Gulf Bank’s Women of Wisdom (WOW) is an initiative founded in 2017 and committed to the strategic development of women in the financial sector by empowering them in the workplace and promoting the advancement of female professionals towards achieving executive and leadership roles.

Led by Mrs. Salma Al Hajjaj, Chief Human Resources Officer at Gulf Bank, the primary objective of WOW is to provide a support system and an interactive platform for women at the bank to address the challenges and obstacles female professionals face in the corporate environment, and how to balance the pressures of familial commitments and career advancement.

A firm believer in the economic and social advantage of advancing female leadership in the private sector, Mrs. Al Hajjaj has been the leading force behind the progress of women leadership at Gulf Bank as the number of women in leadership positions has substantially increased over the past eight years registering Gulf Bank as leader in gender equity in Kuwait.

In June 2025, Gulf Bank launched the first edition of WOW Magazine, a publication that celebrates the strength, progress, and potential of the women of Gulf Bank. The magazine showcases personal stories, professional milestones, and the bank’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. It serves as a platform to inspire, inform, and empower women across the organization while reinforcing WOW’s mission to support female professionals and shape the next generation of women leaders in Kuwait’s financial sector.

Click Here to Read the First Edition of WOW Magazine (Bilingual)

Our Mission:

• To increase representation of women leaders in the financial sector by assisting more female professionals in achieving their goals and inspiring a new generation of young women.

Our Achievements:

• Established a WOW committee comprised of women professionals at Gulf Bank joining from across different business groups and functions and dedicated to the management and execution of initiatives and projects.

• Managed monthly gatherings and sessions open to all Gulf Bank female employees to exchange knowledge and share experiences.

• Invited external guests and experts.

• Promoted and attended numerous external forums and conferences in Kuwait focused on women’s advancement and empowerment.

• Increase professional development and training opportunities for women at Gulf Bank.

• Lead signatory to the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principle.

• Employed a specialist research agency to conduct a first of its kind large scale research in Kuwait on the topic of female empowerment to be published at a later stage.