NAMA Women Advancement

What NAMA Women Advancement does

NAMA Women Advancement is a non-profit governmental institution headquartered in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, established in December 2015 under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah. The organization pursues women's empowerment through four pillars—Health, Education, Livelihood, and Status in Society—operated via research, policy advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships at local, regional, and international levels. Its flagship product is the Irtiqa Programme, dedicated to workplace gender equality and structured around three workstreams (business capacity, awareness and knowledge, advocacy and stakeholder engagement). The portfolio also includes the Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women's Education (a 2023-launched scholarship and research-grant vehicle) and a suite of international development programmes covering women's entrepreneurship, vocational training, peacebuilding, refugee health, and crisis-response education, delivered through named co-development partnerships with UN Women, Malala Fund, Save the Children, Education for Employment, The Big Heart Foundation, The Global Thinkers Forum, INARA, Depilex Smileagain Foundation, Nanyuki Spinners & Weavers, NICE Tanzania, and NUST Pakistan.

The business model is institutional rather than commercial: there is no published pricing and services are provided free of charge. Funding comes from the Government of Sharjah via the Executive Office of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, supplemented by multi-year co-funding from international development partners and the NAMA Fund. Distribution is partner-led and government-coordinated, with direct programme implementation for flagship initiatives like Irtiqa and the Jawaher Fund, channel/reseller-style delivery through international partner networks in target countries, and self-serve knowledge access via a public Digital Library. NAMA reports reaching 650,000+ women directly and indirectly across 35+ countries through 10+ strategic programmes, with discrete cumulative outcomes including 28,000 women skilled (UN Women Flagship Programme), 65,000 girls reached via radio education in Nigeria, and 600 women and girls trained in peacebuilding.

Underlying technology is minimal: NAMA operates a bilingual website (namawomen.ae), a Digital Library/E-Library for publications, and standard CRM-like contact channels. No proprietary software platform, AI/ML systems, APIs, mobile applications, or integrated technology stack is disclosed; operational delivery is executed through partner organizations on the ground rather than through NAMA-built infrastructure. The in-house team is small, with public job listings limited to corporate functions (Support Services, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, Finance).

Name

NAMA Women Advancement

Legal name

NAMA Women Advancement

Website

https://namawomen.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NAMA Women Advancement is a Sharjah-based governmental institution founded in 2015 under royal patronage that advances women's empowerment across Health, Education, Livelihood, and Status in Society through flagship programmes like Irtiqa and the Jawaher Fund, delivered via international development partnerships across 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Empowerment Programs

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

akta.pro primary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (BPAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAD), Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF), DEI, Equity & Inclusion Training (EDABAIAF)

Keywords

• Women empowerment programs
• Gender equality initiatives
• Vocational training services
• Educational scholarship funds
• Economic inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sharjah

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Institutional Funding: NAMA is established as a governmental institution under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, indicating primary funding from government sources.
2. International Partnerships and Donor Funding: The organization partners with international organizations and regional corporate leaders, implementing funded international projects through the NAMA Fund and various development programs supported by partner organizations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NAMA Women Advancement is a governmental institution that delivers a portfolio of women's empowerment programs covering economic empowerment, education, health, peacebuilding, and vocational training. It implements these programs through direct execution, scholarship funds, business incubation, training, and strategic partnerships with international organizations, operating across 35+ countries. Its core offerings include the Irtiqa workplace gender equality programme, the Jawaher Fund for women's education scholarships, the UN Women Flagship Programme Initiative, and a Digital Library of gender equality research.

Product overview

NAMA Women Advancement operates as a platform of interconnected empowerment programmes rather than a single unified software product. The portfolio includes the Irtiqa Programme (flagship workplace gender equality initiative), the Jawaher Fund for Women's Education (scholarship programme), and multiple international development programmes covering economic empowerment, education, health, peacebuilding, and vocational training. The Digital Library/E-Library serves as a knowledge resource platform publishing research on gender equality. The programmes work together through four pillars: Health, Education, Livelihood, and Status in Society, addressing women's empowerment across local, regional, and international levels through strategic partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Irtiqa (ارتقاء): A flagship initiative dedicated to promoting gender equality in the workplace and advancing women's empowerment through strategic business practices, focusing on building the business case for women's empowerment and aligning organizations with gender equitable principles.
• Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women's Education

