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is female and I can see
the GCC soon following.
I don’t think anyone
can question that the
increase in female
contribution in the tech
sector is on the rise, and
rightly so.
Some of my proudest moments have
included working with small business owners,
helping them hone the skills that can truly
support their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Working on projects where biometrics made
it possible for women to claim the funds
released by government to them, and only
them, was a truly memorable moment.
I also participated in ‘Women in Payments’,
an event in Canada focused on celebrating
women’s achievements, innovation and
leadership in the payments industry.
What are some of the barriers to
women entering the tech industry?
What was your personal experience?
Women are quietly
ambitious and want to be
given the chance to lead
organisations and business
units. Opportunity and
recognition is empowering
regardless of gender but I think that having
more high-profile females in the tech sector
would give women the confidence to really
go out there and succeed. The late Zaha
Hadid, for example, was a real inspiration to
many of her generation in her field.
As a woman in the industry, what
has your experience been working
in the sector? If you have worked in
markets outside the GCC, how does
your experience there compare
with what you’ve experienced in
other markets?
I have worked in both North America and in
the GCC and while it isn’t unusual to be in
meetings with women, hardly any of them
are in leading positions within central banks.
That is why I find Sudan and Egypt as great
examples of countries where women are
holding c-level positions. In North America
there are multiple initiatives where women
are encouraging and inspiring other women
and that is amazing to see. The GCC as a
whole is also leading the way with gender
parity at the top of governmental agendas
across the region.
What is the biggest challenge
women in the sector face in GCC
countries? How can these challenges
be addressed?
We are lucky in the GCC for the support
system that allows us to focus on our work.
However, as women with busy careers, we
have to accept that it is not unusual to feel
pulled in two different directions – family
and work – and this can be testing. Both
‘jobs’ are as important as one another, and
the biggest challenge is about finding a
balance that allows us to succeed at both.
I believe we need to support each other
in our quest to work on ourselves and seek
guidance from mentors who have already
been on the same journey – those who will
inspire us, support us and encourage us to do
the same as we move forwards. n
I think the key barrier is confidence. While
women may have access to the same
education as their male counterparts and
should be beginning their career from the
same starting point, it does not always seem
to be the case. I think many feel less entitled
or worthy and this is what must change.
However, I do think we are making progress
now and slowly but surely women are
feeling more empowered both in and out
of the workplace. One country that always
impresses me when I visit, is Sudan – it is
refreshing to see the number of women
working there in leadership positions in
government and financial institutions.
With diversity increasing in the
tech sector, what do you think is
driving this?
I agree that diversity in the tech sector in the
GCC is increasing. I used to work in Canada
where 67% of the financial sector workforce
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