On the first day of the World Women Forum - Dubai 2024, a session titled “Next-Generation Workspaces: Shaping the Future of Human Talent” was held, featuring Eman Al-Qassem, Vice President of Human Resources at Emirates Global Aluminium, and moderated by Nancy Bahmad from Forbes Middle East.
Emirates Global Aluminium’s Strategy for Gender Diversity
During the session, Eman Al-Qassem highlighted the company’s strategy to increase women’s representation in leadership positions. The company aims to have 25% of its employees in senior roles be women by 2025, and 15% of its overall workforce to be women by 2026.
Al-Qassem emphasized the encouraging trend of more companies leading the way in gender diversity across industries, particularly in the industrial sector. She also praised the UAE’s efforts in supporting these transformations, noting that Emirates Global Aluminium has a strong, comprehensive strategy for gender balance and diversity.
Women Employment and Diversity at Emirates Global Aluminium
Al-Qassem pointed out that the company has employed over 200 women in recent years as part of its ongoing efforts to achieve its diversity goals. The company continues to hire more women every year to meet this target. She explained that the company’s participation in the World Women Forum aims to share their experience with others, as they have launched over 17 initiatives targeting various areas within the company, from cultural transformation to empowering women’s employment.
Message to Young Leaders and Ambitious Women in Traditional Industries
In her message to young leaders, especially women striving to drive change in traditional industries, Al-Qassem stressed the importance of patience and consistent effort. She emphasized that change does not happen overnight but rather through every meeting and interaction, which helps push things forward. Over time, significant achievements will be made.
She also stated that Emirates Global Aluminium highlights the importance of combining ambition, hard work, and belief in change as tools for success in the modern workplace.
The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace
Al-Qassem reiterated that workplace diversity is not only a strategic priority for Emirates Global Aluminium but is also crucial in creating an inclusive work environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Achieving gender balance, she noted, greatly contributes to improving the overall performance of the company and reflects its commitment to the UAE’s vision of true gender equality across all sectors.
Through the “Next-Generation Workspaces” session, the World Women Forum emphasized the significance of diversity and inclusion strategies in shaping the future of human talent. Emirates Global Aluminium stands as a living example of how gender diversity can be integrated into business strategies, fostering positive change and innovation across different industries.
