In 2002, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) was established under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah. Its goal was to assist and encourage businesswomen and female entrepreneurs in the Emirate to advance their ventures, supporting them along the way. Today, the council continues that vision, guiding women with business setup, expansion, training, and mentorship, as well as offering exposure to opportunities for investment and growth in the UAE and beyond. The council has become a one-stop business hub for women seeking answers, support – or simply advice.
Playing out the vision of HH Sheikha Jawaher is HE Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, the current Director of the SBWC. In her role, HE Maryam identifies new areas and sectors in which women are thriving and offers the support of the council to take its members to where they want to be. Today, the council strongly focuses on industries such as technology, real estate and transport, where perhaps women are still the minority, helping foster growth and talent.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in women being interested in businesses such as tech. These are, I’d say, the non-traditional type of businesses women tend to get into, which is exactly what Her Highness wanted – she wants to see women get into those fields and have a seat at the table,” says HE Maryam. “Suddenly, there’s interest in going into a field that they’re not the majority in, and I get to see that growth. For us, it becomes easier to pinpoint what these women need. They just require a small push to gain full confidence in whatever field they want to be in.”
The SBWC assists members in various ways at all stages of their careers, from business set-up and mentorship to taking part in regional events and exhibitions, and even international trade missions. “At the beginning of each year, we sit with the members and talk to them about what they want and need. At the end of the day, they are our asset, and I’m here to create something they want and which meets their needs,” explains HE Maryam. This year, that support arrived in the form of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, held in February.
“We sponsored members to participate in the event, showcase their businesses, and allow them to meet possible investors and partners,” shares HE Maryam. Later this year, the Council will sponsor members to showcase their work and businesses at GITEX in Dubai, with a focus on technology businesses, including tech in transportation, cultural planning and mental health.
The SBWC is also partnering with the American University of Sharjah to help find new solutions backed by education, aiming to foster an ecosystem of female entrepreneurship in Sharjah. “We believe in the importance of having data-backed solutions – they give credibility,” HE Maryam says. “So, we’re looking at problems and opportunities, and everything is research-backed.” The findings from this research will then be presented to the government with the goal of implementing the solutions to assist women in business into a governmental policy.
HE Maryam notes that the attitude, confidence and aspirations of women in business in Sharjah have changed exponentially over the past decade, particularly amongst the younger generation, who are more curious and willing to take bigger risks. But there is still much to be done.
“What I’d love to do more is position the local businesswoman globally. I want to be able to show the world what Emirati women, specifically those from Sharjah, are capable of, changing the narrative,” explains HE Maryam. “We’ve worked so hard to educate ourselves. We want to be able to represent ourselves and the Emirate in the best way.”
“Obviously, there will always be stereotypes around the idea of what an Arab woman is. For us to represent that globally and take our businesses outside of the UAE – not only talk about it but actually showcase them and be present in the global market – that is something I would love to do for our members,” says the council director with conviction.
Despite the obstacles along the way, HE Maryam believes, “There’s nothing they [women] are not capable of. It’s about giving them that opportunity and confidence.” She talks of giving women that extra push to go further with their careers, and adds that knowing the council is there to support them is a boost to their confidence.
Reflecting on the success of women in Sharjah today, HE Maryam quotes the words of HH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi: “There is no women’s empowerment. Women are already empowered. They have the power; what they need is advancement.” And that’s exactly what the Sharjah Business Women Council is there to do.
