Boeing inspires Middle Eastern women to explore aerospace opportunities

The platform features female role models from the region’s aerospace industry sharing their personal and professional journeys. Their stories will help raise awareness of the many career paths the industry has to offer and will provide practical advice for young female graduates to make informed career choices.

'Pick Up Your Wings and Fly' was unveiled during the ‘STEM Major Exploration Fair’ organised by Amideast and Boeing in Dubai, which brought together about 150 students from the UAE. 

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said: "We are incredibly proud to launch this dynamic community aimed at inspiring the next generation of female leaders in the Middle East to choose aerospace. At Boeing, we are deeply committed to driving female participation in STEM and advancing gender diversity, especially in aerospace. By following the UAE’s example of empowering women and championing their growth, we hope to help shape a future where women lead and innovate in this exciting industry."

Women are significantly underrepresented in the aerospace industry, and in the Middle East they represent just 5% of aviation professionals, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Supported by government efforts, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and youth employability programmes, the Middle East is seeing encouraging strides towards greater female representation in aerospace.

Governments in the Middle East are implementing initiatives to ensure equal opportunities for women in various economic sectors, including aerospace. In the UAE, 15 companies, including Boeing, signed the UAE Gender Pledge, aiming to achieve a 30% representation of women in leadership roles by 2025. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 promotes women’s leadership and economic empowerment. Similarly, Egypt is enhancing access to aerospace training in line with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030. In addition, Qatar is spearheading educational initiatives to boost female participation in STEM fields.

“'Pick Up Your Wings and Fly' aims to compliment and accelerate these concerted efforts by showcasing inspiring stories and offering young women practical guidance as they consider their future in our dynamic industry”, said Zeina El Hakam, communications manager at Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia.