Feel like a feminine fish out of water in the UAE’s masculine world of business? Find support, get useful tips, and network like the old boys with one of the two major business groups for women in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Businesswomen’s Council
Goals: The ADBWC aims to articulate the ambitions and requirements of businesswomen in Abu Dhabi, to provide them with distinguished services that will help to contribute to the national economy, and to promote the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as a global hub for economy and finance, thus enhancing the role played by businesswomen in the capital.
Benefits: Members of the ADBWC enjoy several perks. The Emaratiya Card allows all female members to take part in meetings, conferences, training programs, and delegations, and cardholders get discounts at 77 establishments around town. Members will be included in the annual business women directory and the Abu Dhabi directory and can use the member’s library. They can even take part in the Mubdi’ah program, which gives women a legal way to work from their private homes.

Membership: There are three different kinds of membership. Founding members are women, both Emirati and expatriate, who have business licenses and are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Affiliate members do not necessarily have to have a business license, and again they can be Emirati or expatriate. Honorary membership is reserved for high-level Emirati businesswomen.

Activities: The ADBWC represents UAE women and businesswomen at various forums, seminars, conferences and functions on both the region and international levels. They also provide training for women and liaise on their behalf with local, Arab and international organisations. More importantly, the Council allows women to express their opinion on the relevant issues and discuss their problems, present suggestions and recommendations to assist members, and provide new job opportunities for women.

Leadership: The Council is run by an executive board that consists of Chairperson Dr Rawda Al Mutawa, Vice Chairperson Mariam Al Rumaithy, Assistant Director General Shafika Al Ameri, and members Fatima Al Jaber, Salwa S. Saad Shaibani, Hessa A.Al Khalide, Huda Abdul Rahman, Azza Darwish Frahi Al Quabaisi, Hussa Abdulla Al Mehairi, Reed O Al Dhaheri, Sanaa Al Suwaidi, and Mira Musalam Al Mazroie.
How to Join: Applications are available online. Submit your completed application form to the office of the ADBWC on the sixth floor of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the corner of 2nd/Airport Road and the Corniche.

Information: and 02 617 7526

International Businesswomen’s Group
Goals: The IBWG’s main objective is to offer businesswomen an informal setting for networking and to provide like-minded women with the opportunity to identify, discuss, and pursue common interests regarding business activities in the United Arab Emirates.

Benefits: Not only will members have a setting in which to excel professionally and socially, they will also enjoy a huge number of discounts at businesses and clinics all over the capital. The IBWG can help potential entrepreneurs break into the local market and is the ideal forum in which women can promote their businesses, especially those that rely on networking and relationship building.

Membership: Membership is open to high-level professional businesswomen working in Abu Dhabi. Members must be proprietors, partners, directors, or working at senior level management.
Activities: Monthly luncheons are held at various locations the first Monday of every month that feature guest speakers who can offer insight, motivation and knowledge to the members. The IBWG is also involved with regular charity events and social gatherings which benefit both UAE based charitable organisations and international associations recommended by the group’s membership.

Leadership: The IBWG is led by a four woman committee that includes Chairperson Nafisa Taha, Treasurer Jacqueline Jacobs, Gulizar Jonan, and Penny Evernden-Perry.
How to Join: Complete and submit the application form online and a committee member will contact you shortly. This independent, non-profit association relies solely on membership fees to support its activities and charitable events, so the yearly membership fee of AED 250 for individuals or AED 600 for corporate members is payable upon approval of
your application.

Information: , 02 621 3904.

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