Women entrepreneurs have a corporate social responsibility

Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the Executive Committee of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and president of Dubai Business Women Council, at the Emirati Women's Day 2017 celebration. - Photo by Dhes Handumon

Female entrepreneurs must take part in planning and implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to make the private sector responsive to the need of society, urged an official at the Ministry of Economy.
Highlighting the significance of the role of women, Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdelaziz Al Shehhi, undersectary of the ministry, said women proved they are a major influencer in overall development of the Emirati society.
"In UAE, we believe that women can contribute to major government initiatives and their influential presence in business organisations can bring better decisions and plans especially in CSR in line with the Year of Giving," said Al Shehhi on an event organised by the Dubai Chamber for Emirati Women's Day.
Therefore, he called upon female entrepreneurs to participate in the implementation of the ministry's 11 key initiatives, launched earlier in June, to promote CSR nationwide among private and public sector.
They initiatives, which will be implemented in 2018, will create workplace that takes up philanthropy as part of its core values and helps the government keep database and monitor the companies' compliance to philanthropy.
He called on women to participate on the smart platform that will establish a database on CSR activities across the country and highlight the business community contributions to CSR initiatives. "We call on women leaders and companies to encourage organisations to promote the spirit of giving. Your offers will go a long way towards achieving UAE vision to prosperity and people," said Al Shehhi.
He noted that entrepreneurs will be able to register in the smart platform www.csruae.ae, which will soon be launched, and will include areas companies can contribute in depending on society's needs priorities. He added that on Emirati Women's Day, the nation will not only honour their contributions but will also discuss major challenges women face and opportunities they cannot pursue to unleash their full potential and discuss steps they can take to make UAE, and the world, better.
New group launched
Speaking at the event, Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, president of Dubai Business Women Council, announced the launch of a new working group under the Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network that will involve Emirati women in the agenda of social and economic development in line with UAE Vision 2021. The group will identify and build partnerships with public and private sector players and help create new opportunities for women.
Al Gurg said: "The effect of women's participation in leadership roles has wide-ranging benefits for the economy, governance and society at large."
She said businesses that are awarded the Dubai Chamber CSR Label are required to have policies and programmes that support gender equality in the workplace.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE

Sherouk Zakaria

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com