By Dalia Mansour, Senior Field Marketing Manager for ANZ, ASEAN, and MEA, Sprinklr

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, the digital transformation sweeping across the Middle East region presents a unique opportunity for women to shape the future of these economies. As a leader in marketing and customer experience management at Sprinklr, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable ways in which women are bridging the gap between tradition and innovation in the Middle East. Today, I want to share my perspective on how this balance is not only redefining industries but also driving meaningful change across the Middle Eastern markets.

For centuries, the Middle East region has been steeped in rich cultural heritage and traditions that shape our social norms, business practices, and community values. At the same time, the digital revolution is transforming how we live, work, and interact. This juxtaposition of tradition and modernity poses both challenges and opportunities. One of the most inspiring developments is the increasing participation of women in leading roles in digital transformation. Their impact is evident across various sectors—from finance and healthcare to technology and customer experience management.

The digital renaissance in the Middle East

The GCC’s ambitious economic diversification strategies, exemplified by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, have opened unprecedented opportunities for women in technology and digital marketing. As these nations pivot away from oil dependency, they’re investing heavily in digital infrastructure, creating fertile ground for innovation. The World Bank highlights that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is vibrant and an engine for jobs.

However, challenges persist. The World Bank notes that in Jordan, 35% of engineering graduates are women, yet they represent less than 15% of the engineering workforce. This disparity underscores the need for continued efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment in the tech sector.

Women as digital pioneers

The influx of talent in product management, technology, and growth sectors throughout the Middle East represents the beginning of a new era. Women are increasingly among these pioneers, bringing fresh perspectives to traditionally male-dominated fields. Their approach often differs in meaningful ways—emphasizing collaboration, user experience, and cultural sensitivity in product development and marketing strategies.

What distinguishes digital transformation in the Middle East is the delicate balance between preserving cultural values and embracing innovation. Women tech leaders in the region aren’t simply adopting Western models; they’re creating indigenous approaches that respect local traditions while pushing boundaries.

This cultural intelligence represents a significant competitive advantage. By understanding local nuances, women are developing digital products and marketing strategies that connect more authentically with regional consumers. From e-commerce platforms that accommodate local shopping preferences to social media campaigns that respect cultural sensitivities, these innovations demonstrate how tradition and technology can coexist harmoniously.

Transforming business models

The impact of digital transformation in the Middle East is amplified by the contributions of women who are breaking stereotypes and challenging traditional gender roles. Across the GCC, women have become prominent figures in tech and business. Their success is not just measured by the technologies they implement, but also by the way they inspire change within their organizations and communities.

For instance, initiatives that promote mentorship and professional development are enabling a new generation of female leaders. These programs encourage young women to explore careers in technology and digital marketing—fields that were once considered unconventional for them. The ripple effect is significant: as more women enter these sectors, we see an increase in diverse perspectives that enrich the decision-making process and foster a culture of innovation.

We’re seeing family businesses in the Middle East economy undergoing significant transitions, with women frequently driving these transformations, bringing fresh perspectives to established enterprises.

For the Middle East’s digital transformation to be sustainable, it must be inclusive and forward-thinking. Women leaders are often at the forefront of these cultural shifts, championing merit-based advancement and professional development initiatives. Their leadership approaches typically emphasize team collaboration, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven innovation qualities that enhance organizational resilience in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Challenges and opportunities

The path hasn’t been without obstacles. The region’s digital ecosystem is still developing, and traditional expectations about women’s roles persist in various degrees across the region. However, these challenges have inspired creative solutions. Remote work, enabled by digital technologies, has provided women with greater flexibility to balance professional ambitions with family responsibilities.

Women in the GCC have shown remarkable resilience in navigating these challenges. They are quick at finding common ground leveraging technology to enhance traditional practices rather than replace them. For example, while digital marketing offers unprecedented reach and efficiency, it also demands authenticity. The key is to use digital tools in a way that reinforces, rather than diminishes, our cultural identity. By weaving together innovative strategies with time-tested values, women leaders are crafting narratives that not only drive business success but also uphold the spirit of our heritage.

Empowering digital transformation

At Sprinklr, we’re not just observing this transformation; we’re actively participating in and enabling it, with a strong focus on empowering women in leadership roles. Our recent launch of a local data hosting solution in Saudi Arabia through Google Cloud is a testament to our commitment to the region. This move allows organizations to comply with local data regulations while leveraging our unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform, making us the first customer experience platform with local hosting in Saudi Arabia on Google Cloud.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified through various initiatives that support women’s advancement in the tech industry. Sprinklr’s “We Care: Women” affinity team plays a crucial role in creating a sense of belonging and providing opportunities for women across the organization. Our “Women in Sales” program recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities for women in this field.

As we look toward the future, the role of women in the Middle East’s digital transformation will only grow more significant. The region’s young, tech-savvy population, combined with strong government support for digital initiatives, creates an ideal environment for innovation. Women are uniquely positioned to thrive in this context, bringing technical expertise alongside cultural understanding.

The challenge now is to accelerate this progress. This requires continued investment in education and mentorship programs for women in tech, policies that support work-life balance, and greater representation of women in leadership positions across the digital ecosystem.

The digital transformation of the Middle East is well underway, and women are not just participating—they’re leading the way forward, one innovation at a time. As we continue to balance tradition and innovation, the future looks bright for women in tech across the Middle East markets.