Abu Dhabi: The participation of women in the workforce has increased to 34.6 percent in 2024, up from 32.5 percent in 2023, according to a report by the Emirates Businesswomen Council.
The report also reveals that women now make up 18 percent of all entrepreneurs in the UAE, with 77.6 percent of women-owned businesses being led by women under the age of forty, highlighting their vital role in driving the national economy forward.
Furthermore, the report indicates that 48.8 percent of these women hold executive-director positions, and 61.4 percent own their businesses outright, underscoring a notable rise in female entrepreneurship in the country.
Contributing notably to the national economy and delivering innovative community solutions, businesswomen in the UAE are making significant strides. Recent years have seen a steady rise in the number of businesswomen and their economic impact, driven by strong government and societal support. This trend has bolstered the UAE’s reputation as a global leader in women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.
The first half of 2024 saw over 2,000 new businesses established by Emirati women, accounting for approximately 22 percent of all new business registrations in the UAE during this period.
Innovation and technology are at the forefront of these entrepreneurial efforts. A group of businesswomen has launched a pioneering digital platform that provides consulting and financing services for women-led projects, leveraging artificial intelligence for data analysis and recommendations. Additionally, a new smart application has been introduced to support the management of small and medium-sized enterprises, offering comprehensive solutions for digital marketing and human resource management.
The report also highlights the success of businesswomen in launching projects focused on renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Noteworthy initiatives include solar energy production from residential and commercial rooftops, the establishment of a startup specializing in remote healthcare services using virtual reality technology with a significant investment of AED 200 million ($54 million), and the launch of an eCommerce platform connecting local artisans and designers with the global market, which generated revenues exceeding AED 150 million ($41 million) in its first year.
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