UAE to Enforce Women on Private Company Boards from 2025

Who run the boardroom? Girls!

The UAE Ministry of Economy has announced a groundbreaking initiative to boost gender diversity in the corporate sector.

Starting January 2025, private joint-stock companies will be required to reserve at least one seat on their boards of directors for women.

Here’s everything to know…

This new directive is part of a broader effort to increase women's participation in leadership roles across various sectors in the UAE outside of publicly listed companies.

The Ministry has urged companies to factor this requirement into their board restructuring plans as current board terms come to an end and by 2025 - this needs to be in effect.

How the UAE is enhancing women’s roles in leadership

This decision aligns with the UAE’s vision of creating a more inclusive business environment with women to play a key role in driving economic development.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy shared that women's participation will not only enhance the institutional performance of private companies but also contribute to the UAE's global competitiveness.

The initiative is part of a wider plan to increase the percentage of women in leadership positions to 30% by 2025.

How will this impact the Dubai property market?

The property market in Dubai is likely to see a positive impact from this initiative.

With more women taking on leadership roles in private joint-stock companies, including those involved in real estate, we can expect to see a more inclusive approach to business strategies and decision-making.

The unique perspectives that women bring to leadership will likely lead to innovative developments, more customer-centric services, and potentially even shifts in market trends that prioritise sustainability and community-building.

Plus, with more women in powerful roles, the more female investors we can expect to see across the property market too!

Now, isn’t that an impressive change?

Thinking about expanding your business in Dubai, or planning to relocate? You could drop our in-house commercial team a line!