Sharjah: NAMA Women Advancement has successfully concluded the second edition of its Advanced Financial Literacy in Investment Programme, equipping 32 women with the necessary skills to enhance their financial and investment capabilities, thereby enabling them to make more informed and independent financial decisions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme was conducted in collaboration with the Emirates Institute of Finance and saw the participation of key financial entities such as Sharjah Islamic Bank, National Bonds, Baitukum, and Alef Group. Over the course of three weeks, the initiative provided participants with a blend of interactive learning, practical applications, and personalized mentoring sessions. These sessions furnished attendees with essential tools for assessing their financial situations, setting financial goals, comparing investment options, and making decisions that factor in returns, risk, liquidity, and long-term objectives.
Interactive workshops, case studies, and guidance from experts facilitated a deeper understanding of financial planning, investment decision-making, and wealth-building principles. Participants were encouraged to apply these key concepts to real-world financial scenarios. Mariam Al Hammadi, Director-General of NAMA Women Advancement, emphasized the program's role in broadening participants' understanding of investment, linking everyday financial decisions to investment opportunities, digital investing platforms, Sharia-compliant financial products, and long-term financial planning. This holistic approach enables women to assess financial decisions with greater confidence and choose paths that align with their personal goals and circumstances.
The programme transitioned from personal financial management to introducing various investment instruments, including deposits, savings accounts, bonds, sukuk, equities, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and low-risk real estate investment options. Participants learned about the generation of returns, associated risks and liquidity, and the importance of diversified portfolios. The training also underscored the long-term impact of fees and trading commissions on investment performance.
Additionally, the programme educated participants on Islamic finance principles, highlighting distinctions between Islamic and conventional financial systems. Concepts such as murabaha, mudaraba, and musharaka were explained, alongside how returns in Islamic finance are tied to trade, leasing arrangements, assets, and genuine economic activities.
A digital investment component introduced participants to the UAE's regulatory environment for financial markets and investment platforms. They learned about obtaining investor numbers, opening and securing investment accounts, and using trading simulation tools before engaging in live markets. The training included practical exercises on digital and mobile investment platforms, focusing on the fees related to trading, withdrawals, and account management, and how these factors influence investment outcomes.
The programme also delved into long-term financial planning and retirement options, introducing the concept of financial independence. It emphasized the stage at which income generated through investments and assets covers living expenses, reducing reliance on employment as the sole income source. Upon completing the training programme, participants engaged in one-to-one mentoring sessions to discuss their personal financial priorities and investment-related queries with experts.