Women in the Middle East have been on a topsy turvy ride when it comes to representation in the workforce and leadership roles.

Historically, the Middle East has been a male-dominated society, which resulted in women’s underrepresentation the work sphere. A 2022 report by Heidrick & Struggles found that with three percent of female leaders, the Middle East region trails behind in gender diversity as compared to the global average of seven percent. Even though development differs by nation, issues such as cultural norms and opportunity gaps still exist.

Having outlined the challenge, it is time to turn the lens on the steps being taken by the region’s governments and companies to foster gender balance in the workforce and leadership positions. In good news, a recent survey revealed that 61 percent of UAE’s workforce are positive about women leaders’ impact on organizational success. The same report also saw that 39 percent of responders envision the future top leader of their current organization to be female.

Other than perception, positive change has been set in motion on ground too. Q1 of 2023 saw women’s participation rise tremendously in the workforce. The numbers well exceeded GCC’s vision 2030 targets with Saudi Arabia clocking 37 percent women representation.

Today we see an increasing number of women in the Middle East making their mark in the tech industry, pursuing careers in technology and entrepreneurship. A significant role in improving these numbers has been played by initiatives that promote STEM interest and support female-led startups.

Numerous leadership initiatives and accelerator programmes are available in the Middle East with the express goal of empowering and assisting women. The objective of these programmes is to mitigate gender inequities and furnish women with avenues for professional advancement. They frequently concentrate on topics like networking, mentorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship. These initiatives are crucial for advancing inclusion and gender diversity in a range of fields.

FoundHer

FoundHer is an innovative accelerator programme for women created by Wentors, whose goal is to develop and support female-led businesses across the Middle East and Africa. FoundHer is a flagship programme of Wentors, which promotes a future where businesses arise to provide supportive conditions for women in technology to thrive. This is part of Wentors' commitment to boosting the representation of women in the tech sector.

In addition to providing 100,000 Euros in seed funding, access to a global network of investors and mentors, and a unique mentorship programme designed for startup founders, FoundHer also offers remarkable growth opportunities through strategic partnerships with Plug and Play, Get Funded Africa, and Sterling Bank Nigeria. The ultimate objective of the programme is to witness a robust increase in women-led firms that are successful and leave a lasting impression on their path for success.

Womentum

Womentum is a pioneering women in tech accelerator, a collaboration between womena® and Standard Chartered, specifically catering to women-led tech startups in the MENA region. Over four months, the program offers a transformative experience, integrating early-stage startups into Berlin's dynamic ecosystem and linking them with investors, mentors, and regional markets in Dubai.

The ultimate objective is to provide these startups with all the essential tools and funding necessary to propel them to the next level of growth and success. Womentum's unique approach seeks to empower and uplift women entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and diversity in the tech industry across the MENA region.

Flat6Labs HER

A business accelerator called Flat6Labs HER aims to support female entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa. In order to help women-led enterprises, the programme provides cash, networking opportunities, and mentorship.

Selected entrepreneurs make improvements to their business models, products, and market strategies through workshops and one-on-one coaching. The initiative's goals are to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship and provide women a chance to succeed in the MENA region's commercial environment.

MEWI

The Middle East Program's efforts and Haleh Esfandiari's support of women's empowerment are expanded upon by the Wilson Center's Middle East Women's Initiative (MEWI). MEWI strives to get a deeper understanding of the possibilities and problems associated with gender development via ongoing research and inclusive conversations with women leaders.

The project aims to provide policy suggestions to civil society and governments in the Middle East area with the goal of achieving gender parity. In order to create a more inclusive and equitable society in the area, MEWI is committed to encouraging candid discussions and concrete steps for the progress of women.

AmCham Women Achieve Initiative

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) developed the AmCham Women Achieve Initiative, a programme aimed at strengthening women in the workforce. To promote gender diversity and inclusion in business and leadership roles, the programme offers a variety of networking events, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy activities.

It aims to create an environment that is more egalitarian and inclusive for women to succeed in their jobs by breaking down obstacles and offering tools for skill-building and a supportive community. The programme supports and motivates the upcoming generation of women leaders by showcasing accomplished female role models, which helps create a more diverse and equitable workforce.