Women in Tech (Pride of Tech) Forum and Awards 2025
The Women in Technology Forum & Awards 2025, hosted by TahawulTech.com and organized by CPI Media Group, is a premier platform dedicated to celebrating and empowering women in the technology sector. This exclusive event aligns with the International Women's Day (IWD) 2025 campaign theme, 'Accelerate Action', calling for urgent and collective efforts to drive gender equality in the workplace and beyond.
At the current pace of progress, it will take until 2158—nearly five generations from now—to achieve full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. The time to act is now. Accelerating Action means breaking barriers, challenging biases, and fostering a culture of inclusivity to create equitable opportunities for women in technology.
This dynamic forum will convene industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and change-makers to engage in insightful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and strategic collaborations. Through thought-provoking panels, keynote sessions, and interactive workshops, the event will spotlight pressing challenges and explore practical solutions to drive tangible progress in gender equity.
The Women in Technology Awards will recognize outstanding women professionals who have made remarkable contributions to the digital economy, innovation, and leadership. These accolades celebrate the resilience, excellence, and impact of women shaping the future of technology.
For women aspiring to build a career in the digital space, this event provides a unique opportunity to learn from industry pioneers, expand their network, and gain valuable insights into career progression, leadership, and innovation. Attending the awards ceremony allows them to connect with mentors, discover emerging trends, and be inspired by the success stories of trailblazing women in tech. It is a platform to learn, grow, and take decisive steps toward a thriving career in the digital world.
Join us on March 5, 2025, as we step forward in solidarity to #AccelerateAction, ensuring a future where women thrive, lead, and innovate in technology. Together, we can speed up the rate of progress and make gender equality a reality—faster.
Be part of the movement. Be part of the change.
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Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Arabian Business
European space ambitions need Gulf partners
I f Europe wants to stand on its own two feet, it must look up – literally. Space, once associated only with exploration – or, more cynically – national vanity projects, has become crucial to the economic health, security, and soft power of any government, national or regional. That's one reason why Josef Aschbacher, head of the European Space Agency, has called for more investment in the sector. Europe, he argues, cannot afford to lag behind. The ambition to be 'strategically autonomous' and shape its own future depends on catching up in an area where other powers, the U.S. and China most notably, are pulling ahead. Space technology, it's crucial to note, is not just about satellites and rockets even though culturally, that's often what comes to mind when people think about it. This perception has been strengthened by Elon Musk's SpaceX, which communicates aggressively around its many launches. Space in fact touches everything from military equipment and weapons to communications infrastructure to environmental monitoring and supply chain efficiency. A recent study published by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey underscored how 'space-based technologies are revolutionising the supply chain, transportation, and mobility sectors, positioning them as the fastest-growing segment of the global space economy.' In these areas, Europe has some of the world's best engineers. But it consistently fails to support the companies where they work with meaningful investment. Compare this situation with that of the Middle East. The Gulf region has become a surprising contender in the new space race. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, once absent from this arena, are now outspending many of their Western counterparts and making rapid progress. In just over a decade, they have poured $25 billion into the field, and that is expected to grow to $75 billion by 2032. First, national security remains essential. Secondly, they need to plan for the post-oil era. The Gulf economies rely heavily on oil, and they will be in deep trouble if they do not diversify their economies. Thirdly, they need to prepare the labour market for the twin challenges of automation and climate change. They are also closely aligned with strategic initiatives: AI, autonomous systems. Space covers all of these. It promises robust security, long-time prosperity, and future-proof jobs, as well as national prestige and the tools to adapt to an uncertain world. But the Middle East and Europe need not see themselves as rivals. The Gulf states are actively looking for partners; they want to develop their space infrastructure further. They are becoming global hubs of innovation. And Europe, with its highly skilled, highly educated workforce and depth in advanced technology, should be an obvious ally in this undertaking. A paradigm shift is underway: those countries that fail to see how much more the Middle East is than a source of capital will fall far behind. Europe would benefit from the support. It has many promising space companies developing world-beating dual-use technologies. With more funding and backing, they could scale rapidly: ICEYE, one of Europe's most exciting space companies, has benefitted hugely from its presence in the Gulf. Growing fast would stop lesser companies in other nations from appearing, gaining more funding, and out-scaling them. In