Emirati Women’s Day Celebrated with Insightful Discussions on Financial Independence and ESG Investing

Empowerment and Progress at the Dusit Thani

Dubai, 26th August 2024 – The Dusit Thani, Dubai was abuzz today with the spirit of empowerment and progress as APM Capital hosted its Women in Finance panel in honour of Emirati Women’s Day. The half-day event brought together industry leaders, financial experts, and change-makers to explore the significant contributions of women in finance and the emerging opportunities in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing.

APM Capital’s Commitment to Female Empowerment

The event began with a warm welcome from APM Capital’s Executive Director, Disha Rajdev, who underscored the company’s commitment to fostering financial literacy and empowerment for women across the region. She highlighted APM’s dedication to education and championing initiatives that uplift women, reflecting the company’s values and mission. APM Capital, with a board comprising more than 60% women and a workforce that is 50% female, set a powerful example of gender equality in the financial sector.

Panel 1: Pathways and Challenges for Financial Independence for Women in the Middle East

The first panel discussion, moderated by Alexandra Reyes, focused on the pathways and challenges for achieving financial independence among women in the Middle East. The speakers provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and the strides that have been made, while also acknowledging the obstacles that still need to be addressed.

Financial Literacy and Access to Services

Natalia Ishchenko, Founder and CEO of FlyInvest, opened the discussion by presenting data on financial literacy among women in the MENA region. She pointed out that while financial literacy levels are on par with global figures, they remain lower than those of men. Ishchenko emphasized the importance of UAE’s Vision 2030, which focuses on the empowerment of women, yet noted the disparity in access to financial services, with only 50% of women in the region having bank accounts.

Advancing Financial Education and Entrepreneurship

Dagmar Turkova, Co-Founder and COO of Inova Global Solutions, highlighted the significant improvements in financial literacy compared to previous years but stressed that there is still much work to be done. She spoke about the traditional gender roles that hinder women’s financial education and the need for more inclusive programs, especially in rural areas. Turkova also advocated for greater support for female entrepreneurs, which could significantly boost the local economy by aligning the number of women-led businesses with global averages.

Cultural Perspectives and Inclusive Policies

Chartered Financial Adviser Umarrah Shafiq closed the session with a cultural perspective, discussing how women are often overlooked in financial literacy education. She called for more gender-inclusive policies, particularly around maternity leave, and stressed the importance of mentorship and female role models in breaking down these barriers.

Panel 2: ESG Investing Opportunities for Women in the Middle East

The second panel, moderated by Maria Flouda, delved into ESG investing, a growing field that presents unique opportunities for women in the Middle East. The panellists explored how women can contribute to and benefit from the sustainability mandate through ESG.

Sustainability and ESG in Business Practices

Katy Holmes, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai, discussed the role of ESG in fostering sustainable business practices and the importance of accessibility to these initiatives. She shared her experiences with the BCCD Green Initiative and the need to engage stakeholders across sectors to promote sustainability.

Education and Executive Leadership in ESG

Nada Sayarh, Head of ESG at SP Jain School of Global Management, brought an academic perspective to the discussion, noting the growing awareness of ESG principles in the region. She emphasized the importance of embedding ESG into educational curricula and the need for more women to pursue executive MBAs.

Cultural Nuances and the Future of ESG Investing

Tola Denloye, a Financial Regulation and Governance professional, concluded the panel by discussing the cultural nuances that influence ESG investing decisions. She highlighted how female-led investment funds often outperform male-led ones, citing studies that attribute this to women’s long-term, sustainability-focused approach to investing.

Conclusion: A Call for Continued Progress

The event concluded with a consensus among the panelists on the crucial role of education, mentorship, and networking in advancing women’s financial literacy and participation in the economy. As the discussions revealed, while significant progress has been made, there remains a considerable journey ahead to achieve true financial independence and equal opportunities for women in the Middle East.

APM Capital’s Role in Promoting Gender Equality in Finance

APM Capital’s Women in Finance panel not only celebrated the achievements of Emirati women but also set the stage for ongoing dialogue and action towards a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape.