Although the recent history of most Muslim majority countries points to a poor track record in engaging women as productive contributors to their economic and social prosperity, some recent trends point to a positive shift.
A recent Gallup World Poll showed that a majority in all but one of eight predominantly Muslim countries agreed that women should be allowed to hold leadership positions. The results ranged from 54 % support in Egypt to 78 % in Iran and 91 % in Lebanon. Only in Saudi Arabia was there less than a majority backing (40 %). The findings point to the fact that women have been elected to top posts in Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
There are also indications of an increase in the literacy rates of women in leading economies of the Muslim world. In many cases the number of women completing higher education is higher than it has ever been. For example, 50% of students in Iran are women, and 2/3rd in Kuwait.
Some leading women executives serve as role models and inspiration including Guler Sabanci, Chairman, Sabanci Holding (Turkey), Nahed Taher, Founder and Chief Executive, Maha Al-Ghunaim, Founder, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Global Investment House (Kuwait), Lubna Olayan, Chief Executive, Olayan Financing (Saudi Arabia.), Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning, and Chief Executive Officer of Tejari (an online B2B marketplace).
The corporate sector stands to benefit from these trends in increasing and improving their productivity as well as applying diversity in their capabilities. In more conservative societies, entrepreneurs stand to gain by engaging women in a culturally sensitive way and leveraging technologies such as the internet to enhance their participation in the economy and society at large.
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