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Female business leaders in the Middle East are rewriting the narrative, shattering stereotypes, and making an incredible mark across industries. Their contributions are not only rising the region’s economic growth but also driving a cultural shift towards greater gender equality. These exceptional women are breaking barriers, inspiring change, and carving a path for future generations of female entrepreneurs.
To highlight the achievements of these outstanding leaders, the Arabian Business editorial team adopted a nine-parameter evaluation system to rank the 100 Most Inspiring Women In The Middle East, offering a fresh perspective on what defines influence in today’s dynamic business landscape.
The evaluation system employed a weighted criteria to evaluate candidates across multiple dimensions, ensuring a holistic view of their impact. Each candidate was scored on a standardised 10-point scale across nine chosen areas, with inspiration emerging as the most significant factor, carrying a weight of 20 per cent of the total score.
Legacy and economic contribution follow closely, each contributing 15 per cent to the final tally. Equally important are cultural impact, community engagement, entrepreneurial achievement, and social media presence, each assigned a weight of 10 per cent. Completing the framework, environmental impact and innovation are weighted at 5 per cent each, reflecting the increasing importance of sustainability and forward-thinking in the modern era.
Inspiring women ranked
The outcome generated a list that was as diverse as it was impressive. Take, for instance, Dr Mariam Matar, Founder and Chairperson of the Emirates Genetic Diseases Association. Her work has been key in advancing genetic research and public health initiatives in the UAE. Dr Matar’s vision and leadership have brought critical issues to the forefront, fostering collaboration and innovation in an area often overlooked but vital to the region’s well-being.
Meanwhile, Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development for Mastercard in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is leading the way in financial technology. Her efforts to promote digital payments and financial inclusion have not only transformed markets but also empowered communities by providing access to previously unavailable financial tools. Ajmal exemplifies the seamless fusion of technology and economic empowerment.
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