Economic Drivers: UAE Women in the Workforce

February 10, 2026

In anticipation of our upcoming International Business Conference in the UAE in April 2026, the FWA is exploring the structural shifts driving gender parity in the region. From parliamentary representation to corporate governance, women are at the forefront of the UAE’s strategic growth. This four-part series provides an essential briefing on the economic and political influence of women in the UAE today, offering a preview of the landscape our attendees will experience firsthand.

The UAE is often recognized for its rapid growth, innovation, and global influence - but what’s less widely known is the powerful role women play in driving that success.


Today, women make up a significant and growing share of the UAE’s workforce, representing approximately 34.6% of the national workforce and nearly 45% of skilled professionals. Their presence in leadership is accelerating as well, with the number of women in leadership roles increasing by nearly 34% in the past year alone.


From boardrooms to innovation hubs, their influence is both visible and expanding - challenging assumptions and redefining what leadership looks like in the region.

The Financial Women’s Association invites you to see this momentum firsthand at our International Business Conference in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, April 2026. Gain a deeper understanding of the region’s business landscape, connect with global leaders, and experience how women are helping fuel growth in one of the world’s most strategically important markets.

Register by March 1 to lock in preferred rates ($2000 members | $2500 non-members). After this date, registration fees increase to $2500 for members and $3000 for non-members.


Questions? Reach out to [email protected] for more information. 


This trip marks the FWA’s return to the UAE following our landmark 2012 delegation. Fourteen years later, we revisit a nation that has transformed its economy and deepened its global influence, offering fresh opportunities for dialogue, connection, and collaboration.

The UAE Political Landscape: 50% in Parliament

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Seventy Years Forward: How the Financial Women’s Association Built a Community That Changes Lives

January 28, 2026
by Robert Brown January is National Mentoring Month. In 2026, it also marks a defining moment for the Financial Women’s Association as we celebrate 70 years of advancing women in finance. This milestone matters now. As organizations across industries rethink development, mentorship, and long-term investment in people, FWA stands firm in what has always worked: human connection, shared knowledge, and women lifting one another forward.  For seven decades, FWA has done more than convene women in finance. It has built a community rooted in mentorship, access, and action. Progress here has never been accidental. It has always been intentional. It happens because women, and male allies choose to show up for one another. As current FWA President Albana Theka reminds us, “Mentorship isn’t about who’s ahead of you. It’s about who sees you, and who helps you see yourself.” That belief has shaped FWA from the beginning and continues to guide where we are headed next.

How Mentorship Helped Shape Simran Hassan’s Future in Finance

January 14, 2026
Some students enter college unsure of where they are headed. Others, like Baruch College senior and Finance major Simran Hassan, arrive with ambition and quickly realize how much more there is to learn. For Simran, the finance world felt exciting but intimidating. Competitive. Fast paced. Male dominated. She knew she wanted a seat at the table, but finding her voice took time and support. That support came through the Financial Women’s Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program , which Simran describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her college career. Before joining, she admits the industry felt overwhelming. “Before joining the program, the finance industry and its obvious male dominated environment felt quite daunting to me,” she shared. “But through FWA, I discovered the network of incredible women that exists within Baruch and across the industry. The program, and especially my mentor, gave me the confidence to speak my mind and seek resources that will help me succeed.”

With Gratitude for the Global Perspectives That Strengthen Our FWA Community

November 24, 2025
Recently, our members had the honor of meeting Army General François Lecointre, Grand Chancellor of the Order of the Legion of Honour. An institution Napoleon Bonaparte founded in 1802. General Lecointre brought the Order’s legacy to life, sharing its mission and new efforts to digitize centuries of archives. Did you know? The Legion of Honour also established an all-girls boarding school for descendants of honorees — a lasting investment in education and equality. The event also reunited members of our Paris International Business Conference delegation, a reminder that our global exchanges continue well beyond the trip through shared learning, cultural understanding, and lifelong connections. Thank you to Banque Transatlantique for hosting and to General Lecointre for sharing his insights and time.
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