Helping women realise the sky is the limit
Empowering women and recognising institutions that enable their success.
Empowerment of women is often discussed in forums, seminars, and global platforms, yet its true impact lies in tangible action, leadership, and institutional commitment. In today’s evolving world, empowering women is not only a social imperative but a strategic priority for sustainable growth and inclusive development.
WOMANi is a global platform dedicated to advancing women’s leadership while also recognising the organisations and institutions that actively support, promote, and enable their progress. Through its report, awards, and strategic initiatives, WOMANi brings together individuals and organisations that are shaping the future of Islamic economies and beyond.
The initiative aims to raise awareness, provide opportunities, and celebrate both individual achievements and institutional excellence in fostering diversity, inclusion, and women’s empowerment. By doing so, WOMANi highlights best practices, leadership journeys, and impactful contributions across markets and sectors.
This independence and inclusion are fundamental to building a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous global economy, and align closely with broader sustainable development objectives.
While women have held leadership roles throughout history, they continue to remain underrepresented across industries. WOMANi seeks to contribute to changing this narrative by recognising excellence, encouraging leadership, and promoting environments where women can thrive.
WOMANi is committed to supporting a future where women and organisations together drive progress in a more inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking global landscape.
WOMANi
PATRON-IN-CHIEF
STELLA COX, CBE
It is almost ten years since WOMANi embarked upon its mission to raise awareness of influential women who are active in Islamic finance and business. During the time elapsed since, we have witnessed a transformation within our Islamic financial services industry, apparent also within various other halal economy sectors that are very closely aligned with us, as we have grown year upon year and extended our footprint into new markets, sectors and geographies. READ FULL MESSAGE >>
WOMANi connects, inspires, and champions a global network of women and institutions shaping Islamic business and finance
Empower women and the organisations that support their growth
Provide a platform for leaders and institutions to contribute to industry dialogue and strengthen their global profiles
Celebrate individual excellence and institutional achievements
Create opportunities for the next generation of female professionals and forward-looking organisations
Empowering one million women
WOMANi aims to recognise and connect leading women across Islamic business and finance while also highlighting the institutions that enable their growth and leadership. Since 2013, the initiative has engaged and supported over 5,000 women globally, and continues to expand its reach by advancing women’s leadership across government, business, and the social sector.
Over the next five to ten years, WOMANi aims to further scale its impact by empowering over 100,000 women through its programmes, partnerships, and global platform.
By bringing together individuals and organisations, WOMANi contributes to building a more inclusive and forward-looking global Islamic economy.
Empowered women since 2013
Empowering women over the next 5 to 10 years
WOMANi Symposium
The WOMANi Symposium is a flagship platform that brings together leading women and influential institutions from across the global Islamic business and finance ecosystem to engage in meaningful dialogue on gender diversity, leadership, and inclusion.
The Symposium provides a space for senior professionals, policymakers, and organisations to exchange perspectives, share best practices, and explore strategies that advance women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles.
As part of the broader WOMANi Programme, the Symposium contributes to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable global industry by connecting individuals and institutions committed to driving progress and impact.
WOMANi Awards
The WOMANi Awards recognise outstanding achievements of women and the organisations that enable their success across Islamic business and finance. The awards celebrate both individual excellence and institutional leadership in advancing women’s empowerment, diversity, and inclusion.
The awards recognise both individual excellence and institutional leadership in advancing women’s empowerment, diversity, and inclusion. Through a structured nomination and evaluation process, WOMANi identifies leaders and organisations demonstrating measurable impact, strategic commitment, and forward-looking initiatives.
Open to institutions and individuals globally, the WOMANi Awards provide a credible platform to showcase leadership, innovation, and contributions that are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable industry.
While the WOMANi Programme also curates the Top 500 Most Influential Women in Islamic Business and Finance as part of its research initiatives, the WOMANi Awards operate independently through a dedicated nomination and assessment process.
Leadership
Recognising outstanding individual achievements
Institutional Excellence
Highlighting organisations driving gender diversity and inclusion
Industry Impact
Celebrating contributions shaping the future of the industry
Changing lives; one hundred WOMANi a year
Our awardees are eminent women who have pushed the frontiers of women leadership and paved a path for others to follow in their footsteps. They have become incredible role models for their countries and serve as an inspiration across industries and generations.
An open forum for all
WOMANi Awards act as a flagship and high-profile platform to support the Islamic business and finance industry in achieving gender balance and gender equality.
Changing the notion of women empowerment
Women empowerment is about having the right to do things the way they want and to take opportunities that are presented to them with zero limitation and without prejudice.
Support the cause of women empowerment
Industries are investing in gender diversity and female workforce, creating a creative and sustainable work environment that is increasing profits.
Women are leading change
There has never been a better time to celebrate women moving the industry forward. Businesses and individuals are realising the cost of losing female talent.
Raising women to the limelight
WOMANi places the decision-making torch in their hands enabling them to light up all the spheres of life, to ensure long-term sustainability of the status of women in society.