According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, out of 10 million employees working in the construction sector, just 9% are women. In the UAE, women’s participation in the labour force has increased from 29.2% in 1990 to 40.6% in 2018, but there is still a long way to go, especially within the field of green buildings. Women encounter many barriers when deciding to enter male-dominated fields, however, a lack of ambition is not one of these barriers, as the UAE Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the Workplace Survey found that 74% of women, compared to 66% of men, have the ambition to set their sights on a top executive role.

Therefore, in support for Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality), we are proud to offer the EmiratesGBC Women’s Network. The EmiratesGBC Women’s Network recognizes the need to foster further inclusivity and to build on the successes to date by supporting the professional development of women in the MENA region, particularly in fields which are generally male dominated such as the building and construction sectors. The Network is dedicated to the empowerment of women in the field of green buildings and sustainable development in the UAE and the wider MENA region.  The EmiratesGBC Women’s Network is a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and mentoring as well as for celebrating the positive female role models in the industry today.

The EmiratesGBC Women’s Network and all its activities are formally affiliated with the Emirates Green Building Council and is governed through an appointed steering committee.

While membership of the Network is open exclusively to female members of EmiratesGBC, some of the Network’s activities and events will be open to the wider EmiratesGBC members.

Eligibility

• All female members of EmiratesGBC (individual or corporate members), including members outside of the UAE, are eligible to become members of EWN, at no additional charge.

Members of the Women’s Network are expected to participate and engage in its events.

If you are a member of the EmiratesGBC and are interested in joining the Network, please complete the registration form found here. If you are not yet a member of EmiratesGBC, but would like to join, please also complete the membership application form here.

EmiratesGBC is also seeking champions to support the EmiratesGBC Women’s Network through financial sponsorship. Please see sponsorship opportunity here.