DIFC Family Wealth Centre and AIWF promote women’s leadership in family businesses

The DIFC Family Wealth Centre (DFWC) and the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) hosted a roundtable event in Dubai titled ‘Women-Led Family Business in the Global Economy’. The initiative, held as part of the AIWF’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, focused on the evolving role of women in leading family-owned enterprises.

Discussions centered on how increasing female representation on family business boards can improve corporate governance, drive innovation, and build long-term resilience amidst global economic shifts and the rise of artificial intelligence. The event highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in ensuring the growth and sustainability of family businesses.

Family enterprises play a critical role in the Gulf economy, contributing approximately 60 per cent of GDP and employing over 80 per cent of the workforce. The DIFC family wealth ecosystem is seeing rapid growth, with family business-related entities increasing by 36 per cent year-on-year and foundations growing by 67 per cent.