Global company launches regional female leadership strategy with Middle East branch of GEWN
Dubai, November 24, 2004: General Electric (GE) today announced that its Middle East division has set up a GE Women's Network (GEWN) regional group to spearhead a new leadership initiative. The GEWN, which reflects the company's commitment to women's professional development and career growth, is a voluntary organisation aimed at fostering the advancement of female leaders throughout its businesses.
The initiative is part of a strategy that is having a profound impact on GE's global business. By last year some 12 % of all middle-management positions in GE were held by women, double the proportion that existed in 1998. In addition, GE's women staff now represent 14 % of all senior executives in the company, growing from 10 % in 1998.
The GEWN was developed in 1997 in the U.S. as a platform for women from GE's various businesses to discuss issues surrounding women and advancement and in 1998 the organisation spread out beyond its U.S. boundaries. The number of professional women in the worldwide network has grown to more than 20,000 globally and there are more than 40 hubs in GE's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) division.
More than 40 members from GE's UAE operations have signed up to be a part of the initiative and the total is expected to increase rapidly, particularly as the other GCC countries and the Levant come on board.
Veronica Luppi, GEWN's Middle East Region Leader said: "GEWN will help our female professional staff develop in line with the growth of GE's Middle East businesses. The aim is to encourage diversity in GE's leadership team. Through skill development training and mentorship programmes, we believe we are setting women on the right track to become future leaders in GE."
GEWN in the Middle East is a cross-cultural group of professional women, uniting the talents and experiences of more than 14 nationalities and working towards the common goal of career growth. The Network will enable members to learn and develop through seminars and best-practice sharing and will act as a forum for networking with senior business leaders and management.
Nabil Habayeb, President, GE Middle East and Africa, added: "With the GEWN, female employees in the region will now have more opportunities to learn from leaders and to develop the skills and talent needed to be a part of GE's leadership team. By involving women in leadership training and providing the environment for them to connect with their peers, GEWN Middle East hopes to be instrumental in facilitating the achievement of women's career goals."
GE is recognized as a pioneer for women's professional development, and received the prestigious Catalyst Award earlier this year for its efforts to advance women employees. It has also been rated one of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers, by Working Mother magazine in 2003.
The GE Women's Network (GEWN) is a voluntary organization with the mission of fostering professional women's development to help grow, attract and retain successful women throughout GE. Development is focused on leadership, advancement and career-broadening opportunities through a variety of tools including information, education and networking with other women to learn best practices.
GE has been active in the Gulf since 1933. Its activities in the region are conducted through direct presence, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and a wide network of distributors. GE has completed strategic projects in various hi-tech industrial sectors, defence-related contracts and major infrastructure developments.
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
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