Zain Strengthens Women's Presence in the Economy: From Empowerment to Impact

Zain Kuwait announced its sponsorship and participation in the inaugural edition of the “Women and the Economy” Conference, which kicked off under the patronage and attendance of Abdulaziz Al-Marzouq, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment and Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry. The event brought together a distinguished group of government and economic leaders, experts, and specialists from various sectors, underscoring Zain’s ongoing commitment to empowering women and enhancing their contribution to economic development. The conference opening was also attended by the Minister of Public Works, Dr.

Noura Al-Mashaan, Qadsi Rashid, the British Ambassador to Kuwait, and Tiba Al-Humaidi, founder of the “Li Wa Lakum” initiative, alongside executive management officials from Zain, as well as a number of leaders from the public and private sectors.

The conference was organized by the “Li Wa Lakum” initiative, a non-profit endeavor focused on empowering individuals through financial awareness, knowledge dissemination, and support for community development. Its aim was to highlight the importance of women’s economic participation, explore ways to expand opportunities available to them, and strengthen their role in driving growth, innovation, and competitiveness, in alignment with the objectives of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision.

Zain’s participation in the conference underscored its vision that women’s empowerment represents a strategic investment in human capital and a key driver of sustainable economic growth. This stance is rooted in the belief that expanding women’s participation across various sectors and enhancing their presence in leadership positions and decision-making centers contributes to unleashing further national potential and supports the building of a more diversified, productive, and competitive economy.

On the sidelines of the conference, Jamana Al-Mutawa, Executive Director of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Zain Group, participated in the first panel discussion titled “The Current Reality,” which addressed the state of women’s economic participation in Kuwait, the challenges they face, and the opportunities available to enhance their contribution to economic growth. The discussions emphasized the importance of moving beyond the traditional concept of participation, which is limited to employment, to encompass professional development, entrepreneurship, value creation, and active involvement in decision-making.

During her participation, Jamana Al-Mutawa presented Zain’s vision for women’s empowerment, which holds that enhancing women’s presence in the labor market extends beyond increasing employment rates and representation. It includes investing in the development of their skills, removing barriers that may hinder their professional advancement, and providing opportunities for them to contribute more significantly to innovation and decision-making.

Al-Mutawa also highlighted the importance of measuring the actual impact of empowerment initiatives through indicators such as professional development, promotions, and leadership readiness, thereby ensuring that institutional commitments translate into tangible and sustainable results.

In this context, Zain Group underscored its ongoing efforts to support women’s advancement through its strategic vision, WE 2030, which aims to increase the representation of women in leadership and middle management positions to 30% by 2030. This goal is pursued through an integrated system of initiatives and programs that contribute to developing female competencies, preparing women to assume greater responsibilities, and strengthening their role in achieving the Group’s strategic objectives.

Among the most prominent of these initiatives is the WE SUCCEED program, which targets the development of promising female talent through a comprehensive three-year leadership journey that includes specialized training, professional mentoring, and leadership skills development, in collaboration with prestigious global institutions. The program has achieved tangible results since its launch, with nine participants promoted, three of whom reached the level of executive director and above, reflecting the impact of long-term investment in building a new generation of female leaders.

The company also invests in the NOVA program, which focuses on developing female competencies in fields with lower female representation, particularly in technology and digital sectors. Through specialized development pathways, the program aims to enhance their professional and leadership readiness and expand their career opportunities in areas that will drive the future of the digital economy. This program is part of Zain’s efforts to build a sustainable base of female talent capable of contributing to technological transformation and innovation at the

The group. These efforts align with Zain’s “4WARD” strategy, which prioritizes investing in human capital and promoting inclusion, driven by the company’s role as a regional technology institution seeking to build a more diverse work environment and develop the capabilities and skills needed to keep pace with rapid economic and digital transformations. Zain’s participation in the “Women and the Economy” conference underscores its commitment to supporting platforms that bring together government entities, the private sector, academic and financial institutions, to exchange expertise and develop practical solutions that enhance women’s economic opportunities and solidify their role as key partners in the development journey. This reflects Zain’s conviction that investing in women’s empowerment is an investment in a more innovative, prosperous, and sustainable future for Kuwait and the region.