A well-functioning inclusive board, with an effective culture, structure and composition is a key determinant of the successful contribution of women to board task performance by women in the UAE. The promotion of women to corporate board membership is currently topical and one of the channels used by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government’s campaign towards gender equity and the empowerment of women. 

In consonance with this agenda and consistent with calls to open up the ‘black box’ of board room operations and dynamics, the objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence women’s contribution to key board roles in the UAE. The study seeks to understand the key determinants of women’s contribution to board strategy, monitoring and service tasks and the drivers of these determinants.

What boardroom processes and dynamics are conducive for the utmost contribution of women on UAE boards?  To find out, please join Christine Akello on 10^th November 2023 as she reports her preliminary findings.

Bio

Christine Akello, an Australian public service employee and currently a PhD student at the Australian National University, is based at the College of Arabic and Islamic Studies.  She developed an interest in women and corporate boards during the 10 years in which she lived, worked and studied in the United Arab Emirates. Christine’s memberships include Women on Boards, Australia, and Aurora 50.