According to a recent report, over 40% of new hires in leading UAE and GCC companies are women. The Avtar Group’s study reveals that women make up 33% of the workforce in top GCC firms, yet only 28% have been promoted. Encouragingly, 95% of UAE and GCC companies offer leadership training for women, with 79% providing mentoring and executive coaching to enhance women’s career growth.
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“The need for more women in companies is not fully understood by many organizations, leading to women often filling ‘easy positions’ rather than higher roles,” Dr. Saundarya Rajesh of Avtar Group told Khaleej Times. She noted the imbalance, with only 42% of entry-level jobs occupied by women, and emphasized the need for parity in representation.
Dr. Saundarya explained, “If 100 new hires at the entry level consist of 60% women, their numbers will dwindle in higher positions over time. Hence, with only 42% at the entry level, the top positions will see even fewer women.”
During the launch of the Best Companies for Women in the Gulf 2025 report, which highlights leaders in gender diversity, companies like Apparel Group, Canon Middle East, and Wipro Limited were recognized.
Challenges in Male-Dominated Industries
Dr. Saundarya pointed out that women face hurdles in male-dominated fields, like oil and gas, where they’re rarely hired for technical roles. However, with increased educational investments, more qualified women are emerging in the GCC. Dr. Rajesh encouraged companies to actively recruit women, especially in underrepresented sectors, to foster gender balance.
