The wellness industry in the Middle East is growing fast—and women are both its driving force and its primary market. What started with boutique gyms and diet plans has expanded to include mental health platforms, mindfulness coaching, nutritional services, and even luxury retreats. This growth reflects both rising income levels and changing cultural norms. In…
Aliye, you are heading the PR company TOPCITY. How did you come to this type of business, why PR? From childhood, I sang, played the piano, and danced, but I noticed a significant difference in promoting similarly talented children who were being mentored by professional producers. I had good resultsin competitions, always placing in the…
The idea of starting a business at midlife is gaining acceptance across the Middle East. Women who once prioritized family or worked in traditional careers are using their experience to create businesses that are sustainable, local, and personally meaningful. In Jordan, women like Lina Khalifeh, founder of SheFighter, are launching platforms with social impact. In…
Across the Gulf, companies are rethinking workplace policies to better support women’s professional lives. This shift is being driven by both demographic changes and economic goals, as countries aim to increase female participation in the workforce. Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, has increased female labor force participation from 17% in 2016 to over 36% in…
The real estate sector in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, is seeing a growing push toward greater inclusion and representation of women. As more women enter and advance within the industry, conversations around leadership, mentorship, and equity are gaining ground. This shift is being driven not only by policy and market needs, but…
For millions of working women and entrepreneurs, the true cost of doing business isn’t measured solely in dollars and cents — it’s also counted in hours spent arranging daycare, juggling nap schedules, or making difficult choices between scaling a company and staying home with a child. In both developed and emerging economies, the cost and…
