UAE Gender Balance Council and Posterity Institute Partner to Advance Women’s Leadership in Private Sector
The UAE Gender Balance Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Posterity Institute to support the SDG 5 Acceleration Pledge, a national initiative launched in 2022 aimed at increasing women’s representation in leadership roles across the private sector to 30% by 2028.
As part of the partnership, both organizations will collaborate to develop a comprehensive framework that promotes gender-inclusive policies and workplace practices. They will share expertise, best practices, and co-implement joint initiatives such as training programs and leadership development opportunities for women.
The UAE Gender Balance Council and the Posterity Institute also aim to have over 30 institutions—representing 35% of companies within the Posterity Institute’s network—sign the pledge. In addition, they will work with the UAE National Competitiveness Council (NAFIS) to increase employment opportunities for Emirati women across the network.
The MoU was signed by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and Dr. Yassar Jarrar, Managing Partner at the Posterity Institute and Secretary-General of the Sustainability CEO Network, in the presence of Her Excellency Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the Council.
With this agreement, the Posterity Institute joins 71 national and international companies that have already committed to achieving 30% female representation in senior and middle management by the end of 2025. These companies span critical sectors such as aviation, healthcare, banking, consulting, oil, financial services, tourism, and media.
Mona Al Marri emphasized that the MoU reflects the Council’s commitment to enhancing women’s participation in the private sector, inspired by the vision of H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council.
“We are proud to collaborate with the Posterity Institute, a global leader in sustainability, climate tech, and economic inclusion,”
said Al Marri.
“This partnership exemplifies effective public-private collaboration, empowering institutions to attract and retain female talent and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in gender equality.”
She added that Emirati women play a key role in economic development, as reflected in the UAE’s No. 1 regional ranking and No. 7 global position in the 2024 Gender Equality Index published by the UN Development Programme.
Her Excellency Mouza Al Suwaidi noted that the agreement demonstrates rising commitment from private sector entities to foster inclusive workplaces, highlighting gender balance as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
“This collaboration will launch training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms to help women thrive in leadership roles. It will also support NAFIS’s efforts to boost Emirati women’s employment across major industries,”
she said.
Dr. Yassar Jarrar stressed that the MoU represents a critical step in national efforts to advance gender equity in leadership, underlining its importance for both social inclusion and economic innovation.
“At Posterity Institute, we see women’s inclusion as essential to building competitive and resilient businesses and societies,”
he said.
“Our goal of having 35% of our network sign the SDG 5 pledge shows our strong commitment to driving systemic change in leadership representation.”
He added that the partnership aligns with the Sustainability CEO Network’s 2030 vision of creating workplaces where success is based on merit, not gender.
“This agreement with the UAE Gender Balance Council is a step toward a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. Real sustainability must be embedded across sectors to foster innovation and inclusive growth,”
Jarrar concluded.
News Source: Emirates News Agency