Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity
Our passion in building an Inclusive, Diverse and Equitable (IDE) organization
Our diversity and inclusion pillars consist of five strategic programs:
- IDEU, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity University
- WE, our gender diversity initiative;
- ZY, our youth empowerment program
- WE ABLE, our disability inclusion program
- BE WELL, our employee wellness program
Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity University.
Introduction
WE, Zain’s Women Empowerment initiative, was created in 2017 under the vision of our Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader AlKharafi. Initially launched under the name of Women Empowerment, it was later modified to a more inclusive name: WE. With women making up 14.5% of Zain’s leadership pool, WE established a target to be achieved by the end 2030: increase women leadership to 30%. With the support of our agents of change, our WE Champions, WE has launched many initiatives that support the fostering of a more diverse and inclusive Zain. Whether it is culture transformation, the introduction of inclusive policies, leadership development programs; and sponsoring women to attend the prestigious ESADE Business School to complete their MBAs; WE’s main focus is to create an environment that is empowering for all and that is equally inclusive and diverse to both women
Best Workplace for Women – 2024
Zain Group has been honored in the Fast Company Middle East’s Best Workplaces for Women 2024 list as the winner of the large Enterprise category; an acknowledgement that signifies more than just an award as it validates Zain’s unwavering commitment to DEI into all aspects of the business.
The inaugural edition of Best Workplaces for Women recognizes companies across the Middle East that are empowering women by creating an inclusive environment, and the presence of Zain Group on the list, among other reputable companies, is an affirmation of the company’s corporate leadership in this area.
Outstanding Sector Leadership and Growth - 2023
Zain Group’s ground-breaking efforts in DEI within the company were recognized with a prestigious award at the prestigious SAMENA Council endorsed MEA Business Magazine Technology Achievement Awards 2023! This award for “Outstanding Se ctor Leadership and Growth” recognizes Zain’s DEI commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and the broader industry, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for all.
The awards presentation took place during GITEX Global 2023 in Dubai by leading regional business publication MEA Business in coordination with SAMENA Council, were part of a multi-sector recognition awards program aimed at highlighting significant technology achievements in the ICT industry.
Women Empowerment - 2023
Zain was presented with the Championship Award in Women Empowerment 2023 at the annual Global Good Governance Awards recently held in Dubai and organized by Cambridge IFA, a UK-based think tank. The Award celebrates individuals, governments, public and private sector institutions, and NGOs that exhibit governance and sustainability as their strategic priority.
The recognition of these prestigious awards is testament not only to how much Zain believes in its purpose, but how relentless the company is in driving systemic change and providing meaningful connectivity to the communities it serves. Zain is among the most engaged organizations across the globe with respect to ensuring its operations are a positive, inclusive force for good, with a commitment to continuing to instill these principles at the heart of the organization.
Best Women Development & Leadership Program – 2022
Zain has been recognized as having the Best Women Development & Leadership Program in the Middle East at the Future Workplace Awards 2022, held in Dubai on 15 November, organized by the UK based Informa Connect, a member of the FTSE 100. Future Workplace Awards (formerly known as Middle East HR Excellence Awards) showcases the best human resources (HR) talent in the Middle East and honors HR professionals in government and the private sector for their outstanding contributions in creating a high performing workforce for the future.
WE STEM is a community of an internal pool of experts working towards supporting tech competitions, mentorships, and development programs. The WE STEM team is upskilled through individual development tracks as well as hands on experience and cross organizational collaboration. Participating in datathons, hackathons, and other tech related projects, the WE STEM members thrive on empowering other women to succeed in their fields of technology.
The most recent WE Hackathon was held at Zain Jordan's offices in March 2024 celebration of International Women's Day! The Hackathon brought together a talented group of Zainers from across our operations to leverage AI and develop innovative solutions that advance our DEI strategy within the evolving future of work.
The ideas presented were centered on reducing bias in position ranking and simplifying recruitment processes to empower the workforce. We are excited about the potential of these solutions to create a more inclusive and empowered future for all. Congratulations to all the winners!
