Rarely do women make headlines in the Middle East for a good reason. All that is about to change! For the very first time ever, this year’s Forbes Middle East ranking includes accomplished women who occupy the most senior positions in the corporate world. This coveted (and surprising!) list includes women from all walks of life - from family business and government, to top C-level executives in the corporate sphere. The move to include women in Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council (we said surprising!) also allowed strong Saudi government representation.
In a region sometimes seen by the outside world as one which faces significant women’s rights challenges, to have not just one, but ten women rank alongside the most powerful sheiks, royalty and CEOs the region has to offer is a spectacular feat. Judged on their degree of power, years of experience, media interaction, number of employees and international presence, these women are a force to be reckoned with as they take the reins to guide this great region into the future.
How did these amazing women get to Forbes illustrious pages? When a mere 32% of the MENA workforce is female, who are the rare women breaking through the glass ceiling to reach the top of the proverbial corporate ladder?
Strikingly, all top ten women on the list are from GCC countries. Was it wealth? Or was it simply hard work, dedication and a drive to succeed - just like almost every other male CEO out there?
Decide for yourself, as we shine a spotlight on the most powerful women in the Middle East and find out how they have risen higher than the Burj Khalifa itself. Women on top: Forbes finds the Middle East's most leading women!
