National Bonds Launches Ahed Council to Advance Women’s Financial Wellbeing in the UAE

National Bonds, the UAE’s Sharia-compliant savings and investment company, has launched the Ahed Council, an open-membership community advisory platform aimed at strengthening women’s financial wellbeing and supporting the country’s savings culture.

The initiative was announced in conjunction with Emirati Women’s Day 2026, being celebrated under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”

Open to Women Across the UAE

Unlike conventional advisory councils with limited membership, Ahed Council is open to women across the UAE from diverse demographic and social backgrounds.

The platform will organise dialogue sessions for different segments of society to better understand their financial priorities, challenges and aspirations. Insights gathered through these discussions will help National Bonds develop savings and investment products, services and initiatives that are more closely aligned with women’s needs.

The council will also contribute to identifying emerging savings and investment trends while supporting financial literacy and financial inclusion programmes.

Focus on Financial Empowerment

National Bonds said the initiative reflects its belief that women are important contributors to the UAE’s economic development and that financial empowerment can play a role in building more financially resilient families and communities.

Through Ahed Council, the company aims to increase participation in its Generation Shapers initiative to 100 per cent within three years, with progress to be reviewed periodically.

The council’s inaugural gathering brought participants together for discussions on strengthening saving habits and improving financial awareness among women in the UAE.

The session also highlighted Generation Shapers as a model for turning community feedback and recommendations into practical programmes supporting women and families.

National Bonds Highlights Women’s Role in Financial Wellbeing

Rehab Lootah, Deputy Group CEO of National Bonds, said the launch of Ahed Council reflects the company’s commitment to involving women in shaping the future of financial wellbeing.

She noted that the council was intentionally designed as an inclusive platform so that National Bonds can listen to women from different backgrounds and better understand their individual financial needs.

Lootah added that financial empowerment extends beyond encouraging savings, contributing instead to stronger families and a more sustainable society.

She also expressed appreciation for the women who participated in the council’s discussions, saying their experiences and perspectives would help inform future initiatives aimed at women, families and the wider community.

Supporting the UAE’s Financial Awareness Goals

The Ahed Council forms part of National Bonds’ activities marking Emirati Women’s Day and supports its broader efforts to promote economic and financial empowerment among women.

By creating a platform for women to contribute directly to discussions around savings, investment and financial literacy, National Bonds aims to develop initiatives that reflect the changing needs of women across different stages of life.

The company said the initiative also reinforces the role of women as active participants in building a financially aware, stable and prosperous future for UAE families and society.