'Now I know how to plan': Sharjah women learn budgeting, saving through new initiative

Khaleej Times

20-06-2025

NAMA Women Advancement has launched a financial literacy programme across Sharjah to help women build essential money management skills and take greater control of their financial futures.
Nearly 200 women from Sharjah city, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, and Al Madam took part in the initiative, which provided practical training in budgeting, saving, and spending. Led by financial consultant Salah Al Halyan, the sessions aimed to equip women with tools to apply financial concepts to daily life such as creating monthly budgets or evaluating the risks of borrowing.
Mariam Al Naqbi, a participant from Al Madam, began discussing savings habits with her children at the dinner table after completing the course. 'Money used to feel stressful,' she said. 'Now it feels like something I can plan and manage.'
In Kalba, Latifa Al Mulla said the programme gave her a clearer picture of her monthly expenses. 'I used to feel overwhelmed. Now I know where the money goes, and I can make better choices.'
For some, the programme opened new doors. One participant from Dibba Al Hisn said she had long put off starting a small business due to financial uncertainty. 'I used to think finance was too complex. But now I know how to plan and begin with what I already have.'
The programme targets women at different stages of their professional and family lives and reflects NAMA's broader efforts to build long-term economic resilience through financial understanding.
While focused on individual experiences, the initiative also aligns with national goals. According to the UAE Ministry of Finance, women now make up 54.7 per cent of federal financial sector employees and hold 42.8 per cent of leadership roles. Emirati women also account for over 75 per cent of the overall workforce in finance, with young women representing 78.12 per cent of youth in the sector.
Under the leadership of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, the organisation continues to invest in initiatives that build women's capacity to actively participate in and lead the UAE's economic development.
Participants have already begun applying what they've learned, drafting savings plans and managing their household budgets more carefully. For many, the programme has marked a turning point in how they think about and use money.