Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Highlights participation of Women in Policy-Making Forums at Women in Tech Global Summit

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, president of the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) said that giving women leadership chances and incorporating their perspectives in decision- and policymaking will usher in a better technological roadmap for society when speaking at the second Women in Tech Global Summit in Paris.

In order to optimize the advantages of cutting-edge technology and reduce their risks, Sheikha Bodour, has encouraged tech companies and governments to incorporate women in policymaking.

The publishing entrepreneur and philanthropist is particularly concerned about the underrepresentation of women in the technological industry. She is a passionate supporter of workplace equality.

She spoke to more than 400 international delegates at the annual Summit, which aims to catalyse action on building a more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative STEM environment. The delegates represented industry, government, civil society, and the arts.

Things must change and change quickly.

“We must assume control”, according to Sheikha Bodour. “We need a call to action when you consider that males still dominate government decision-making, policy frameworks, and regulatory requirements even today.”

She showed statistics from UN Women demonstrating the persistently low representation of women in politics and at all levels of decision-making.

According to UNESCO, 61 percent of STEM graduates in my nation, the UAE, are women, up from 57 percent in the Arab world overall, according to Al Qasimi.

She regarded women as the ones who weave the social fabric and who, given the chance to have a greater say in how decisions are made, would develop policies that would enable the use of new technology while controlling any possible negative effects on society.

"Female influence and voice important more than ever, especially now when humanity's technological future is at a crossroads. She emphasised the need for gender parity to be a given rather than only a goal while offering her own unwavering support for the goal.