Abu Dhabi: E& recently completed its inaugural ‘Women in Leadership’ program, in a strong display of commitment towards gender diversity and sustainable business practices, in partnership with Nokia and with the support of UN Women. As part of the collaborative efforts between Nokia and UN Women, the program aims to empower women and promote their leadership roles.
The closing event at e&’s Open Innovation Centre in Dubai marked a significant milestone as the first in-person ceremony for Nokia’s training programme in the Middle East. The event included 20 participants and 14 panellists to wrap up the program with presentations, pitches and discussion.
The ‘Women in Leadership’ program is designed to increase the number of women in decision-making roles within the tech sector and integrate gender-balanced approaches to innovative business opportunities and technology solutions. The program aligns with the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, of which both e& and Nokia are signatories, with the goal to empower women to pursue leadership roles and contribute to a better future for all.
Ms. Dena Al Mansoori, Group Chief HR Officer, e& stated that, “A year ago, we launched the Women in Leadership program with Nokia and UN Women fueled by an unwavering belief that collectively, we can make real meaningful change. Today, I’m inspired by the remarkable ideas and solutions generated by our participants all determined to leave a positive impact on our communities. We are proud to be able to shape a different narrative, break barriers, and forge a path for women in tech where a more inclusive leadership can thrive.”
During the six-month program, participants tackled four essential challenges pertaining to the ICT sector. These challenges included promoting eco-friendly options in the UAE, ensuring data transparency, managing energy consumption for e& subscribers, and addressing barriers to women in the tech industry.
The module journey of the program supported the participants in choosing their challenges that focused on ESG, inclusion and diversity, partnering to work beyond borders and creating
innovative business solutions. The challenge winners presented ground-breaking design concepts and prototypes, receiving well-deserved recognition for their innovative ideas at the closing event.
The successful conclusion of the ‘Women in Leadership’ program represents a pivotal moment in fostering gender equity in the tech industry. By breaking barriers, forging new paths, and empowering inclusive leadership, e& and its partners continue to make significant strides towards creating a more diverse and prosperous future for all.