July 2020 | Page 6

WE WE Progress, Actions and Events Following the WE kickoff workshop in 2020, each operating company in Zain Group was tasked with developing its own set of best suited actions to support the program. With over 50 initiatives identified and aimed at overcoming challenges to the fulfilment of WE goals, CEOs from Zain’s operating companies were presented with the ideas to support the Group-wide effort. Examples of programs include blind hiring to ensure an unbiased decision for recruitment, and succession planning, to allow for career growth for high performing employees. WE Champions Zain’s 2020 WE Champions are working as agents of change and pushing their individual operating companies towards reaching Group targets in relation to gender equality. Fatima Haider, WE Champion — Zain Bahrain, in her own words The key to passion, energy and belief is the maintenance of an ultimate purpose. A purpose that evolves, experience gain and acquirement of knowledge, are exactly why diversity and inclusion became a passion of mine. Culture, communication and employee engagement are some of my primary professional responsibilities as part of the Organizational Development Team, and since the formal adoption of the diversity and inclusion agenda at Zain, I promised myself I would drive change and be part of helping evolve mindsets within Zain Bahrain and the wider community. Diversity and inclusion is considered a guide to how we look at things, take decisions and accept differences. We become aware of our own biases when new dynamics are introduced into our environment. With the support of Zain, I was able to expand my knowledge by becoming certified in Inclusive Diversity and Unconscious Bias. I also received the opportunity to participate in the Centered Leadership Program, which drew together talented females from across the Group. With the support of Zain, Fatima Haider was able to expand her knowledge by becoming certified in Inclusive Diversity and Unconscious Bias I take pride in being a storyteller who shares success stories with the community and inspires people around me with details on how we undertook various initiatives in new ways. In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to Zain, a company that provides empowerment and the space to express one’s authenticity. I am grateful to be part of an inclusive and an open team and I believe that having an inclusive culture positively impacts our organizations and individuals, ultimately having a positive effect on communities. 4