Conversation With Sofana Dahlan

Each month, Gulf Business will feature an interview from the book Game Changers: How Women in the Arab World are Changing the Rules and Shaping the Future by David B. Jones, Sophie Le Ray and Radhika Punshi. In this issue, the authors speak to Sofana Dahlan, founder and chief executive officer of Tashkeil

- David B. Jones, Sophie Le Ray and Radhika Punshi

A lawyer by profession, Sofana Dahlan founded Tashkeil – a Saudi Arabia-based social enterprise that incubates and promotes creative entrepreneurs.

She was the first Saudi woman to be given permission to study law by the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education and was also the first Saudi to serve as fellow for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations on a tour of Europe and the United States.

What do you think are some of the biggest barriers for female entrepreneurs?

“In my opinion, in the entrepreneurial world men and women face the same set of challenges and barriers, regardless of gender. If we are talking particularly about Saudi Arabia, then women here also have to face some cultural restraints, such as restrictions on mobility, gender interactions, and so on.”

Why is it important for companies to invest specifically in female leadership?

“It is important for companies to utilise all available human recourses and capitalise on their competence. A study by Psychology Today reported that women do have an edge over men when it comes to emotional intelligence that comprises self-awareness, managing emotions, empathy and social skills. These are key leadership skills.

“Research by Catalyst also indicates that companies with more women leaders outperform companies with fewer or no women. Harvard University has also reported that companies with more women have a higher net profit margin. Hence, companies that invest in women do benefit in the long run.”

What are your thoughts about the experience of women in this region whose nationalities are different from yours?