We feel that glass ceiling shattering…
The gender gap might take decades to close on a worldwide scale… but women in the region are definitely making huge strides this year.
Gulf Business has released its annual list of the 100 Most Powerful Arabs, and women make up an impressive 25 per cent of the rankings.
Women accounted for just seven entries in the 2016 list, so that’s an increase of 18 per cent this year.
The tally is made up of business leaders, educators, politicians, sportspeople, writers and more, with Saudi’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud taking first place for yet another year.
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The UAE’s own HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates airline and Emirates NBD, came in second, with Emirates-born individuals actually scooping the most places on 2017’s list.
But which women made the cut?
The first appearance in the list comes from the UAE’s HE Noura Al Kaabi, who came in 15th place. The twofour54 chairwoman, who was also named Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs in 2016, has made huge leaps in growing the nation’s media industry.
Also in the top 20 are HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Tolerance, and Lubna Olayan, the Kuwaiti deputy Chairperson and CEO of the Olayan Financing Company.
Sheikha Lubna was in fact the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the Emirates, and has long been an advocate for women’s empowerment.
The list, which is ranked according to financial capital, human capital, expansion plans and personal fame, also includes former Qatari first lady and Qatar Foundation chairwoman HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser.
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Iraqi women’s rights activist and media personality Zainab Salbi came in at No 35 while HE Reem Al Hashemi, the Minister of State charged with organising the Dubai World Expo, took 38th place.
Here’s every woman that made the top 100, along with her ranking:
15. HE Noura Al Kaabi
18. HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
20. Lubna Olayan
28. HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser
29. HE DR Raja Easa Al Gurg
35. Zainab Salbi
38. HE Reem Al Hashemi
42. HE Sheikha Mayassa Bint Al Thani
49. Dr Mona Hanna-Attisha
53. Huda Kattan
56. Nayla Hayek
58. Dalia Mogahed
64. Noor Tagouri
72. Gigi Hadid
77. Dr Amina Rustamani
84. Yusra Mardini
85. Maha Al Ghunaim
86. Nancy Ajram
89. HE Fatima Al Jaber
90. Shaikha Al Bahar
93. Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch
94. Hala Gorani
95. Hoda Kotb
97. Mona Eltahawy
98.Muna Abu Sulayman
For the full list, along with a description of each individual and their achievements, click here.