Products and services

• Irtiqa Programme A flagship initiative dedicated to promoting gender equality in the workplace and advancing women's empowerment through strategic business practices, structured around building business capacity, raising awareness, and supporting advocacy and stakeholder engagement. It is for organizations seeking to embed gender equitable principles in their operations.
• Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women's Education Scholarship and research grant programme providing funding for women pursuing higher education, particularly in STEM, health, and social sciences. Designed for women students seeking financial support for higher education.
• Flagship Programme Initiative - Stimulating Equal Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs Global programme focused on promoting women-led businesses, enhancing access to skills, finance, and gender-responsive procurement in partnership with UN Women. For women entrepreneurs, particularly in South Africa and UAE.
• Girls Ambassadors for Peace Programme (GA4P) Programme empowering young women and girls in conflict-affected regions (Indonesia and Bangladesh) to become peacebuilders and leaders within their communities through training, educational toolkits, and entrepreneurship training.
• Athena MENA Virtual mentoring programme that connected mentors with women mentees from the MENA region to help them develop career skills and explore opportunities in business and employment.
• Investing in Women's Economic Inclusion Initiative providing job training and entrepreneurship skills to young women across Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt.
• Advancing Girls' Education in Nigeria Education programme using radio delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 65,000 girls in Nigeria with teacher training components.
• Salam Beirut Emergency relief and psychosocial support programme for vulnerable children following the Beirut port explosion, implemented in partnership with Save the Children and The Big Heart Foundation.
• Vocational Training and Workshop Construction Project in Nanyuki, Kenya Vocational training initiative providing instruction in spinning, knitting, dyeing, and weaving, empowering women with marketable skills in Kenya.
• Smile Again Project Support programme for survivors of acid and kerosene oil attacks in Pakistan, providing vocational training, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support.
• Women's Business Incubation (WBI) Project Business incubation programme empowering displaced and refugee women in Kurdistan and Iraq with income-generating skills and business training.
• NGO Empowerment Project Initiative supporting civil society organizations to diversify income sources and enhance sustainability through business training and funding in Zanzibar and Tanzania.
• Increasing Access to Medical and Mental Health Services Healthcare programme providing medical and mental health services to refugee girls in Lebanon and Turkey, addressing critical gaps in care.
• Digital Library (E-Library) Knowledge-sharing platform providing publications and reports on gender equality and inclusive economic and social growth, accessible to researchers, experts, educators, and advocates worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650,000+ women empowered directly and indirectly
• +10 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and flagship.

