Avtar and Seramount launch 2025 Best Companies for Women in Gulf study
Entries close on December 15, 2024
Avtar Group, a leading global advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) based in Chennai, India, has partnered with Seramount, a Washington DC, US-based company, to launch the 2025 edition of the Best Companies for Women in Gulf (BCWG) study.
This influential benchmarking initiative aims to recognise companies across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region that excel in promoting gender diversity and fostering inclusive work environments.
The BCWG study, which has gained widespread attention since its inaugural edition earlier this year, highlights the efforts of organisations striving to implement progressive policies supporting women in the workplace.
Companies can apply for the 2025 BCWG by December 15, 2024; the winners will be announced in March 2025.
The 2024 Top 10 BCWG include (in alphabetical order): Apparel Group, Bayer Middle East, Diversey A Solenis Company Gulf FZE, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, Ecolab, General Motors Overseas Distribution, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kone Middle East, Otis Elevator, and Wipro Limited.
Addressing a news conference in Dubai on November 28, 2024, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder and President of Avtar Group, said these companies were selected in 2024 based on performance across several key metrics, including hiring practices, retention strategies, leadership diversity, flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, and employee development programmes.
The statistics
According to Rajesh, the 2024 edition of the study revealed that women occupy 26% of board seats within the top 10 companies, representing a significant step forward in leadership representation. Additionally, women account for 26% of the top earners, further underscoring the progress towards achieving gender pay equity and advancing women into senior leadership roles.
Rajesh added: “It is incredible to see that the companies that made it to the top are champions for women in the workplace and pioneers for broader social and economic progress in the GCC region.
“The second edition of the BCWG will build on those achievements and offer valuable insights to drive the continued advancement of gender equality in the region. We welcome applications from organisations committed to women’s empowerment and advancement in the GCC.”
The BCWG study is designed to serve as both a tool for organisations looking to improve their gender diversity practices and a benchmark for companies to assess how they compare to the best in the business.
The study focuses on achieving gender balance and inclusive growth in the GCC. It provides detailed data that highlights best practices and strategies for creating workplaces that are equitable, diverse, and supportive of women at all levels.
Subha V. Barry, President of Seramount, also spoke about the initiative’s importance: “The results of the inaugural BCWG study demonstrate the commitment of the top 10 companies in the Gulf to achieving gender diversity.
“These organisations are not only making progress through sponsorship, mentorship, employee resource group (ERG) programmes, and policies that support working mothers but are also setting new standards for inclusive business practices. We look forward to the second edition of BCWG, which will raise the bar even higher for companies across the region.”
Distinguished record
Avtar Group, founded in 2000 and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, has earned a reputation as a leading expert in workplace inclusion and gender diversity.
Under Rajesh’s leadership, Avtar has pioneered several initiatives to improve women’s workforce participation. Notable achievements include creating returnship programmes for women returning to the workforce after a career break and groundbreaking research that has provided organisations with valuable insights into DEI.
Avtar is also behind India’s largest diversity benchmarking platform, the Avtar & Seramount Best Companies for Women in India, and launched India’s first diversity hiring portal, myavtar.com.
Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm with over 40 years of experience, offers research-driven insights and practical solutions to support organisations in creating inclusive workplaces.
Partnering with more than 450 of the world’s most influential companies, Seramount helps organisations enhance their DEI efforts through services such as workplace assessments, employee learning and development, and talent sourcing.
Umasanker Kandaswamy, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President (Sales and Relationships) at Avtar, opened the news conference in Dubai. It was followed by a fireside session involving Rajesh and Abla Hafez, HR Manager at Gulf Islamic Investment.
Hero image: Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder and President of Avtar Group, addresses journalists in Dubai on November 28, 2024, announcing details of the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Best Companies for Women in Gulf study. Credit: Arnold Pinto
