Networks in  GCC countries

Dr.Nada Al Mutawa –center of strategic studies –kuwait university

The founding charter of the GCC commits the member countries to achieve coordination ,integration , and interdependence in order to achieve unity between them  identified areas are economic ,financial , commerce customs education and culture ,The most significant transformation is taking place in the area of female economic and political reforms , including education and liberation all this has a massive influence on all areas of society of which the most notable in the influence it is having on the role of women in society .(gcc-sg.org)

 Although in the GCC ,Gulf Cooperation Council were social structures are vital for political and economic empowerment , not only emerging  networks are important but also researchers believe that the lack of these networks is regarded  a major barrier against women’s success . Jamali(2009) .

Some of these networks  attract promising women recruits  , others  enhance business opportunities for women , other types are connective which  offer work life balance seminars ,developmental and  mentoring and business development and strategic such as business networks . Donnellon .A and Langowitz.N(2009)

Using networking to enhance women empowerment, international organizations

 have encouraged women  in the GCC join  networking

programs . (MENA- OECD march 2010)

 Looking deeper into women  networks characteristics , Researchers support the idea of the importance of entrepreneurial ,educational and political networks in developing countries and  consider the absence of networks as  a major barrier that women entrepreneurs face. knouse&Webb (2001), Stevenson (2000) .