In a remarkable achievement, General Motors Middle East has been named one of the top 10 Best Companies for Women in the Gulf by Avtar and Seramount. This inaugural accolade reflects our steadfast commitment to inclusivity and our mission to foster a clean, safe, and equitable world.
The award recognizes companies for their gender inclusion efforts, as assessed in their applications. GM extends its gratitude to all stakeholders and leadership for cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued. The automotive leader takes pride in the achievements of its women, whose diverse perspectives and skills are driving change in the automotive industry.
Some of its initiatives include unconscious bias training, targeted development programs, and mentoring, have significantly enhanced career opportunities for women in STEM and leadership roles. Notably, 35% of the managerial positions at GM are occupied by women, underscoring its commitment to gender balance. GM is also among the 18 UAE companies pledging to have women in 30% of leadership roles by 2025, having earned Gold Level Excellence at the UAE Gender Balance Council’s SDG 5 Pledge.
“In today's hyper competitive and evolving corporate landscape, fostering and driving gender diversity is a competitive advantage which enables multiple viewpoints at the table and building a culture inherently primed for success. We see contributions of women in the workplace as crucial across all industries, but especially in those that are historically male led, such as the automotive space. Closing the gender gap is an important focus for us, as we envision a future in mobility that is led by Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion. We thank Avtar and Seramount for recognizing our efforts and look forward to advancing our diverse, gender-balanced workforce,” said Jack Uppal, GM Africa and Middle East, President and Managing Director.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President, Avtar Group, said, “It is incredible to see the companies that are not just champions for women in the workplace, but pioneers for progress in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) region. The inaugural edition of Best Companies for Women in Gulf has presented comprehensive data towards advancing women’s representation at workplaces in the GCC region…The commitment of those companies that participated in BCWG are fostering an environment where women can thrive is not just good for business, it's a catalyst for a brighter, more inclusive future for all. The top 10 listers are paving the way for a brighter future one where the GCC region is a leader not just in industry, but also in gender equality.”
Subha V. Barry, President, Seramount added, “Seramount and Avtar are both deeply committed to global diversity and are thrilled with the results of the inaugural Best Companies study in the Gulf region. The data tells us that the Top 10 Companies for Women in the Gulf are passionately committed to the goal of gender diversity. Through initiatives such as sponsorship, mentorship, ERG programs, and benefits that support working mothers, these companies are leading the way toward inclusive progress. At Seramount, we are proud to honour these forward-thinking organizations.”