The Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), and Leaders Middle East magazine hosted the first Power Women of Arabia Debate which welcomed distinguished participants and prominent female leaders to debate on current matters around women empowerment and its future prospects.

 

Held at the Address Dubai Marina, the debate was opened by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, with a speech which emphasised the commitment that the UAE has towards supporting women in shaping the socio economic landscape of the UAE.

 

Becky Anderson, managing editor CNN, Abu Dhabi and Anchor of Connect the World, moderated a one-on-one live interview with Dr Raja Easa Saleh Al Gurg, president of the Dubai Business Women Council, followed by the first panel discussion with power women including Sheikha Al Zain Al Sabah, Undersecretary of Youth Affairs in Kuwait; Ahlam Yousif Al Janahi, board member of Bahran Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mona Bawarshi, chief executive officer, Gezairi Transport Group; Mona Mohtasseb, director of the Wealth and Investment Management at Barclays; and Dr Ismahane A Elouafi, director general and ICBA Agriculture.

 

“Today’s debate highlighted that women are already participating in the business community and playing a big role in the UAE and GCC economy, but there is still a lot of opportunity for growth. It is the role of both the government and the private sector to action initiatives that further encourage the development of women in this region,” Dr Al Gurg.

 

Lorenzo Jooris, CEO and editor-in-chief, Leaders Middle East Magazine, said: “Studies are showing that women are more entrepreneurial spirited than men in this region. We are witnessing a higher percentage of startups in the UAE from women. 

 

"Also companies that have bigger percentage of women on their boards are showing to be more profitable organisations. We would like to thank all our sponsors, Barclays Bank, Philips, AIG, AT Kearney, The Meera Kaul Foundation, Trox, the Address Dubai Marina, wasl properties, Wollongong University, Servcorp, OSN and Orme.”

 

The Power Women of Arabia Debate will be a yearly event and intends to increase the dialog between individuals and corporations for finding ways of encouraging the development of women in society in the region. - TradeArabia News Service