the United States, small, innovative companies have long been seen as the key to remaining at the forefront of innovation, and those companies receive generous funding for that reason. In Europe, procurement processes badly need rethinking, and there is still some hesitation around investing in defence, which often overlaps with space. There was a time when the Middle East was viewed (wrongly, even then) as a source of oil money and little else. That has changed: it is now widely viewed as a genuine industrial power, as well as a large and growing market and a vital bridge and trading point between East and West. If Europe were to collaborate with the United Arab Emirates, it could get much more than funding. The Gulf is vast, with open landscapes and a climate perfectly suited for the testing of advanced, satellite-based tech. Europe is densely packed and its regulations are stringent. The Gulf, for its part, would gain European know-how, which would accelerate its development in space. Jobs, knowledge transfer and commercial opportunities would also follow. So a strong Europe–Middle East alliance in space would serve both sides: creating economic opportunities, reducing dependency on unpredictable allies, and developing infrastructure that will define the next century. It's a win-win. The Middle East is ready and waiting. It has shown that it's looking ahead to the future, and it is eager to join hands with countries and regions for mutual advantage: the slew of multibillion-dollar U.S. tech deals struck by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar shows that. Europe, which for a long time has relied on others, and has been able to invest in its social infrastructure due to the promise of U.S. military support, badly needs to work with other countries to ensure its security and the quality of life of its citizens. It should act now. The clock is ticking.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
How MENA consumers shop during Father's Day
Ahead of Father's Day on June 21, MENA-based gifting marketplace Flowwow and Admitad, affiliate marketing platform, have released insights into shifting gifting habits in the MENA region, based on over 55,000 online purchases. Admitad analysts studied the behaviour of online shoppers in MENA countries (with the UAE and KSA analysed separately) during the 'calm period' of June 20–22, 2023 and May 20–22, 2024 and 'the peak period' June 20–22, 2024. In Saudi Arabia, 25 per cent more gifts for men on Father's Day were purchased online, choosing thoughtful and family-oriented options, the study reveals. Online orders during the 2024 Father's Day period across MENA rose 16 per cent year-over-year, with Saudi Arabia leading at a 30 per cent rise. According to Flowwow's market study, Father's Day 2024 saw a 129 per cent increase in gift orders year-over-year, with gross merchandise value (GMV) up 121 per cent. The overall trend of gifting to men continues to grow, showing a more than 20 per cent year-over-year increase, the study reveals. Looking ahead to 2025, Flowwow forecasts a 30 per cent increase in Father's Day sales in Saudi Arabia, with strong demand for gift sets including hamper boxes and gourmet sets, as well as themed Father's Day cakes and premium chocolates. From material to meaningful Customers in Kuwait and UAE spent the most on gifts for dads, with the highest average order values (AOV) at $114 and $57.2 respectively. They were followed by Jordan ($38.6), Egypt ($31.6), and Saudi Arabia ($29.1), where spending was more modest. The average order value for gifts dropped by 3.4 per cent to $73.75, approximately 12 per cent lower than other major holidays like Mother's Day or International Women's Day, which the report suggests is due to a preference for personal and meaningful options over costly gifting in MENA. 'Father's Day is becoming more meaningful in the MENA region, especially in Saudi Arabia, where gifting for men is growing alongside a strong cultural appreciation for fatherhood. It's not just about fathers any more, people are celebrating all the important male figures in their lives, including stepdads, and grandfathers, showing that their presence truly matters to families across the GCC,' said Slava Bogdan, CEO at Flowwow. New e-commerce trends on Father's Day According to research by Flowwow and Admitad, Google Trends confirms the rising relevance of Father's Day in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The search volume for Father's Day-related content – such as quotes, greetings, cards, and gift ideas – surged more than 30 times this week from June 15. Google Shopping data also shows a peak in gift-related searches ahead of the celebration, indicating that more people are preparing for the holiday with purposeful intention. 'Father's Day is quickly becoming one of the key drivers of e-commerce growth in Saudi Arabia and in the MENA region. Between June 20 and 22, we saw a 16 per cent year-over-year increase in orders across the region, with Saudi Arabia as a digitally advanced country showing the strongest growth – a 30 per cent surge in order volume during the holiday period,' said Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad. According to data from Admitad, the best-selling gift categories for men in MENA include home and tools (30 per cent), electronics (22 per cent), and automotive accessories (9 per cent). In Saudi Arabia, customers favoured electronics and gadgets even more, accounting for 28 per cent of all sales. Overall, family-oriented holidays like Father's Day are becoming more significant in the GCC gifting market. Flowwow claims. Consumers are making emotional and meaningful purchases as they search for ways to connect more deeply with loved ones – often choosing simple, thoughtful gifts or shared family experiences over expensive items.
