NAMA Talks strengthens women’s role in shaping financial stability

As Emirati women take on a growing role in the UAE’s economy, their impact is increasingly visible in business and finance.

By 2024, women made up 46 per cent of the workforce in the UAE and owned more than 135,000 commercial licences, representing a 23 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Their expanding presence underscores the importance of equipping women with financial and economic awareness, empowering them to make informed decisions that protect their interests and support long-term stability.

In response to this, NAMA Women Advancement launched the first two sessions of its NAMA Talks series under the theme ‘Empowering Women through Financial Risk: Awareness and Understanding’, held in Sharjah city and Khorfakkan.

Women left NAMA’s latest financial risk awareness session noting that it helped them understand financial concepts and build confidence through open discussions on how to avoid fraud and debt.

The session highlighted several essential practices, such as documenting all financial transactions, reading contracts thoroughly before signing, and being cautious with general powers of attorney. It also emphasised the importance of dealing exclusively with trusted entities, and reporting financial fraud promptly.

One participant shared “What benefitted me the most was learning which authorities I can contact in case of fraud or if I need legal advice.”

Participants praised the session or its unique blend of legal insight and financial education. The discussion was led by Judge Dr. Salama Rashid Al Ketbi, Head of the Judicial Inspection Department at the Sharjah Judicial Department, who presented real life cases related to financial rights and disputes.

Another participant noted, “Seeing real-life examples made the legal concepts much easier to understand and apply in real life.”

To ensure lasting impact, attendees also received a digital guide titled “Protect Yourself Financially”, which includes actionable steps for managing financial risk, along with a list of official entities to contact for support.

NAMA continues to emphasise that true empowerment begins with awareness. A woman who is informed both financially and legally is better positioned to safeguard her assets and make decisions that reinforce her individual and household stability. This approach is supported by global data. A study by McKinsey & Company found that increased financial awareness and access to direct advice enabled women to control 30 per cent of the total funds held in banks and financial institutions across Europe and the United States, a number projected to reach 45 per cent by 2030.

The session on financial risk is part of a larger five-session series under the NAMA Talks initiative, which will focus on three core themes: financial risk awareness, careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and income generation using artificial intelligence (AI). These themes reflect NAMA’s strategic vision to cultivate a community of informed, empowered women who actively contribute to shaping inclusive economic and social development.

Meanwhile last week Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director-General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, announced some impressive statistics about property ownership among Emirati women. From the start of the year until August 21, 2023, women owned 3,322 properties, which is about 11.8 per cent of all registered properties in Sharjah.

In total, there are 3,586 women who own property, making up 17.7 per cent of all property owners in the emirate. The total value of property transactions involving these women reached a staggering Dhs2.7 billion.

Al Shamsi also shared that as of August 21, Emirati women own a total of 30,662 properties, which represents 15.5 per cent of all properties in Sharjah. These properties are registered under 27,425 women, accounting for 21.2 per cent of all property owners in the area, with a combined trading volume of Dhs45.2 billion. This underscores the significant role that women play in the real estate market.

He stressed that the remarkable results seen in the Sharjah real estate market during the first seven months of 2025 reflect its vibrancy and ongoing progress. He shared that the market has seen substantial growth, with property transactions amounting to Dhs34.5 billion in the same period this year-an impressive jump compared to last year. This shows that the market is thriving and indicates continued growth ahead.”

Meanwhile the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s (ADDED) arm to develop and regulate the business sector, has announced the issuance of 5,930 new economic licences to Emirati women entrepreneurs in a year, reaching 21,115 licences by end of June 2025, showcasing the effectiveness of initiatives to empower UAE women.

The increase reflects the growing impact of Emirati women in the business sector and success of ADDED’s efforts to foster an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem, aligning with the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023-2031), launched by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak “The Mother of the Nation”, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.b