Best companies for women in Gulf announced

The second edition of the Best Companies for Women in Gulf (BCWG) study highlighted a growing commitment to gender inclusion across the region.

Companies are showing increased interest in supporting women through leadership training, coaching, mentoring, and sponsorship. They are also promoting a culture of allyship and advocacy, while creating equitable pathways for women’s career growth.

The findings were revealed in a press conference held in Dubai by Avtar Group, leading workplace culture consulting and Inclusion (DEI) Solutions firm, as part of the second edition of Avtar & Seramount Best Companies for Women in Gulf (BCWG) list.

The BCWG is an influential benchmarking initiative spotlighting organisation across the GCC region that excel in fostering gender diversity and inclusive workplace policies.

The 2025 BCWG study unveiled the top 10 companies and other best companies in the Gulf region that are leading the change in creating inclusive work environments for women.

The 2025 Top 10 Best Companies in Gulf, listed alphabetically are: A A Al Moosa Enterprises Car Rental Division (Thrifty & Dollar), Al Shirawi Facilities Management LLC, Diversey - A Solenis Company, DKHOON AL EMIRATIA, Easa Salel Al Gurg Group, Ecolab, EY, Finastra UK Limited, KONE MIDDLE EAST LLC and TruKKer. Nine more companies qualified to feature in the list. Listed alphabetically, they are: Apparel Group, Beauty Steps, Canon Middle East, CBRE Advisory Services LLC, GIG GULF Insurance, House of Shipping Management Consultancies FZCO, Ingram Micro Company, MCA MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS & MCA AUDITING, Wipro Limited.

Addressing the media, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President, Avtar Group, said: “As the Best Companies for Women in Gulf (BCWG) study completes its second edition in the GCC, we are delighted to see the commitment to gender inclusion, growing in the region. Best companies, hailing from across industry sectors have instituted comprehensive inclusion frameworks, to ensure women’s advancement is recognised as a strategic growth priority.

“From leadership training to coaching, mentoring and sponsorship, these organizations promote a culture of allyship and advocacy alongside creating equitable pathways for career growth. By fostering opportunities for women to excel, lead, and thrive, the best companies have set a gold standard for progressive organisations in the region, inspiring the larger business ecosystem. We are proud to honour these frontrunners.” Subha V. Barry, President, Seramount, said: “Seramount and Avtar share a deep commitment to advancing global inclusion, and we’re proud to celebrate the continued momentum of the Best Companies for Women in the Gulf initiative.”

The study finds that women’s representation in best companies is at 33%, 42% of all hires in best companies is women, 28% of all women in best companies were promoted - this is higher at 34% in top 10 companies, 95% companies provide leadership training and 79% provide formal mentoring and 79% provide executive coaching, all contributing to this facet of career advancement.

Towards enabling women’s engagement, 63% companies have employee resource groups, towards ensuring equity in career advancement, 63% best companies provide assured performance rating during paid maternity leave, towards fostering emotional support, 63% offer postpartum stress/depression counselling and 95% companies foster an inclusive culture through programs to resolve Diversity, Equity & Inclusion grievances.