Web Release
5 days ago
- Web Release
Global agrifood systems need urgent funding to support sustainable transformation and build climate resilience
Global agrifood systems require annual investments of $1.1 trillion over the next five years to transition to sustainable, resilient food production models that secure employment and align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. However, current annual investment is severely lacking, reaching only 5% of the required amount. Unlocking greater capital flows will thus require innovative financing mechanisms. Currently, most private investments in food systems are concentrated in Europe and North America. Those most in need of investment – Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America – remain significantly underfunded. A new joint report by Bain & Company and the World Economic Forum highlights innovative financing models that could lower investment barriers and bring in a broad range of financial actors to help meet the funding gap. 'Food systems transformation is not just a climate imperative — it is a commercial opportunity. Financiers with exposure to the food sector have a vested interest to improve credit risk profiles of their customers. Investing in food systems also allows financiers to adhere to increasingly stringent portfolio sustainability regulations and to deliver on critical stakeholder commitments,' said Iwona Steclik, a partner at Bain & Company's Financial Services practice in EMEA. Common barriers to funding the food system transformation include uncertainty around the financial returns, fragmented nature of food production creating operational challenges, inconsistent impact reporting and limited coordination across the value chain. Hence, innovative mechanisms are needed to scale up finance for climate resilience in agriculture. Given the diversity of food systems and varying starting points of financial institutions, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The report focuses on financing the transformation—primarily through lending—while acknowledging the importance of other instruments like insurance. The proposed financial models fall into three categories: direct farmer financing, lending via corporates, and multi-stakeholder platforms—each designed to lower investment barriers. Together, these models capture the breadth of innovation across markets, commodities, and de-risking strategies—highlighting the diverse pathways to transform food system finance. Initiatives such as Aceli Africa, Project Acorn, McCain's regenerative agriculture program, and the Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC) platform demonstrate how commercial, philanthropic, and government capital can be aligned for scalable impact, according to the report. 'A defining feature of all these models is the need for coordinated action across the entire value chain, including farmers, agrifood companies, retailers, financial institutions, data providers and governments. Each of these models employs de-risking strategies that span from traditional financing tools like guarantees to innovative approaches such as monetizing ecosystem outcomes,' said Derek Baraldi, Head of Sustainable at the World Economic Forum. 'Transforming food systems presents major investment opportunities for commercial capital to unlock new markets, boost revenues, and enhance portfolio resilience. However, scaling such investments requires a customized strategy aligned with an institution's strengths, portfolio, risk appetite, and sustainability goals', said Christian Graf, partner at Bain & Company and leader of the EMEA Sustainability & Responsibility Financial Services practice. To succeed, financiers should: (1) Set clear targets on food systems transformation investments and challenge teams to identify scalable, profitable models, tailored to portfolio and capabilities. (2) Build strategic partnerships across the food value chain (including catalytic capital providers, agrifood companies and/or farmers) to ensure shareholder returns and accelerate delivery at scale. (3) Design and adopt innovative financing mechanisms, supported by de-risking mechanisms (including demand signals). (4) Manage credit risk effectively to work with emerging datasets and strengthen climate impact data capabilities. (5) Secure active and sustained senior leadership support.
