Emirates NBD, one of the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region’s leading banking groups, has officially signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), marking a major step in its long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the workplace.
The move aligns with the bank’s strategic ambition to ensure that women hold 25% of all leadership positions by 2027, underscoring its role as a regional trailblazer in building an inclusive, equitable corporate culture.
Accelerating Female Empowerment in Banking
“Signing the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles provides further momentum to the impressive efforts we have undertaken here at Emirates NBD to champion women in the workplace,” said Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD. “We are deeply committed to empowering women at every level and will continue to accelerate our efforts to achieve gender parity, encourage female leadership, and inspire more women to pursue careers in banking.”
Emirates NBD’s commitment comes on the back of a suite of strategic initiatives, including flexible work arrangements, an expanded maternity and parental leave policy, and the Career Comeback Programme – an initiative designed to reintegrate women into the workforce after a career break.
A Regional Model for Inclusive Growth
Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women GCC Liaison Office, welcomed Emirates NBD as a signatory to the Women’s Empowerment Principles. “This reflects not only the Bank’s leadership in promoting gender equality, but also the UAE’s broader commitment to embedding gender parity within its national development strategy.” she said.
As the UAE positions itself as a hub for knowledge-based, sustainable economic transformation, institutions like Emirates NBD are playing a critical role in translating national goals into measurable workplace impact.
Results Already Taking Shape
With women comprising over 40% of Emirates NBD’s global workforce—a figure that exceeds global industry benchmarks—the bank is already reaping the benefits of its inclusive policies. Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group COO and CHRO, emphasized the importance of continuing this momentum:
Towards Inclusive Economic Development
According to Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, the bank views gender equality not just as a corporate responsibility, but as a core enabler of inclusive economic development.
Regional Transformation Model
By adopting the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, Emirates NBD joins a global network of companies committed to embedding gender equality into their business models. The WEPs, developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, offer a practical roadmap for advancing women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community.
As a signatory, Emirates NBD strengthens its position as a regional role model, not just in finance but in driving a more inclusive and equitable future for the MENAT region.
