UAE Summit Boosts Gender Equality Efforts

The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step towards achieving gender equality with the successful hosting of the Inclusion Summit, which set a Guinness World Record for the most pledges received for a gender equality in the workplace campaign in 24 hours. Over 5,000 people signed the pledge, with a majority coming from UAE-based individuals, highlighting the country’s commitment to gender equality.

The two-day summit was hosted by Aurora50, a DEI impact agency, and brought together ministers, policymakers, board directors, C-suite executives, and senior decision-makers to lead the conversation and drive change towards a more inclusive workplace.

Aurora50‘s efforts are focused on driving change through inclusion. The summit saw the launch of the ‘Challenger Programme’ by Emirates Global Aluminium, which aims to promote gender diversity in the heavy industry sector by sharing innovation and best practices. Emirates Global Aluminium has already made significant progress in employing women in roles ranging from shift technicians to executive leadership, with over 470 women employed worldwide.

ADNOC, Aurora50‘s anchor partner, has also made strong progress in driving gender balance, increasing female representation on site by 32 percent since 2017. ADNOC is looking to accelerate its gender equality efforts through its collaboration with the UAE Gender Balance Council.

Diana Wilde, co-founder of Aurora50, emphasized the importance of SMEs starting with the basics, such as using gender-neutral language in job descriptions and communications. She also encouraged SMEs to establish or encourage employees to join equity programs, which can help retain top talent and create role models.

Business owners should ensure their teams understand the importance of inclusive companies and what they aim to achieve.

As the UAE continues to drive its gender equality strategy, the Inclusion Summit has provided a significant boost to the country’s efforts, with over 7,000 people pledging to drive change in their own organizations. With the support of companies like ADNOC and Emirates Global Aluminium, the UAE is well on its way to creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture.

It is a step forward.