Gender equality and women’s empowerment have always been very important to me, and as a woman living in the UAE, I have been lucky enough to experience first-hand how our nation has dedicated itself to the fair treatment of women.

In fact, the UAE ranked first in the Arab world and 18th globally in the UN Development Programme’s 2020 Gender Equality Index. Being part of such a forward-thinking and equality-driven country, recognised globally for its efforts, is a true privilege.

As well as achieving improved gender fairness and equal opportunities for women, the UAE is home to several fantastic projects and initiatives aimed at women in business. These include She Wins Arabia and She’s Next.

I, like many others, am thrilled with the progress that has already been made. However, I’m equally eager to see this trend continue for future generations of women, so they can experience the same advantages and encouragement to chase their dreams.

The technology sector, for example, is ripe with opportunity, having recently witnessed an influx of female entrepreneurs in the Middle East. In this traditionally male-dominated field, how can we ensure that future generations have the right resources and are empowered to succeed?

Developing skills for life

Providing high-quality education and skill development should be the top priority when it comes to empowering female entrepreneurs.

This may seem like an obvious consideration, but we must ensure that women are provided with equal opportunities to develop their skills, or else their potential may never be realised. We can cement this by encouraging educational institutions to focus on the participation of women in STEM subjects from a young age.

Collaborations between the public and private sectors also have an important role to play. For example, in 2022, DAMAC Group and the Knowledge Fund Establishment signed an MoU to provide AED 20 million of scholarship funding for Emirati students.

We believe public-private sector partnerships will be crucial to equip future generations, particularly aspiring female entrepreneurs, with the skills and knowledge to lead a knowledge-based economy.

Closing funding gaps

Access to the right education and qualifications is the first step, but startup funding and continued access to resources are also necessary if we’re going to provide female entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the tech sector.

What does this look like in practice? Everything from skill development workshops and networking events to entrepreneurial competitions and tech business awards.

By addressing funding gaps and promoting gender-inclusive investment opportunities for female entrepreneurs, we can begin removing barriers to success, and hopefully, we will see the limits to what Emirati women can achieve vanish.

Challenging the status quo

Another way we can show our solidarity with female-tech entrepreneurs is to call out and discourage prejudice and harmful stereotypes where we see them.

At the same time, we must promote and acknowledge women who have excelled in the technology sector, making it clear that they are valued and respected in their field. For instance, it’s great to see the Women in Tech Global Awards hosted in Dubai this November, showcasing inspiring and talented women who have achieved tremendous things. The establishment of similar initiatives would be a welcome addition to the UAE’s events calendar.

Our acknowledgement of the most successful and impactful female-owned tech businesses is a great way to challenge gender-based stereotypes in the industry, highlighting their importance and success in a previously male-dominated sector.

Our nation has made great strides in its commitment to women, and I for one greatly appreciate what has been achieved so far. Now it’s essential that we should look to capitalise on our progress and ensure it continues for future generations.

All in all, I believe that the UAE possesses all the necessary fundamentals to continue to empower female entrepreneurs in the technology sector, and with several projects already underway, the possibilities are endlessly exciting.