The UAE Gender Balance Council has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Boustany Institute to support the 'Accelerate SDG 5 Commitment' initiative launched by the Council in 2022. This initiative aims to increase the percentage of women in leadership roles within participating private sector institutions to 30% by the year 2028.

The cooperation, as outlined in the memorandum, will focus on developing frameworks that implement best policies and mechanisms to help private sector institutions establish gender-supportive policies.

Furthermore, it will facilitate knowledge sharing, expertise exchange, and the implementation of joint training initiatives that promote gender balance and women's leadership empowerment.

There is also an aim to secure commitments from 35% of companies and organizations participating in the network of sustainability chief executives managed by the Boustany Institute.

This network includes over 110 institutions, all of which are required to sign the 'Accelerate SDG 5 Commitment' regarding gender balance and the empowerment of women and girls.

Additionally, there will be a coordinated effort with the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafooz) to enhance employment opportunities for Emirati women within these networked institutions.

The memorandum was signed by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Deputy Chairwoman of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and Dr. Yasar Gharar, Managing Partner at the Boustany Institute and Secretary General of the Sustainability Chief Executives Network.

The signing took place in the presence of Mouza Mohammed Al Ghoois Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the UAE Gender Balance Council.

The Boustany Institute is one of 71 national and global companies that have joined the 'Accelerate SDG 5 Commitment' since its inception in 2022, in collaboration with the Private Sector Advisory Council on Sustainable Development Goals.

These companies voluntarily committed to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles at senior and mid-level management to 30% by 2028, across diverse sectors such as aviation, tourism, health, banking, oil, consultancy, financial services, industry, media, and more.

Al Marri emphasized that the signing of this memorandum aligns with the UAE Gender Balance Council's efforts and initiatives to bolster women's participation and presence in the private sector, echoing the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and in accordance with achieved gender balance milestones in the government sector.

She stated, "We are pleased with this new collaboration with the Boustany Institute, a globally prestigious research institution that intensifies its efforts to enhance sustainability and climate technology while promoting economic inclusion for all community members.

This partnership will serve as an inspiring model for cooperation between the public and private sectors to achieve the UAE's national gender balance objectives."

Al Marri highlighted the initiative as a motivation for all institutions to attract more female talent, expressing pride in the outstanding contributions of Emirati women across various disciplines and fields within the private sector, which is a key pillar of the UAE's development and its esteemed global position.

The memorandum establishes a sustainable partnership reflecting both parties' commitment and shared vision to promote gender balance in the private sector and enhance the UAE's competitiveness, where it ranks first regionally and seventh globally on the 2024 Gender Equality Index issued by the United Nations Development Programme.

Mouza Al Ghoois Al Suwaidi stated that upcoming periods will witness increased cooperation with the private sector to foster a gender-responsive work environment, asserting that the cooperation with the Boustany Institute will bolster the 'Accelerate SDG 5 Commitment,' which has received heightened interest from private sector organizations eager to implement policies and mechanisms that provide equitable opportunities for success and prosperity.

Dr. Gharar highlighted that the signing of this memorandum is a pivotal step in supporting national efforts to enhance women's representation in the private sector.

He noted that achieving gender balance is not merely a social goal but a foundational element for fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth.

He elaborated, "At the Boustany Institute, we believe that the economic and social inclusion of women is a crucial element in building more sustainable and competitive societies and businesses.

Our commitment for 35% of our network's institutions to join the 'Accelerate SDG 5 Commitment' reflects our deep commitment to empowering women and enhancing their opportunities in leadership positions."

Dr. Gharar emphasized that the signing of the memorandum signifies the Sustainability Chief Executives Network's commitment to a shared vision ensuring that by 2030, workplaces are environments where success and leadership are defined by capability and competence, without discrimination based on gender.

He concluded by stating that this partnership with the UAE Gender Balance Council represents an additional step toward achieving a more equitable and sustainable future.