Women hold just 11% of UAE board seats: Why gender gap remains in leadership roles

Khaleej Times

09-03-2025

Female representation in tech leadership remains low in the UAE, with women holding only 11 per cent of board positions. Despite a 900 per cent increase in GenAI course enrollments, a significant gender gap persists in tech leadership, according to a new study.
That's according to Coursera's 'Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills' playbook, a new resource aimed at addressing the gender gap in Generative AI (GenAI) skills.
The study also revealed that women account for 23.8 per cent of GenAI learners in the UAE. While this reflects ongoing efforts to boost female participation in STEM, it also underscores the continued gender gap in the field. Experts further emphasise that limited workplace flexibility makes maintaining a healthy work-life balance difficult.
Female founders get less funding
Katy Holmes, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD), said, 'It is widely known that there is a huge disparity in investment in female-led businesses, which in itself will be a dissuade. Only 2-3 per cent of total venture capital goes to female founders. Even when female founders do secure funding, it is significantly lower—as much as 30-50 pe cent lower than their male counterparts and yet research shows female-led companies perform as well if not better than male-led businesses."
Professionals highlight that female STEM teachers will naturally appeal and attract more engaged female students who go on to tech careers.
'Outside of school, e-sports is having a positive impact and encouraging more women into tech as early interest and adoption will build confidence, critical thinking and interest programming and therefore open up the idea of a career in technology.'
They explained that this will organically attract a younger female audience and generate curious students. 'This is not a standalone solution but will probably have great influence."
'Traditionally, CTOs and CIOs are very male-dominated; studies estimate that women hold about 10-12 per cent of these positions. Companies should focus on their pipeline from as early as the graduate programs, and it will probably take a slight correction and hiring strategy that is biased toward women with coaching from great mentors in the field to spark an interest and sponsor them through the company,' added Holmes.
Lack of flexibility in work environments
Professionals also explained that the barriers to women's advancement in STEM are multifaceted from an academic perspective.
Prof Swarnalatha Rajaguru, Associate Dean for Admissions and Marketing, BITS Pilani Dubai, said, 'Historically, women have been underrepresented in these fields, and this underrepresentation has, unfortunately, been normalised over time.'
She highlighted that, as a result, men often hold leadership positions by default. 'Women face the additional challenge of balancing both competence and likability, a pressure not typically placed on their male counterparts. Moreover, the lack of flexibility in work environments makes it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Women are frequently judged based on their caregiving responsibilities, such as raising children, which can further hinder career progression,' added Rajaguru.
Teach modern leadership principles
They suggest researching gender disparities can drive informed policy changes, ensuring a more equitable future in STEM.
Dr Rita Zgheib, Assistant Professor Computer Science, School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, Canadian University Dubai said, 'Perceptions like certain leadership traits are inherently male can result in fewer women being considered for executive roles. Despite recognising that women can often perform better and exhibit higher levels of professionalism, some still hold the belief that leadership should be male-dominated due to men's ability to work long hours or their assertive nature and assuming that women's family responsibilities prevent them from excelling in executive positions.'
Educators stressed that varsities should teach modern leadership principles, focusing on empathy, adaptability, innovation, and inclusive decision-making rather than the outdated notion that ruling with authority equates to leadership success.
Therefore, increasing female enrolment in STEM programs through outreach initiatives, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities becomes imperative.
'Universities play a pivotal role in shaping future tech leaders by prioritising expertise, professionalism, and quality over outdated notions that leadership belongs to those who can work long hours or simply command authority. True leadership is about vision, strategic thinking, and empowering others,' added Zgheib.
Therefore, a diverse and inclusive tech workforce is essential for driving innovation, especially in traditionally male-dominated fields like AI.
Dr Alexandra Urban, Learning Science Research Lead at Coursera, said, 'While progress is evident, expanding opportunities for women in GenAI, equipping them with critical skills, and empowering them to lead in the digital economy remains an urgent priority.'