DUBAI – Financial independence is the key motivation for starting a business, according to 57 percent of the MENA region's working women surveyed online by Yougov and Bayt.com. The accomplishments of the region's women are at the heart of major changes in the GCC financial landscape. With a wealth of $40 billion, female investors are forging a new identity which focuses on financial and social independence. These efforts will be recognized at the upcoming Women in Leadership (WIL) Achievement Awards Middle East to be presented by Guest of Honor Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, wife of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Vice Chairperson and Secretary General of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation. The awards honor exceptional individuals and organizations from different sectors. Categories include Leading Businesswoman of the Year, Most Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year, Most Women-Friendly Employer, Male Champion of Change and Leading Woman in Public Sector. A judging panel of five renowned industry leaders will assess all nominations and select the winners in each category. The ceremony forms part of the Women in Leadership Forum Middle East and Africa, held under the endorsement of Dr Maitha' Salem Al-Shamsi, UAE Minister of State. Organized by French business information company naseba, the two-day initiative is taking place on Nov, 21-22 at The Westin Hotel, Dubai. It will be attended by distinguished businesswomen and leaders from all over the world, as well as guests from the UAE and the Middle East region. Princess Ameerah is pleased to be part of this platform that matches many of Alwaleed Foundations' projects that aim to empower women across the globe. Alwaleed Foundation's Women Empowerment Initiative aims to support the greatest number of institutions that are active in raising awareness of women's legal rights and supports vocational training programs for aspiring career women across various fields, as well as helping women with limited income learn to design artifacts. It also honors women leaders, featuring their success stories with an aim to build role models for the youth. “We are honored to receive the support of Princess Ameerah and the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, as both have played a crucial role in the empowerment and development of women leaders – both regionally and globally,” said Sophie Le Ray, CEO of naseba. The list of speakers includes Fatima Al-Jaber, Chief Operating Officer of Al-Jaber Group; Donna Sultan, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar's KEO International Consultants; Mona Almoayyed, Managing Director of Bahrain's YK Almoayyed & Sons; Eissa Al-Mulla, Executive Director of Emirates Nationals Development Program; and Moza Saeed Al-Otaiba, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Al OtaibaInma'a Group. – SG
