PublisHer & Visa sign Agreement to Assist Women in Publishing

An International organisation, PublisHer has signed an agreement with a world leader in digital payments, Visa. PublisHer aims at addressing entrenched gender imbalances in addition to driving a worldwide agenda for change within the global publishing industry. In addition, the key focus of the agreement is to intensify each other’s endeavours while assisting women in publishing and entrepreneurial spaces.

The agreement was signed by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the Founder of PublisHer and Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Dr Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President of Visa and Group Country Manager for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the sidelines of 2024 Sharjah International Booksellers Conference.

The entire motive of the agreement is to provide educational opportunities, mentorship sessions, market insights, and professional advice to UAE’s women in order to aid them in establishing themselves in regional and international business ecosystems.

Sheikha Bodour stated, “The ability to collaborate closely with strategic partners has been a key part of PublisHer’s success since its establishment in 2019. We are, therefore, delighted to collaborate with Visa, and work alongside them as we strive to address pervasive gender imbalances in our respective sectors.”

She continued, “The aims and ambitions of both PublisHer and Visa – through the She’s Next project, are aligned in many ways. By signing this agreement, we are better placed to enhance our support and provide to women in publishing and in business.”

Additionally, Dr Saeeda added, “Visa is thrilled to announce this partnership with PublisHer, a groundbreaking organisation focused on rectifying gender imbalances in global publishing. This collaboration amplifies our commitment to supporting women in publishing and entrepreneurship. Our She's Next, and a separate stream for female publishers — a first-of-its-kind venture, underscores this commitment. With PublisHer's support, we aim to empower women-owned businesses through the 'She’s Next' programme, offering funding, training, and mentorship. Together, we are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in the publishing industry.”