At the Khaleej Times Women’s Power Summit 2026 held in Dubai on Wednesday, a panel of finance and business leaders gathered to discuss women’s financial empowerment and the challenges they face in exercising control over their money. The conversation focused on the importance of women taking active roles in financial decision-making, especially as they climb corporate ranks and accumulate wealth.

Marilyn Pinto, founder of financial education firm KFI Global, opened the discussion by questioning how many women are directly involved in managing their finances. She highlighted that despite earning income, many women still defer financial decisions to male family members, noting, “Money is usually a man’s domain.” Pinto emphasized the need for women to confront this discomfort and develop their financial literacy and autonomy. “The time has come to feel and breathe and talk about things like this… build our own financial muscle,” she said.

Entrepreneur and adviser Jen Blandos, who rebuilt her business after the 2008 financial crisis through global travel and networking, shared her perspective on overcoming obstacles. She stressed that discomfort is part of growth, saying, “It won’t be comfortable. But I always say to myself, it (the discomfort) is temporary.”

The discussion then turned to practical support for women-led ventures in the UAE. When asked about how authorities, corporate buyers, and banks can assist women entrepreneurs, Blandos was clear that the solution is not additional training programs. “Women don’t need more training,” she stated. “We need access to financing, support, contracts, and investors.” She argued that fostering financial inclusion requires opening up capital and business opportunities rather than focusing solely on mentorship or education programs.

Amnah Ajmal, founder of Sheknows and author of The Vested Leader: Choosing People over Power, echoed the call for better sponsorship and networking. She suggested that women are often “over-mentored and under-sponsored,” emphasizing that while women have the competence and confidence, the crucial missing piece is access to influential networks that can provide support and opportunities. “Invest in your network,” Ajmal urged. “Get access to those people who are going to pick you up and that’s how we take it to a different level.”

The panel highlighted a growing recognition that financial security alone does not guarantee autonomy. They called for systemic shifts to enable women not only to earn but also to control and grow their wealth, ultimately achieving greater economic independence and impact in the business world.