WE COACH is a coaching program established through running psychometric profiling for high potentials from Zain’s organization and receiving coaching from a certified practitioner. The program revolves around each individual’s needs relating to working within teams and corporations, with each meeting dissecting the report and focusing on the participant’s challenges and opportunities for growth. The coaching sessions are structured to yield a multitude of personal outcomes, such as enhancing self-awareness, fostering accelerated team building through effective communication and collaboration strategies, unlocking greater leadership potential through targeted skill development and feedback mechanisms, nurturing meaningful relationships by fostering trust and empathy, and facilitating continuous professional growth through tailored development plans and actionable insights.
The WE SUPPORT Program identified and developed 14 high-potential employees aligned with Zain's 4SIGHT Strategy. In the first month, the focus was on Growth Verticals, including sessions on FinTech, InsurTech, and Esports. The second month emphasized Zain's digital transformation journey, with sessions on agility, innovation, and data insights. The third month aimed to raise awareness of ICT solutions, showcasing Zain's offerings. As a result, the team generated 6 ideas aligned with the 4SIGHT Strategy, presented them to Zain's leadership.
WE SUCCEED, an 8-month exceptional developmental journey purely catered to our valued Middle Management employees. This program is built on years of McKinsey research into “adaptability”, the skillset that allows people to learn, grow and thrive even under difficult, changing and uncertain conditions. We believe that these adaptability skills will help to build aspirations and instill confidence in our employees while equipping them with the core skills and mindsets to be successful leaders.
ZY
Introduction
Since inception in 2018, Zain Youth has served with the focus to empower our youth employees with all the knowledge and resources they need to perform their best at the workplace. A variety of programs have been launched successfully over the course of the years that have had significant effects on the youth both in the organization and beyond.
ZY 2024
ZY has relaunched with a new vision built by the youth for the youth. This strategy is built to help prepare our youth for the future of work and enable them to make a significant positive impact across our organization. The first phase of ZY was redefining the scope to include all employees aged up to 30. This has brought us in line with most classifications around the world and ensured that we have a way to track our progress against other global organizations. You can learn more about what we have planned for 2024 in the next slides.
Generation Z by ZY
Generation Z is a one-year graduate development program aimed at identifying and assessing young graduates who innately possess leadership skills. The purpose of the program is to cultivate and harvest these skills and behaviors to further prepare these young leaders to assume positions within Zain.
Gen Z 25
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 24
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 23
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 22
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 21
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 20
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Gen Z 19
Generation-Z at its core is a developmental program with the aim of curating the leaders of tomorrow. A one year long graduate program that equips the youth with the skills to excel in the changing landscape of work, preparing these generations to assume leadership positions within Zain. This year Zain announces the selection of 6 Kuwaiti nationals who will undertake the demanding year long program for the cycle of 2024.
Adam Al Shimali, Hiyam Abu Ghazaleh, Khalid Al Qallaf, Mustafa Al Shemali, Reema Sadeq and Yousef Al Munea
Our Programs
ZY Counsel:
A select group of promising young talents, these individuals are known for their strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving abilities. This counsel will function as an advisory and change management team, tasked with tackling significant operational challenges.
ZY Mavericks:
The Mavericks are highly skilled youth individuals that are given opportunities to get exclusive certifications to train their fellow youth members through the ZY Learn program. The ZY Mavericks Network will be accessed by all departments in our organizations for support on various projects.
ZY Learn:
The training program built for the youth by the youth. This dynamic, interactive training initiative is catered towards skills that will prepare the youth for the future of work. This will encompass both soft and technical skills with a focus on the skill gaps identified to prepare our youth to become leaders.
WE ABLE
“ It is our duty to ensure WE are a diverse and inclusive workforce ”
Introduction
WE ABLE, Zain’s disability inclusion initiative, launched in 2019 in aims of making Zain disability inclusive by the year 2025. WE ABLE has four targets to ensure disability inclusion across all of Zain’s operations:
- Zain will increase the employment of people with disabilities across its operations.
- Zain will ensure all training programs are disability inclusive.
- it will ensure all Zain operating locations are accessible.
- Zain’s WE ABLE will identify and implement assistive technologies that will enable employees with disabilities to independently complete their tasks.
