The UAE Dominates 80% of the Best Companies for Women in the Gulf

In a move reflecting the UAE’s serious commitment to enhancing the status of women in the workplace, Avatar Group announced the second edition of the Best Companies for Women in the Gulf (BCWG) list, launched in collaboration with Ceramount. The list highlights successful institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that adopt workplace policies ensuring diversity and inclusivity, with the UAE dominating 80% of the top companies for women in the region.

Launch of the BCWG 2025 List

The BCWG 2025 list was announced during the “Best of the Best” (BOB) conference held in Dubai. The conference saw widespread participation from leading companies in the region, including prominent speakers from well-known firms such as Al Shirawi Facility Management, Diversey Solutions, and Emirates Dukhoon. During the event, the top 10 companies for women in the Gulf were revealed, showing that 80% of these companies have their headquarters in the UAE, while the remaining 20% are based in Saudi Arabia.

Study Results and Their Impact

The study also revealed a range of key findings, with women’s representation in the best companies reaching 33%, and women accounting for up to 42% of all appointments in these companies. Additionally, 28% of women working in these companies received promotions, with this figure rising to 34% among the top 10 companies. The results also confirmed that 95% of the companies provide leadership training, which enhances the professional development of women.

Companies’ Commitment to Promoting Diversity

Notably, 63% of the best companies have resource groups supporting female employees, enhancing their participation in work environments. Furthermore, 63% of companies consider performance evaluations during paid maternity leave, and 95% offer programs that promote a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and equality. This effective commitment from UAE institutions indicates that the professional climate is beginning to witness a positive shift towards greater diversity and inclusivity, marking a significant achievement for these companies.

Leaders’ Opinions on the Report

Commenting on the study results, Dr. Soundarya Rajesh, Founder and Chair of Avatar Group, stated, “We are proud to see an increasing commitment to integrating women into workplaces. The best companies adopt a comprehensive inclusive framework to ensure that women’s advancement is prioritized as a strategic growth imperative.” Meanwhile, Ms. Subha F. Parry, Chair of Ceramount, added, “The tangible steps taken by companies this year reflect a genuine commitment to supporting women in the workplace and achieving equity.”

In this way, the UAE continues to dominate 80% of the best companies for women in the Gulf, reflecting significant growth in supportive work environments for both genders.

Top 10 Companies in the Gulf for 2025

• Al-Mousa Projects – Car Rental Division (Thrifty and Dollar)
• Al Shirawi Facility Management LLC
• Diversey Solutions
• Emirates Dukhoon
• Aisa Saleh Al Quraq Group
• Ecolab
• EY
• Finastra Limited – UK
• Kon Middle East Limited
• Troucker

Additionally, nine other companies joined the list, including: Apparel Group, Beit Steps, Canon Middle East, CBRE Consulting Services, GIG Gulf Insurance, House of Shipping Management Consulting, Ingram Micro Company, MCA Management Consulting and Auditing, and Wipro Limited.