NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA), dedicated to supporting and empowering women and girls, is celebrating six years of striving to help the next generation reach their full potential.

With a strong focus on uplifting and supporting women, NAMA has established a distinctive presence in its efforts to empower and advocate for gender equality.

NAMA has provided social, economic, and professional support to more than 2,700 women in 2022 alone, helping them to achieve their goals.

Six specialised programmes were launched this year across the globe – in Angola, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, and the UAE -- to support young girls and adult women.

The organisation’s devotion to women's affairs continued as NAMA teamed up with the University of Sharjah to award seven research grants to female students and faculty members in STEM, social sciences, and business. These grants provide opportunities for these women to continue their education and develop their research skills, setting them up for future success in their respective fields.

Founded by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and under the directives of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, NAMA’s initiatives are designed and implemented in partnership with local and global entities.

Through its three affiliates, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council (Irthi), and Badiri Education and Development Academy (Badiri), the organisation is making a real difference in the lives of women and girls around the world.

Collaborating to Advance Gender Equality In collaboration with the Irtiqa platform, launched by NAMA in 2019 to bring businesses together to adopt gender mainstreaming practices, promoting gender equity and increasing the understanding of the business and social value of including women in the economy, NAMA hosted three workshops in the UAE addressing different aspects of women’s inclusion in the workplace.

These workshops provided a platform for businesses to exchange ideas and learn from each other how to make gender equality a strategic priority, how HR can promote gender-inclusive practices in the workplace, and how CSR can advance women’s empowerment in society. The workshops were attended by more than 35 entities from various sectors of the business community and planned with the help of strategic partners PricewaterhouseCoopers and Accenture.

To help advance gender equality at Sharjah Media City (SHAMS), NAMA provided customised support and advice on making the workplace more gender inclusive. NAMA also hosted two networking events for private sector representatives and stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for women’s inclusion in the private sector.

The events were attended by more than 80 representatives from the private sector and provided a space for productive discussions on advancing gender equality in the workplace.

Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, said, “At NAMA, we are dedicated to empowering and uplifting women through various initiatives and programmes focusing on education, career development, and leadership skills.”

She added, “NAMA will continue its commitment to gender equality and women's advancement. We recognise women’s unique challenges and barriers in the workplace and their personal lives and are committed to addressing these issues through our programmes and initiatives.”

NAMA aims to support enabling environments to inculcate inclusive growth and development for women worldwide.