Included in 7 countries in the region that have taken effective steps to increase women's representation

UAE first regionally in adhering to women's quota on corporate boards of directors

One of the events of the World Women's Summit in Dubai. From the source

A study of 1148,16 companies listed in 8 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey revealed that 6.55% of the seats on the boards of directors of companies are held by women, noting that the UAE came among seven countries in the region that are taking effective steps to increase women's representation on those boards, while leading the region in adhering to the quota for women. The study, announced by Women Global Managers in a report released by the Global Women's Summit, which concludes in Dubai today, showed that with the fact that more than half of the companies listed in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (5.33%) region do not have female board members, it is clear that the percentage of women on various boards in the region is one of the lowest globally, compared to the same percentages in Europe, the United States and Canada at 32% and <>% respectively.

The proportion of the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region is similar to that of Latin America, where women are represented on various boards of directors there is about 14.5%, while the percentage improves slightly in the rest of Africa (19.1%) and the Asia-Pacific region (16.2%).

Irene Natifidad, President of the Global Women's Summit, said: "Although low overall is the dominant feature of the region, a number of countries in it, as well as many companies, are focusing on accelerating gender diversity in corporate boardrooms.

She added that the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Bahrain, Lebanon and Tunisia have all taken great steps to increase women's representation on boards.

Natividad considered that the legal quotas for the appointment of female directors «quota» is one of the most effective initiatives in raising the presence of women on boards of directors, noting that it began historically in Europe, and has spread and is now present in 45 economies.

She pointed out that the UAE began the quota system in 2012, becoming the first country in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region to pay state-owned companies to commit to a quota for women, before expanding in 2020 to include all listed companies, followed by Egypt with a target of 25%, and Morocco, where companies are required to allocate 30% of seats to women as a minimum on boards of directors by 2024.

The report was prepared by the Global Women's Summit in collaboration with Deloitte, a leading strategic consulting and professional services firm.