Earlier this month PeopleFirst HR Consultancy attended a forum hosted by the DBWC, University of Wollongong and the UNDP addressing the gender gap in the workplace.

HE Dr Raja Al Gurg, President, DWBC, gave the opening remarks:
“The UAE is a nation committed to providing equal opportunities to enable women to play a lead role in contributing to the country’s development. It is only when the contributions of both men and women valued equally that we can achieve a brighter future, full of ideas with input from across society,”

The panellists spoke about how women can be more proactive in creating their own opportunities and encouraged women not to wait for others to set the path for their leadership.

The forum shed light on the UAE’s proven success in inclusive organisational cultures, but it also pointed to severe inequality and a pay gap within the international labour market. The World Economic Forum estimates it will take 117 years to close the gender gap, and globally women are paid 24% less than men.

Frode Mauring, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator & UNDP Resident Representative said:
“Gender equality is a human right and the world cannot afford not to get talent from 50 per cent of its population,”

From focusing on the cultural values that empower women, to advocating gender parity, and highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment in national progress, the forum called on business and society to challenge gender distinctions in every-day life.