• NAMA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NGO Empowerment Project in partnership with NICE Tanzania (2024-Ongoing, 4 years). Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland. Supports civil society organizations to diversify income sources and enhance sustainability through business training and funding. Expected: 25 NGOs receive funding, 400 NGO staff and leaders trained.
• NICE TanzaniasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NGO Empowerment Project in Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland (2024-Ongoing, 4 years). Supports civil society organizations to diversify income sources and enhance sustainability through business training and funding.
• National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), PakistansupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women's Education (launched 2023) provides scholarships and research grants for women pursuing higher education, particularly in STEM, health, and social sciences. Current scholarships offered through NUST Pakistan.
• Depilex Smileagain FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Smile Again Project in Pakistan (2021-2022). Supported survivors of acid and kerosene oil attacks with vocational training, economic empowerment, and psychosocial support. 64 survivors received trauma-focused support and small business setups.
• INARAsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Women's Business Incubation (WBI) Project in Kurdistan and Iraq (2022-2023) and Increasing Access to Medical and Mental Health Services in Lebanon and Turkey (2021). Empowered displaced and refugee women with income-generating skills and business training, and provided medical/mental health services to refugee girls.
• Malala FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for Advancing Girls' Education in Nigeria (May-July 2020). Focused on providing education through radio during COVID-19 pandemic, reaching 65,000 girls. Greater engagement from girls than boys, 300 teachers trained to improve pedagogy.
• The Big Heart FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Multiple partnerships including Salam Beirut (with Save the Children), Vocational Training in Kenya, Women's Business Incubation in Iraq, and Healthcare Access for Refugees. Shared focus on humanitarian aid, vocational training, and women's empowerment across MENA and Africa.
• Save the ChildrensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Salam Beirut programme (2020-2021) following the Beirut port explosion. Provided emergency relief and psychosocial support to vulnerable children. 49 households received emergency aid, 507 children (254 girls) received mental health support.
• Nanyuki Spinners & WeaverssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Vocational Training and Workshop Construction Project in Nanyuki, Kenya (2020-2022). Provided vocational training in spinning, knitting, dyeing, and weaving. 300 women trained in spinning/dyeing skills, 35 women trained in weaving.
• Education for Employment (EFE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Investing in Women's Economic Inclusion programme (2019-2020) in Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt. Provided job training and entrepreneurship skills to young women across the Middle East. 7,449 youth trained (72% women), over 1,100 women launched small businesses.
• The Global Thinkers ForumsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for Athena MENA programme, a 2-year virtual mentorship initiative (2018-2020) connecting mentors with women mentees from the MENA region. 48 women mentored through 160 online sessions to develop career skills and explore business and employment opportunities.
• UN WomenflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Flagship Programme Initiative (2018-2022) promoting women-led businesses globally, in South Africa and UAE. Enhanced access to skills, finance, and gender-responsive procurement. 28,000 women improved skills, 8,471 accessed finance/services, 43 knowledge tools produced benefiting over 526,000 globally.
• The Global Network of Women PeacebuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership for the Girls Ambassadors for Peace Programme (GA4P), a 3-year initiative (2017-2019) empowering young women and girls in conflict-affected regions of Indonesia and Bangladesh to become peacebuilders and leaders. 600 women and girls trained, with public-private partnerships created and an educational toolkit produced.
• Executive Office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al QasimiflagshipOthers · 1 January 2015NAMA was established in December 2015 under the leadership and oversight of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. The Executive Office provides governance and support services for the institution.
• Government of SharjahflagshipOthers · 1 January 2015NAMA is a governmental institution established under the Government of Sharjah, representing the emirate's commitment to women's empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development and societal progress.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UN Women: UN agency dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment, globally operating through partnerships with governments and civil society. NAMA has run a flagship programme directly with UN Women (2018-2022) on women-led businesses, making the mission, partner profile, and target beneficiaries closely aligned.
• Malala Fund: Global non-profit championing girls' education and empowerment, particularly in developing regions. NAMA partnered with Malala Fund for the Advancing Girls' Education in Nigeria programme, sharing a focus on girls' access to schooling and female leadership development.
• Save the Children: International NGO focused on children's rights and welfare, including emergency response and education for girls. NAMA partnered with Save the Children for the Salam Beirut programme, sharing operational models of humanitarian relief and child/women-focused program delivery in MENA.
• Education for Employment (EFE): Non-profit focused on youth employability and entrepreneurship training in the Middle East and North Africa. NAMA partnered with EFE for the Investing in Women's Economic Inclusion programme (Jordan, Palestine, Egypt), closely aligning on MENA-focused job training for women.
• The Big Heart Foundation: UAE-registered humanitarian foundation supporting refugees, women, and children across MENA and Africa. NAMA has co-implemented multiple programmes with TBHF (Kenya vocational training, Iraq WBI, Lebanon/Turkey healthcare), making it a direct operational peer in regional humanitarian and women's empowerment work.
• Women for Women International: Global NGO delivering vocational training, rights awareness, and economic support to women in conflict-affected regions. Shares NAMA's mix of vocational skills, livelihoods, and women's rights advocacy in fragile geographies like Iraq, Kurdistan, and Lebanon.
• Vital Voices Global Partnership: Non-profit identifying and investing in women leaders across emerging economies through mentorship, training, and networks. Comparable to NAMA's Athena MENA virtual mentorship and broader economic empowerment programmes for women leaders.
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: Foundation supporting women entrepreneurs in the developing world, with strong MENA and Africa programs including financial inclusion and mentorship. Highly comparable to NAMA's Flagship Programme Initiative with UN Women on women-led businesses and access to finance.
• Global Fund for Women: International grantmaking foundation supporting women's rights organizations and feminist movements globally. Operates with a similar partnership-and-grant model across multiple regions and thematic priorities, aligning with NAMA's advocacy and grantmaking function.

Emerging players

• Women Deliver: Global advocacy organization focused on gender equality, health, and rights, convening conferences and partnerships across regions. Adjacent to NAMA in advocacy focus and convening function, but operates primarily through global conferences and policy advocacy rather than direct field implementation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/namawomen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NAMA Women Advancement