How GCC National Visions Are Driving Women's Empowerment

Women’s empowerment strengthens the society as a whole; regions that understand this stand to benefit greatly in the long run.

The Gulf Cooperation Corporation (GCC) has awakened to this reality and is thus committed to empowering women across the seven countries. In the GCC, women's empowerment is a strategic cornerstone ingrained in each country's future plan.

In the last ten years, all the Gulf states unveiled ambitious national visions like Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the UAE's long-term planning strategies, Qatar's Vision 2030, Oman's Vision 2040, Kuwait's Vision 2035 and Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. All of these are acknowledging that gender equality and participation of women are key drivers for sustainable development.

Previously defined by conventional social roles, women in Gulf countries are now reshaping leadership and entrepreneurship. This has opened doors to education and jobs while also laying down structural pillars that push women to engage in business ownership. Consequently, the GCC has seen a record increase in women's representation in boardrooms, ministries and new industries.

The effects are evident both economically and culturally. Empowered women are driving diversification away from oil, adding value to the region's human capital and motivating a new generation of reformers. Each country's vision is built upon a common understanding, that a future built on inclusion and equality cannot come about without the active engagement of women.

This shared transformation represents a turning point for the region, one where policy and purpose intersect and women are not standing alongside progress but at its core.

Let’s delve into how each of the seven GCC countries has embedded women’s upliftment within their future vision and policies