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Between initiatives that provide ready-to-use facilities for women-led projects, and others that adopt the creative ideas of entrepreneurs and offer them training, guidance, and opportunities and from projects that have enabled women to enter the world of business with confidence and achieve sustainable growth, to achievements that have strengthened women’s presence in economic sectors and expanded their contribution to development the journey of the Sharjah Business Women Council continues as an enabling platform that creates impact, transforms ambition into real opportunities, and supports women entrepreneurs to be active partners in the local and national economy, contributing to driving forward the comprehensive and sustainable economic development process.
These efforts constitute an integral part of the global achievements made by the United Arab Emirates in the field of justice and equal opportunities, with the country advancing to seventh place globally and retaining first place regionally in the Gender Equality Index 2024, issued by the United Nations Development Programme.
In light of the governmental and institutional support represented by the UAE’s business councils, particularly the Sharjah Business Women Council, the number of women entrepreneurs and their economic contributions have witnessed significant growth, strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading destination for empowering women and supporting their entrepreneurship in the business sector.
A report issued by the UAE Business Women Councils indicates that the participation rate of women in the workforce rose to 34.6% in 2024, compared to 32.5% in 2023, with businesswomen constituting 18% of the total number of entrepreneurs in the UAE, and 77.6% of women-owned businesses in the country led by women under the age of forty.
The report shows that 48.8% of these women hold executive director positions, and 61.4% of them own their businesses individually, reflecting a marked increase in women’s entrepreneurship. The first half of the current year saw the registration of more than 2,000 new companies established by Emirati businesswomen, representing roughly 22% of all new companies registered in the country.
These statistics clearly demonstrate the growing role of women in the national economy and reflect the Council’s vision of supporting women and enabling them to transform their ideas into successful ventures. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation also stated that women’s participation in the UAE labour market recorded 16% growth during the first ten months of this year.
The Council is committed to strengthening local and international partnerships with the aim of helping women entrepreneurs access new markets, believing in the importance of cooperation and integration in achieving qualitative transformations within the national economy—particularly with institutions that share similar objectives at the local and European levels, especially the European Women’s Association, within the Second Sharjah–Europe Business Women Forum, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
The Council’s strategy contributes to expanding the share of businesswomen in the economy of the UAE and the wider region, constituting an important step towards advancing the local economy and supporting its various sectors. The Council also strives to open new horizons for cooperation and joint work with counterpart institutions around the world, embodying its vision of representing Sharjah and the UAE in international forums.
According to the report “Women-Owned Businesses in the United Arab Emirates: A Golden Opportunity” (2022), issued by UN Women in cooperation with NAMA Women Advancement, the Sharjah Business Women Council is keen to support women entrepreneurs. Since its establishment, the Council has launched a number of financing and training initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities of businesswomen in Sharjah and across the UAE, including the Anwan Market initiative, which provides small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the UAE with the opportunity to grow their projects by renting shops and offices within the market and receiving training and guidance. Another initiative is Jeel, launched in cooperation with Education for Employment, to support the innovative ideas of entrepreneurs.
The Council has also provided the One-Stop Shop service to simplify the process of obtaining permits, visas, and licences from the Sharjah Economic Development Department, in addition to launching the Sharjah Business Women Council mobile application, as well as signing numerous partnerships with various government entities and participating in regional and international conferences. In 2022, the Council doubled its membership to 2,246.
Among the living examples of women-led projects that have achieved success and contributed to strengthening the local economy—thanks to the Council’s support—is Sedra Spa, the ideal haven and leading destination in Sharjah for relaxation, wellness, and rejuvenation. Aisha Al Mansoori took part in its founding, combining her extensive expertise and academic knowledge from her MBA studies to launch a project that reflects her vision and the quality she takes pride in offering.
The success stories also include Khyal Boutique, founded by Sara Al Awadhi as an Emirati brand and a key supplier of chocolate for weddings and joyful occasions in Sharjah and across the UAE, delivering the finest and most delightful products thanks to the passion of its founder and her excellence in selecting chocolate. Another example is The Bloom Room, established by Meera Al Rassasi, who transformed her passion for flowers and gift wrapping into a thriving business in Sharjah.
These projects represent just a few of the hundreds of success stories that make up the legacy of the Sharjah Business Women Council. These indicators reaffirm the Council’s vision of supporting Emirati women and enabling them to play their role as key partners in comprehensive and sustainable economic development. They also constitute an open invitation to all women to join the Council and benefit from its programmes to achieve excellence and leadership in the world of business.
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