Page 73 - Aamir Rehman - Dubai & Co Global Strategies for Doing Business in the Gulf States-McGraw-Hill (2007)

Think Again: Addressing Misconceptions about the GCC 57

Like women everywhere, GCC women look to strike a balance
between their careers and their families. Having earned their
degrees and developed their skills, these women are keen to con-
tribute to the world outside the home and will seek challenging and
fulfilling professional opportunities.
Far-sighted multinationals will recognize this fundamental
trend and actively recruit female GCC nationals. These young
women will be drawn to firms that provide a chance to grow, to
make a difference, and to progress in the organization. Like women
(and men) everywhere, they will prefer firms that honor their com-
mitments to both family and work and will gravitate toward
nondiscriminatory environments. Multinationals with experience
recruiting, developing, and managing female executives world-
wide should draw on this experience and apply the relevant best
practices to help them tap into this promising and growing segment
of professional talent.

WOMEN IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP

Historically, it has been rare to see GCC women in positions of lead-
ership in the corporate and government spheres. This is changing
rapidly, however, and more women are emerging at the forefront of
GCC institutions.

Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi: Woman Steering the Economy
One key female leader in the GCC is Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi, the
UAE’s minister of economy. Sheikha Lubna, a member of the
Sharjah royal family, is the most senior female government minister
in the history of the UAE. Educated in the United States, she has a
strong background in technology management and business lead-
ership. Her position is an example of the importance of family ties
in driving social change, it was her uncle, the ruler of the Sharjah
Emirate within the UAE, who supported her all along and encour-
aged her to complete her education. The fact that Sharjah, one of the
UAE’s most socially conservative emirates, is Sheikha Lubna’s
home is an important sign that even traditional societies have
begun to understand that they can benefit from the advancement of
women to positions of leadership and authority.