The trading climate in the Gulf is full of momentum, driven by strong economic growth, diversification beyond oil, and a wave of innovation across financial services.
With stock markets becoming more dynamic, it is an exciting time to be part of the industry. Yet, one area still lags behind: the number of women actively investing.
In a market full of opportunity, the question is not about whether the space is ready for women, but why more women are not stepping on to the trading floor.
This generation holds both the financial power and ambition to drive a more gender-diverse investment landscape, with UBS’s 2023 Women and Investing report highlighting that 62 per cent of women aim to become more active investors.
However, before that progress can happen, it is important to understand what is still standing in their way.
Confidence gap
Despite women holding over a third of the world’s total investable private wealth, one of the most significant challenges they continue to face is a perceived lack of financial literacy. While many women in the GCC are well-versed in managing personal finances, they often feel less equipped to navigate investment or business-related decisions, especially without a formal background in the field.
This gap in confidence is shaped by a mix of internal doubt and external influences like societal expectations and gender norms. Many women believe they need to have a business degree or extensive industry knowledge to get started, which leaves them hesitant to ask questions, seek guidance, or engage with financial advisers.
UBS also found that more than half of women in the Middle East and North Africa rate their understanding of investments as low, with only 7.5 per cent feeling they have a high level of expertise.
However, with more access to resources, mentorship and inclusive platforms, women increasingly have more opportunities to build confidence and take control of their financial future.
Representation matters
Limited visibility of successful female investors in the Gulf builds on many women’s apprehension of trading.
Changing this requires a conscious effort to spotlight more women as speakers, moderators and decision makers at industry events, creating spaces where female voices are heard and valued.
Small but meaningful changes, like venture capital companies offering lower buy-ins for women, also help make traditionally male-dominated spaces feel more accessible, giving more women the confidence to get involved.
Each generation holds the power to shift the narrative, and establishing financial literacy can begin at home. When mothers invest and take an active role in trading, they show their daughters that financial independence is a natural part of life.
In addition to these, deep-rooted cultural expectations and time constraints also limit women’s participation. Many women juggle full-time careers alongside caregiving roles, and the fast-paced nature of trading does not always align with these demands.
Lack of flexible platforms and time-efficient tools can also make the idea of investing feel overwhelming or unattainable.
Driving change
Expanding the visibility of women in investment is only one part of the equation; building strong, accessible networks is equally essential.
Networking plays a critical role in helping entrepreneurs source deals, share insights and make confident investment decisions, according to UBS’s 2021 Funding Gap report.
Across the Gulf region, organisations like Women in Business Arabia are paving the way with more than 40,000 members connecting through mentorship and shared experiences.
Similarly, initiatives like 2022 Female Angels are reshaping the early-stage investment landscape by creating welcoming, well-informed spaces for women to engage with start-ups across the Middle East and North Africa region.
Governments are also stepping up. Saudi Vision 2030 aims to create one million jobs for women, while the UAE continues to lead with policy reforms and representation at the highest levels, including nine female ministers and equal pay legislation.
Financial and investment inclusion is not just a gender issue; it is an economic imperative. Women represent untapped potential, not only as investors but also as drivers of innovation and long-term growth. As the GCC continues to diversify its economy, ensuring women are part of the investment story is more important than ever.
Kate Leaman is chief market analyst at AvaTrade
Company%C2%A0profile
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Pakistan Super League
Previous winners
2016 Islamabad United
2017 Peshawar Zalmi
2018 Islamabad United
2019 Quetta Gladiators
Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286
Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65
more from Janine di Giovanni
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST
Premier League
Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm
Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm
Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm
Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm
Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)
Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm
Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm
Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm
Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm
Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm
Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm
Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm
Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm
1971: The Year The Music Changed Everything
Director: Asif Kapadia
4/5
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
EU's%2020-point%20migration%20plan
%3Cp%3E1.%20Send%20EU%20border%20guards%20to%20Balkans%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%E2%82%AC40%20million%20for%20training%20and%20surveillance%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Review%20EU%20border%20protection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Reward%20countries%20that%20fund%20Balkans%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.%20Help%20Balkans%20improve%20asylum%20system%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.%20Improve%20migrant%20reception%20facilities%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.%20Close%20gaps%20in%20EU%20registration%20system%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E8.%20Run%20pilots%20of%20faster%20asylum%20system%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E9.%20Improve%20relocation%20of%20migrants%20within%20EU%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E10.%20Bolster%20migration%20unit%20in%20Greece%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E11.%20Tackle%20smuggling%20at%20Serbia%2FHungary%20border%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E12.%20Implement%20%E2%82%AC30%20million%20anti-smuggling%20plan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E13.%20Sanctions%20on%20transport%20linked%20to%20smuggling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E14.%20Expand%20pilot%20deportation%20scheme%20in%20Bosnia%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E15.%20Training%20for%20Balkans%20to%20deport%20migrants%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E16.%20Joint%20task%20forces%20with%20Balkans%20and%20countries%20of%20origin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E17.%20Close%20loopholes%20in%20Balkan%20visa%20policy%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E18.%20Monitor%20migration%20laws%20passed%20in%20Balkans%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E19.%20Use%20visa-free%20travel%20as%20leverage%20over%20Balkans%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E20.%20Joint%20EU%20messages%20to%20Balkans%20and%20countries%20of%20origin%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
McIlroy's recent struggles
Last six stroke-play events (First round score in brackets)
Arnold Palmer Invitational Tied for 4th (74)
The US Masters Tied for 7th (72)
The Players Championship Tied for 35th (73)
US Open Missed the cut (78)
Travellers Championship Tied for 17th (67)
Irish Open Missed the cut (72)
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
