Abu Dhabi-based incubator Krypto Labs hosted prominent female Emirati and international role models and influencers at its Female Leaders Forum themed “Empowered and enlightened female entrepreneur of tomorrow”.

Hosted in partnership with Dubai Chamber 'Dubai Business Women Council' at Krypto Labs headquarters in Masdar City, the forum was also attended by Hafsa Ulama, ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Brazil.

Dr. Saleh Al Hashemi, managing director of Krypto Labs, welcomed Ulama, panelists and prominent Emirati and international female business figures including Mariam Al Mheiri, chief executive officer of Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54; Heather Henyon, partner in Mindshift Capital; AlReem Saif, celebrity influencer and entrepreneur and Elissa Freiha, co-founder of Womena.

In his keynote speech, Dr Al Hashemi noted that 23,000 Emirati businesswomen are running up projects worth over Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion), and represent 15 per cent of the positions in the boards of chambers of commerce and industry nationwide.

Ulama said: “We vehemently supported the pioneering experience of the UAE as it figures prominently as a global model. We remember the encouragement and the unwavering support support the Emirati women received from the Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God have mercy upon him), the founding father of the UAE who honoured women and expressed his concern that the success of the nations is linked to the participation of women in all social, economic and political spheres. Emirati women continue to be fully supported and encouraged by HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Supreme Chairperson of Family Development Foundation (FDF), Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU) and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood, who spares no effort in raising the level of women and enabling them to play their roles as active partners in building the nation through the launch of the National Strategy of Empowerment of Emirati Women 2015-2021.”

Al Mheiri addressed the challenges facing women in the business sector, including social environment where women are always in the minority in business and in executive roles. She also highlighted the need to form networks of communication and sharing among women in all economic and political sectors.

The forum continued with a panel discussion on the overall issues of women empowerment and addressed the challenges facing women success in the entrepreneurial sector.

Henyon said: “There is no doubt that women in the UAE have come a long way in developing their skills in all fields and sectors. Yet, and on a more global scale, limitation in making informed choices to thoughtfully conjoin work success and home fulfilment, stands as the one prominent factors that hinder female leadership success in most parts of the world. Not to mention the gender imbalance dilemma that is hindering female business and corporate leaders form climbing higher the peaks of economic and business sectors.”

The Female Leaders Forum was a perfect opportunity for like-minded Emirati and international female leaders along with Krypto Labs experts and executives to bond and address together the many compliant issues that require consideration. The panel discussion saw numbers of businesswomen and guests taking part in the panel discussion.

Freiha noted: “From my perspective and my personal entrepreneurial experience, it is much easier for women in the UAE to create their own business than in many countries around the world. There is no doubt that the UAE made a huge leap in empowering women as well as having the amazing advantage of being a young nation with treasures of opportunities for women to fulfil their ambitions.”

Saif added: “It is not a secret that we are reaping the fruits of the UAE’s unique experience in empowering women and gender balance. The UAE stands as a leader in gender parity and integration of local and international female talents in the region and beyond. By pursuing the digitisation of industry, UAE paves the way to greater opportunities for female advancement in the technology, education, media and business industry.” - TradeArabia News Service