HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer highlights women’s empowerment as a key driver of national development and sustainability

The UAE’s early and sustained investment in women’s empowerment has positioned the country among the world’s most competitive nations, said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).

During a meeting with members of the DEWA Women’s Committee, Al Tayer noted that the UAE’s visionary leadership recognised from the outset that empowering women and enabling them to excel is fundamental to national development, strategic effectiveness and the long-term sustainability of the country’s achievements. The meeting was attended by Dr Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA.

Al Tayer congratulated DEWA’s female employees on their growing contribution to excellence in government performance and to sustainable and comprehensive development across the UAE.

“The late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan established a pioneering approach rooted in providing women with every form of care and support. This vision has been carried forward by the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, providing all enablers that allow women to innovate, excel and lead,” said Al Tayer.

DEWA currently has 1,932 female employees across all divisions, including 845 in engineering and technical roles, and 1,083 in administrative and middle-management positions. Women hold 9.7% of leadership roles at DEWA – one of the highest rates globally – with all of these leadership positions occupied by Emirati women.

Fatima Al Jokar, Chairperson of the DEWA Women’s Committee, said: “We are dedicated to leveraging DEWA’s leadership in innovation, digital transformation and strategic partnerships to launch initiatives, events and programmes that promote leadership and propel the economic, professional and social empowerment of female employees, while enhancing their happiness and quality of life.”

In 2025, the DEWA Women’s Committee organised more than 50 activities and workshops, engaging more than 1,400 participants. In addition, the committee launched several women’s empowerment initiative, most notably the ‘For Her’ programme, in collaboration with Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University.