SBWC Strengthens Alliance to Advance Women in Business

• SBWC accelerated growth in 2025, enabling women entrepreneurs to scale and build long-term impact
• Several initiatives reflect global indicators, with 54.1% female workforce participation and top global scores
• The organization supported national discussions on social entrepreneurship and the circular economy

2025 was marked a year of accelerated growth as Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) enhanced its ecosystem approach by providing end-to-end support for women entrepreneurs, helping them gain confidence and resources from ideation to global market access. Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, commented on the council’s progress as a deliberate shift toward building long-term, scalable impact for women-owned businesses.

According to Maryam Bin, the organization’s efforts mirror global empowerment indicators, including the World Bank’s report of 54.1% female workforce participation in 2024 and the UAE’s full score in Women, Business and the Law 2024.

SBWC used the member feedback to shape the programme and to serve women entrepreneurs better. The organizations started with meetings, in Sharjah and Kalba. The work was further strengthened by joining the Sharjah Entrepreneurs Festival. SBWC launched the NMU Initiative and organized the Business Readiness Bootcamp aimed to boost readiness, financial readiness and marketing readiness, for women entrepreneurs.

The council facilitated members take part in exhibitions. The top exhibitions include the Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show and Expand North Star. The council also helped women entrepreneurs meet supply chains by sending a Sharjah trade mission to China. The organization also took a part, in moving talks, about social entrepreneurship and the circular economy forward.