Only 10 per cent to 12 per cent of customers are women at our brokerage. That gap isn’t just a statistic – it’s a missed economic engine.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, women are launching businesses, running households and shaping purchasing decisions. Yet, too few are trading and investing – especially in the financial markets – where long-term wealth is compounded.
The good news: appetite exists. In Saudi Arabia, the number of women investing on the Tadawul stock market surpassed 1.74 million in the second quarter of 2025 – an all-time high and up sharply year on year, according to figures released by the Capital Market Authority.
That is not a niche; it’s momentum. In the UAE, women invested Dh118 billion ($32.1 billion) in Dubai real estate in 2024, representing about a third of all investors, according to the Dubai Land Department. This is evidence that when the asset class feels accessible and tangible, women show up in force.
For comparison, in the mature US market, women’s participation is mainstream, with roughly 62 per cent of US women reporting they own stocks (directly or through funds or retirement) – about the same rate as men, according to analytics company Gallup.
So, why hasn’t female participation in Mena's financial markets kept pace?
Part of the answer is education and access. Wealth manager UBS’s region-wide study finds many women want to engage, but 71 per cent report low familiarity with investment instruments like stocks and bonds, even as 62 per cent say they want more information and seek to become more active investors.
There’s also a uniquely UAE imperative to invest. For expatriates, who make up a large share of the workforce, there is no state pension. Instead, most rely on an end-of-service gratuity, a lump sum that’s rarely enough to fund decades of retirement.
The government has begun reform, introducing voluntary end-of-service savings schemes that invest contributions. This is welcome progress, but still optional to enrol in.
In other words, for many residents, your retirement depends on the investment portfolio you build for yourself.
If we want more women investing, we should also bust an enduring myth that men are naturally “better” at it. In fact, the evidence points the other way.
A large-scale analysis by financial services company Fidelity found that female investors, on average, outperformed their male counterparts by 0.4 percentage points per year, thanks to steadier, long-term behaviour – lower turnover and fewer panic trades. That compounds.
Why it matters
When women invest, families are more financially resilient, businesses gain patient capital and markets deepen. In a region rapidly diversifying beyond hydrocarbons, activating half the population as long-term investors is not just fair, it’s macro-critical.
How to get started (and stick with it)
1) Start with purpose, not products
Write down one primary goal (for instance, “retire at 60 with DhX per month”). Goals anchor behaviour when markets wobble.
2) Build a safety net first
Hold three to six months of essential expenses in cash or a money-market fund. This “sleep-well” buffer prevents selling investments at the worst time.
3) Automate a small, steady contribution
Set a standing monthly transfer into your portfolio (even Dh300 to Dh500). Automation beats motivation.
4) Keep costs low and diversify
Make bonds and broad, low-cost funds your core – regional and global equity index funds or exchange-traded funds, plus a bond fund if you want smoother swings. Add a Shariah-compliant option if that fits your values.
5) Use dollar-cost averaging
Invest the same amount on a schedule. You’ll buy more when prices are low and less when they’re high – no crystal ball required.
6) Limit trading
Behaviour – not brilliance – drives returns. Fewer, better-researched moves usually beat constant tinkering (and aligns with the performance edge women often show).
7) Measure what matters
Track progress against your goal once a quarter.
8) Learn in community
Join women-led investing circles, webinars or mentorship groups. In the UBS study, demand for approachable education was clear; peer learning removes the intimidation factor.
9) Leverage workplace schemes
If your employer offers a DIFC Employer Workplace Savings (Dews)-style or voluntary end-of-service savings plan, enrol and contribute. It’s a ready-made, diversified base – then layer a personal brokerage account on top.
10) Choose regulated partners
Use a locally regulated broker, understand fees and opt into investor-protection features.
The momentum in Saudi Arabia’s markets and Dubai’s property data show the desire – and the capacity – are already here.
The next step is giving women the education, tools and confidence to build long-term, diversified portfolios. For many of us in the UAE, where a government pension won’t be waiting, that’s not just empowerment. It’s essential.
Joy Dabeet is chief marketing officer at neo-broker amana
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bio
Born in Dubai in 1994
Her father is a retired Emirati police officer and her mother is originally from Kuwait
She Graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2015 and is currently working on her Masters in Communication from the University of Sharjah.
Her favourite film is Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
FORSPOKEN
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Motori Profile
Date started: March 2020
Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa
Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi
Sector: Insurance Sector
Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Safe City Group
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
