Dubai, UAE – The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is often portrayed as a place where women have limited access to education and career opportunities. However, recent trends suggest otherwise. Women in the region are breaking barriers and making significant contributions to the tech industry, thanks to the investment made by educational institutions and their own hard work and dedication.
Anastasia Denisova, CEO of Realiste MENA,, rightly points out that the greatest contribution to this trend was made by educational institutions in the region. Many countries in the MENA region have invested in education and provided better access to technology-related fields, resulting in women graduating with engineering degrees at higher rates than more technologically advanced countries such as the US, the UK, and Japan. This is an excellent example of how education can play a transformative role in empowering women.
The impact of this investment is apparent, as women in the MENA countries comprise nearly half, and sometimes more, of STEM students at the university level. This trend has resulted in women playing a significant role in high-profile tech projects in the region, such as the UAE’s Mars Hope probe, where women made up 80 percent of the scientists involved. This demonstrates that women are not only pursuing STEM degrees but also excelling in their chosen fields and making significant contributions to technological advancements.
Moreover, women who have accomplished notable feats in the business field become role models for others and provide support to the women’s community. Eleven of the 18 Arab states have a majority of female science graduates. It is inspiring to see Aisha Bin Bishr, Vice Chairwoman at Emaar Development, and Fatima Al Jaber, who serves as a Board member and Head of the Projects Committee at Al Jaber Group, among others, serve as examples of exceptional women who have achieved success in their careers.
It is clear that the investment made by educational institutions and the hard work of women in the MENA region are contributing to a positive trend toward women’s empowerment in STEM fields. Women are breaking down barriers, pursuing higher education, and excelling in their chosen fields. We should celebrate these achievements and continue to support women’s education and career opportunities in the region. By doing so, we can empower more women to reach their full potential and contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the region.
The tech industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but in recent years, women have been increasingly making their mark in the sector, particularly in the field of technology. The MENA region, in particular, has seen a rise in the number of women taking on leadership roles in real estate tech companies, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry.
According to a report by McKinsey, gender-diverse companies are 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability compared to their peers. This suggests that the rise of women leaders in the real estate tech industry could have significant economic benefits for the MENA region.
One such leader is Anastasia, the CEO of Realiste MENA, a proptech startup based in Dubai that uses artificial intelligence to digitize global housing markets and make them more efficient, transparent, and attractive to property investors. Realiste MENA covers 20 cities worldwide, including Dubai, New York, London, and Riyadh, and aims to expand its presence to over 30 additional cities by the end of 2023. Under Anastasia’s leadership, Realiste MENA has integrated with 27 real estate developers in Dubai, attracted more than 50,000 users, and increased monthly revenue in Dubai from zero to $1M by the end of 2022.
“I believe that the greatest contribution was made by educational institutions. Many countries in the region invest in education and provide better access to technology-related fields, resulting in women graduating with engineering degrees at higher rates than more technologically advanced countries such as the US, the UK, and Japan. In some Gulf states, more than half of engineering students are female.
Overall, women in the MENA countries comprise nearly half, and sometimes more, of STEM students at the university level. Eleven of the 18 Arab states have a majority of female science graduates.
“I have also observed that women who have accomplished notable feats in the business field become role models for others and provide support to the women’s community”, she said.
Her advisory board includes several individuals who serve as such examples. One such person is Aisha Bin Bishr, Vice Chairwoman at Emaar Development, who was recently recognized by Forbes Middle East as one of the 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen of 2023. Another exceptional role model is Fatima Al Jaber, who serves as a Board member and Head of the Projects Committee at Al Jaber Group, one of the Middle East’s most prominent construction and infrastructure companies.
Anastasia’s success is a testament to the crucial role that women play in MENA’s real estate technology industry. Women are driving innovation and progress in the region, from startups like Realiste MENA to established companies like Emaar, which is led by Aisha Bin Bishr, Vice Chairwoman of the Board. The MENA region has long been known for its conservative attitudes towards women in the workplace, but the growing number of female leaders in the real estate technology industry is helping to break down these barriers and create new opportunities for women. Anastasia believes that women may make up to 30% of the tech industry in the MENA region by 2030.
Women are breaking down barriers in the real estate tech industry and inspiring a new generation of female entrepreneurs to pursue careers in the field. According to a report by the Dubai Future Foundation, women now make up 45 percent of the UAE’s startup workforce, a significant increase from just a few years ago.
It is clear that women are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the MENA real estate tech industry. By promoting gender diversity and inclusion, these women leaders are not only paving the way for future generations but also contributing to the economic growth and success of the region as a whole.