Zain has partnered with the ILO Global Business and Disability Network in October 2019 to help achieve these disability inclusion goals. Moreover, In July 2020 and through a global pandemic, Zain became a member of the Valuable 500, a global collective of CEOs who aim to place disability on the leadership agenda, proving Zain’s strategic goals will not be stopped. By joining the Valuable 500, Zain makes disability inclusion a priority.
In the words of the Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader Nasser AlKharafi: “It is our duty to ensure WE are a diverse and inclusive workplace. Now is the time.”
The Masters Employee Resource Group
The Masters Employee Resource Group is a pioneering initiative led by individuals with disabilities, for individuals with disabilities. This group represents the essence of true empowerment-where members are not only participants but decision-makers, leaders, and drivers of meaningful change.
Zain has developed a comprehensive inclusive hiring guidelines that cover various aspects of the recruitment and onboarding process to enhance the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the company’s operations, ultimately with the aim of increasing the employment of people with disabilities across its operations. These guidelines cover disability etiquette, job posting, interview processes, onboarding, and reasonable accommodations. By incorporating these guidelines, Zain aims to create an inclusive and accessible environment that enables individuals with disabilities to thrive in their careers.
Zain has developed a comprehensive inclusive hiring guidelines that cover various aspects of the recruitment and onboarding process to enhance the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the company’s operations, ultimately with the aim of increasing the employment of people with disabilities across its operations. These guidelines cover disability etiquette, job posting, interview processes, onboarding, and reasonable accommodations. By incorporating these guidelines, Zain aims to create an inclusive and accessible environment that enables individuals with disabilities to thrive in their careers.
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Zain has developed a comprehensive inclusive hiring guidelines that cover various aspects of the recruitment and onboarding process to enhance the employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the company’s operations, ultimately with the aim of increasing the employment of people with disabilities across its operations. These guidelines cover disability etiquette, job posting, interview processes, onboarding, and reasonable accommodations. By incorporating these guidelines, Zain aims to create an inclusive and accessible environment that enables individuals with disabilities to thrive in their careers.
About BE WELL
BE WELL is Zain’s employee mental health and wellness program, established in 2021 to foster a culture of wellbeing across all Zain operations. Anchored by our Four M’s, Mental Health, Movement, Mindfulness, and Me, BE WELL promotes holistic wellness and creates a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace where our people feel psychologically safe. This program reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and drives our Zain purpose of “Better Lives, Lasting Connections.”
Mindfulness and Awareness
BE WELL is Zain’s employee mental health and wellness program, established in 2021 to foster a culture of wellbeing across all Zain operations. Anchored by our Four M’s, Mental Health, Movement, Mindfulness, and Me, BE WELL promotes holistic wellness and creates a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace where our people feel psychologically safe. This program reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and drives our Zain purpose of “Better Lives, Lasting Connections.”
Mental Health Support
BE WELL is Zain’s employee mental health and wellness program, established in 2021 to foster a culture of wellbeing across all Zain operations. Anchored by our Four M’s, Mental Health, Movement, Mindfulness, and Me, BE WELL promotes holistic wellness and creates a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace where our people feel psychologically safe. This program reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and drives our Zain purpose of “Better Lives, Lasting Connections.”
Wellbeing Committee and Index
BE WELL is Zain’s employee mental health and wellness program, established in 2021 to foster a culture of wellbeing across all Zain operations. Anchored by our Four M’s, Mental Health, Movement, Mindfulness, and Me, BE WELL promotes holistic wellness and creates a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace where our people feel psychologically safe. This program reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and drives our Zain purpose of “Better Lives, Lasting Connections.”
Movement and Physical Wellbeing
BE WELL is Zain’s employee mental health and wellness program, established in 2021 to foster a culture of wellbeing across all Zain operations. Anchored by our Four M’s, Mental Health, Movement, Mindfulness, and Me, BE WELL promotes holistic wellness and creates a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace where our people feel psychologically safe. This program reflects our commitment to employee wellbeing and drives our Zain purpose of “Better Lives, Lasting Connections.”
D&I Magazine
IDE Reports
