e& snags the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives of the Year award for IT Services

The company’s first-ever female leadership programme is reshaping the narrative and breaking barriers for women in tech.

Since 1976, e& has continuously pushed the boundaries of innovation whilst expanding its services to reach over 165 million customers across 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Through its various business verticals, e& is dedicated to creating a smarter, safer, and more sustainable world for all.

The 'Women in Leadership' programme, a collaborative effort between e&, Nokia, and UN Women, has been instrumental in promoting gender diversity, empowering women, and championing sustainable business practices. The programme recently celebrated a significant milestone with its first in-person closing event in Dubai, marking a pivotal moment for gender equality in the Middle East tech sector.

With a laser focus on increasing women's representation in decision-making roles within the technology sector, the 'Women in Leadership' programme aligns with UN Women's Empowerment Principles and strives to create a more inclusive future. Throughout the six-month journey, participants tackled crucial industry challenges, from eco-friendly solutions and data transparency to energy consumption and breaking down barriers for women in tech.

The impact of the programme is evident in the innovative ideas and groundbreaking prototypes developed by the participants. By fostering inclusive leadership and empowering women, e& and its partners are paving the way for a more diverse and prosperous tech industry.

Launched as the first-ever female leadership programme, it garnered remarkable success. A majority of the concepts generated during the programme received sponsorships from Nokia and e&, enabling their development and scaling. Moreover, the programme effectively heightened awareness about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles amongst participants, inspiring them to integrate these principles into their current roles.

Dena Al Mansoori, Group Chief HR Officer at e&, expressed her pride in the initiative, stating, "We launched the Women in Leadership programme a year ago, fueled by an unwavering belief that we can collectively make meaningful change. Today, I'm inspired by the remarkable ideas and solutions generated by our participants, all determined to leave a positive impact on our communities. We are proud to shape a different narrative, break barriers, and forge a path for women in tech where inclusive leadership can thrive."

On the other hand, Rima Manna, VP Middle East Market Unit at Nokia, commended the programme's success, saying, "Throughout the programme, the participants not only embraced sustainability and women's empowerment challenges but also demonstrated a remarkable capacity for collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking, leaving a lasting mark of excellence."

e&'s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry has also resulted in a significant shift in the industry's landscape, challenging traditional norms and fostering an environment where talent and innovation know no gender boundaries.

As a result of these initiatives, e& clinched the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives of the Year - IT Services at the Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2023. 

The awards programme honours the most outstanding business leaders, including trailblazing teams and individuals whose initiatives have resulted in substantial business gains for their company’s operations in the Middle East.

The Middle East Management Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].