General Motors Middle East has achieved a remarkable milestone, being named one of the top 10 companies for women to work for in the GCC by renowned organisations Avtar and Seramount. The inaugural awards reflect GM Middle East’s commitment to inclusivity and its core mission to create a cleaner, safer and fairer world.
These awards honor companies for their efforts in gender inclusivity, based on the assessment of actions taken in this area. Based on the results achieved, GM affirms its deep gratitude to all stakeholders and the leadership team for developing an environment where every person feels truly valued. The leading automotive company is also proud of the achievements of its women employees, and the diverse ideas, visions and skills they possess to drive significant change in the automotive industry.
Key initiatives focused on include unconscious bias training, targeted development programmes and mentoring, all of which have significantly increased career opportunities for women in STEM and leadership roles. This is evident at General Motors, where 35% of its management positions are held by women, highlighting its strong commitment to gender balance. GM is also one of 18 companies in the UAE aiming to have 30% women in leadership positions by 2025, earning it the Gold Level Excellence Award for its Sustainable Development Goal 5 journey with the UAE Gender Balance Council.
“Embracing, nurturing and driving gender diversity is a significant competitive advantage that allows for multiple perspectives and builds a culture focused on legacy success, especially in today’s highly competitive and ever-changing business landscape,” said Jacques Uppal, President and CEO of GM Africa and Middle East Operations. “The contribution of women in the workplace is vital in all areas, but especially in industries that have historically been driven by men, such as the automotive industry. Bridging this gender gap is a key focus for us as we envision a future of mobility that is driven by zero accidents, zero emissions and zero congestion. We thank Avtar and Seramont for recognizing our tremendous efforts, and we look forward to continuing to build a diverse and gender-balanced workforce.”
“It is wonderful to recognize companies that not only support women in the workplace, but are also leaders in the advancement of women in the GCC. The inaugural Best Companies for Women in the Gulf provided comprehensive data to enhance the representation of women in the workplace in the region,” said Dr. Soundarya Rajesh, Founder and Chairperson of Avtar Group. “The commitment of the companies that were part of Best Companies for Women in the Gulf is to create an environment that allows women to thrive. This is not only good for business, but also a catalyst for a brighter and more inclusive future for all. The top ten companies are paving the way for a promising future where the Gulf region is a leader in business, as well as in gender equality.”
“Both Ceramont and Avtar are strongly committed to diversity globally, and we are thrilled with the results of the inaugural Best Companies in the Gulf study,” said Shobha V. Bari, President of Ceramont. “The data tells us that the top 10 companies for women to work for in the Gulf are passionate about and committed to achieving gender diversity goals. Through initiatives such as sponsorships, employee resource group programs and benefits that support working mothers, these companies are leading the way in inclusion. Ceramont is proud to recognize these forward-thinking companies.”
Source: news.gmarabia.com