Rise Middle East launches to boost gender diversity in broadcast technology
In line with International Women's Day (IWD), a globally recognised celebration of women's achievements and a platform for advocating gender equality, the launch aims to amplify the presence of women in the region's broadcast industry while reinforcing Rise's commitment to empowering women through mentorship, networking and career development initiatives.
Established in 2017, Rise offers a variety of programmes and initiatives designed to support and advance women in media technology. The organisation provides free membership to professionals and aspiring individuals in the field, granting access to networking events, workshops and conferences.
The Middle East Chapter of Rise will be led by Kathey Battrick, Head of Media Management and Library at Asharq News Network, and Katie Purcer Golding, Acting Chief Marketing Officer at SRMG, who will spearhead marketing and communications efforts for the initiative.
'I have admired the global work of Rise for a while, and having lived and worked in the MENA region for over five years, it was only natural to step forward and take on this role,' said Kathey Battrick. 'The initiatives in the GCC to promote women in our industry are increasing, and this chapter will serve as a catalyst for even greater progress.'
Key initiatives of Rise
Mentoring programme: A six-month global initiative offering guidance and support from industry experts.
A six-month global initiative offering guidance and support from industry experts. Rise Awards: An annual event celebrating outstanding achievements of women in the broadcast industry.
An annual event celebrating outstanding achievements of women in the broadcast industry. Rise Academy: A youth outreach program that delivers broadcast engineering and technical workshops to inspire the next generation.
A youth outreach program that delivers broadcast engineering and technical workshops to inspire the next generation. Rise AV: A new initiative launched in January 2025 to drive gender diversity in the audiovisual sector.
Expanding women's presence in media in the MENA region
Women's participation in the workforce across the region is growing at a rapid rate, with female workforce participation rates now reaching up to 50 per cent across the GCC.
Despite these gains, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, holding only about 7 per cent of board seats in GCC companies, compared to a global average of 20 per cent.
The media sector also mirrors this trend, with women comprising 40% of journalists globally but only 24 per cent of top editorial positions.
Rise's Middle East Chapter seeks to address these challenges by creating a strong network of women who can inspire, support, and collaborate with one another.
The chapter will also have a significant presence at major industry events such as the Broadcast Summit, Arab Media Forum, and CABSAT, ensuring that conversations around gender diversity remain at the forefront of industry discussions.
With the launch of its Middle East Chapter, Rise continues its mission to foster an inclusive and equitable broadcast technology sector, providing women with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
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