Cooperation Agreement focuses on promoting the development of women into Executive and Board roles, as part of good
Corporate Governance
(photo caption:
Imelda Dunlop, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative, Badr Jafar, Founder of the Pearl Initiative,
H.E. Ameera Abdelrahim Binkaram
Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council)
Sharjah, UAE:
The Pearl Initiative,
the
GCC-based, private sector-led, not-for-profit organisation developed in
collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships to
promote best business
practices in the Gulf Region,
today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sharjah Business Women
Council (SBWC) to focus on programmes that encourage women to progress
into Executive
positions and board members of companies in the Region.
The
agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the American University
of Sharjah by and between H.E. Ameera Abdelrahim
Binkaram, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council and Imelda
Dunlop, Executive Director of the Pearl Initiative, in the presence of
Badr Jafar, Founder of the Pearl Initiative and Managing Director of the
Crescent Group and Eman Al Mahmoud, Secretary
General of the Executive Board of Sharjah Business Women Council.
As
a platform for change and development in corporate governance practices
across the Gulf Region, the Pearl Initiative will
work with SBWC to clearly define the business case for the advancement
of women in senior management and Board positions in organisations
across the GCC. The overall aim of the agreement is to develop a
first-of-a-kind programme that will inform business leaders
on practical methods of attracting, retaining and developing women into
senior positions in the UAE and GCC region, and thereby create a larger
pool of Board ready women. The agreement will enable both organisations
to develop insight and increase dialogue
among business leaders, academia, the investment community and the
media with a view to improving Board diversity, strategic decision
making and competitiveness.
The
first project this agreement will facilitate is a major survey of women
in senior management and leadership positions within
the Gulf Region to examine the processes and procedures that enabled
them to reach senior levels in their organisations so these steps can be
developed into a framework for assisting career development for women.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement,
Imelda Dunlop, Executive Director, of the Pearl Initiative, said:
“The signing of this agreement represents an important step in helping
the Pearl Initiative build and raise awareness of the business benefits
of the advancement of women in decision-making
positions. In doing this we will be able to improve the dialogue needed
to create an environment where women are fundamental to the sustainable
success of the Private Sector.”
“With
a focus on preparing the next generation of leaders on the importance
of integrity and ethics, we aim to ensure the next
generation of women leaders are inspired to pursue the career paths
they choose to follow free of glass ceilings.” Dunlop added.
Speaking about the agreement H.E. Ameera Abdelrahim Binkaram, Chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council
said: “Our primary goal at the
Sharjah Business Women Council is to encourage women to excel in the
field of business and to facilitate the healthy growth of women-owned
businesses. To this end collaboration among the stakeholders in the
business community is essential. We are therefore
extremely pleased to be entering into this agreement with the Pearl
Initiative and look forward to seeing the business women in our region
reap the rewards of our cooperative efforts.
“Both parties will immediately start work on a joint programme to develop important regional insight and foster communication
between business leaders.”
Since
2010, the Pearl Initiative has been driving extensive programmes that
positively influence business thinking in all 6 countries of the GCC,
and produces regionally-focused research-based insight reports and
corporate good practice case studies. Programmes for 2014 include those
on Women in Business, Corporate Governance in Family Firms and
Anti-Corruption. The Pearl Initiative also convenes business,
government and civil society leaders at the highest levels and at the
operational levels, in dialogue forums and capability-building seminars.
The
Sharjah Business Women Council was established by virtue of Amiri
Decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE
Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support the integration of
women in all economic activities. The (SBWC) is being supported by Her
Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of
Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for
Family Affairs and Honorary Chairperson of the (SBWC).
The
council aims to encourage women’s contribution in the development
process in the UAE in general and Sharjah in particular. It offers women
wider
fields to develop their personal skills, opportunities for more
creativity and improvement of performance in their professional and
business endeavours. Moreover; the Council contributes in developing
women-owned businesses through guidelines by economic and
finance experts.
