to succeed in the field, and I'm eager to return the favour.

I genuinely think that women should support one another, therefore I'm delighted to contribute to the success of this admirable effort, says Louise Heatley, owner and managing director of Exclusive Links Real Estate Brokers. I'm excited to impart my knowledge and expertise to my mentees and support them as they progress in the real estate industry.

Real estate is a profession that strongly depends on empathy and communication, two traits that women excel at, according to Hanan Janho, MD of Emirates Properties. Since I want other women to find careers in this field as gratifying as mine have been, I am delighted to mentor new female talent.

About the Application:

On March 8, 2023, in observance of International Women's Day, applications will be accepted. The submission cut-off date is March 30, 2023. Three weeks will pass between the screening process and connecting the selected candidates to a Property Finder agent to meet their mentors. The initiative will start in Q2 2023.