Al-Nawir Initiative Celebrates Graduation of 35 Participants in the 'Women of the Future' Program for Women's Leadership Development

The Al-Nawair Initiative celebrated, two days ago, the graduation of 35 participants from the “Women of the Future” program, which aimed to develop women’s leadership capabilities and enhance their presence in decision-making and active participation in work environments and society.

The program’s closing ceremony, sponsored by the Al-Nawair Initiative and its board chairperson, Sheikha Entesar Al-Sabah, marked the culmination of four months of training funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kuwait and implemented in strategic partnership with the European Union and the Commercial Bank of Kuwait.

In her speech at the ceremony, Sheikha Entesar Al-Sabah stated that true leadership does not begin with a title, but with a woman’s decision to know herself, confront her fears, believe in her worth and capabilities, and demonstrate courage in expressing her opinions. She emphasized that strengthening women’s inner strength positively impacts their families, professional circles, and communities, affirming that participants possess what it takes to lead and that authentic, courageous leadership emerging from within contributes to transforming their lives and shaping the future.

For his part, Dutch Ambassador to Kuwait Wierich Ramsok, in a similar address, stressed the importance of joint efforts to enhance women’s empowerment, noting that progress in this area does not happen automatically. He added that effecting change requires a shared vision, building partnerships, and collective action to support initiatives aimed at empowering women.

In her remarks, EU Ambassador to Kuwait Anne Questin congratulated the participants on completing the program, highlighting the importance of initiatives that enable women to develop their skills and assume leadership roles. She praised Al-Nawair’s role in forging partnerships that open new horizons for women and urged graduates to maintain the professional networks they established during the program.

For her part, participant Dana Al-Dhafiri told KUNA that the program allowed her to step outside her usual engineering work environment, connect with participants from various sectors, and learn about their professional backgrounds. She explained that the experience enhanced her communication and professional and social relationship-building skills, providing her with expertise beyond her daily tasks.

Similarly, participant Aliya Al-Haddad told KUNA that her experience in the program contributed to developing her leadership skills, boosting her self-confidence, and improving her ability to communicate with others, particularly in the workplace. She noted that focusing on these aspects helped her in her personal development.

The program included nine intensive workshops based on positive psychology and leadership sciences, relying on experiential learning and practical application to strengthen leadership presence, develop decision-making skills, and enhance the ability to express ideas with confidence and clarity, as well as to communicate effectively within institutional settings. It also featured a dialogue session with leaders from various sectors on the role of women in national development and the provision of institutional environments that support their participation and influence in decision-making.

Evaluations conducted before and after the program showed improvements among participants in self-confidence, leadership readiness, and assertive communication. The program facilitated the exchange of experiences, the building of professional relationships, and the linkage of personal development with institutional and community participation, within the framework of Al-Nawair’s efforts. Al-Nawair is a non-profit initiative based in Kuwait dedicated to capacity building and enhancing women’s contributions to development.

The ceremony was attended by UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Taher, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Parmeeta Tripathi, Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait Tara Shourour, and several senior executives from the Commercial Bank of Kuwait. The event included honoring the participants, presenting them with completion certificates, and recognizing partners for their contributions to supporting the program.