The UAE leads the Gulf states to represent women in the boards of directors

A report launched by the University of Heriot Watt confirmed that all the countries of the Cooperation Council witnessed an annual growth in the representation of women within the councils of public companies, with the United Arab Emirates topped by 14.8%, by 185 seats out of 1,248, compared to 10.8%in 2024, which represents an increase of 37%.

The report launched by the university in cooperation with the Aurora Agency 50 the second edition of the report “The Sexual Diversity Index in the Councils of Companies at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries” revealed a double growth in the rates of women’s representation since 2024, as the percentage of women’s representation in the boards of directors reached 6.8% in January 2025 compared to 5.2% in the previous year, equivalent to 379 seats out of 5,535 in councils of 729 public companies at a level The area.

According to the report, Bahrain came second by 8.5% (30 out of 353 seats), then the Sultanate of Oman by 6.6% (56 out of 849 seats), Kuwait by 5.5% (52 out of 946 seats), while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded 2.9% (53 out of 1,809 seats), Qatar 2.8% (13 out of 459 seats).

The report, which is an annual reference published in April of each year, indicated that these data are collected from different countries of the region, and provides an analytical tool for tracking trends, challenges and opportunities in achieving sexual balance within the boards of directors, in light of a growing commitment by public companies in the region towards comprehensive governance practices.

“When Aurora 50 was divorced in 2020 with her vision in achieving sexual balance within the boards (To 14.8%), and to reach about 7% at the region level, which highlights the impact of our collective efforts.

She added: “Tracking this progress – in gift of the Sexual Diversity Index – is a key to building a strong base of women’s talents and enhancing it at all levels. Our second report with the University of Heriot Wat Dubai helps in enhancing the sexual balance, not only in the Emirates, but in all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In line with the vision of leadership in the UAE, Aurora 50 is obligated to pave clear paths for women to reach the seats of administration councils and ensure sexual representation Balanced and multiple within our national institutions.

For its part, Professor Heather McGregor, Dean and Deputy President of Heriot University Dubai, said: “Since my transition to the United Arab Emirates in 2022, I continued my research on sexual balance within the councils of public companies’ departments, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council states. the important”.

She added: The UAE has made remarkable progress, and this represents a basic step towards achieving sexual balance within the boards of directors. In partnership with Aurora 50, I commit to tracking this transformation and providing reliable data that supports more progress.

The report of the “Sexual Diversity Index in the Councils of Companies Department in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the year 2025” is available through the website of the University of Heriot Wat Dubai, where it occurs annually until 2027, within the framework of a joint research project with Aurora 50 that aims to provide a research database, and support diversity and equality efforts in the region by publishing and analyzing data periodically.