A support network for female PR professionals in the Middle East is due to be launched on International Women’s Day.

Women in PR Middle East, part of Global Women in PR, will act as a networking organisation for the region’s senior PR women to meet, share contacts, experiences and ideas, and draw attention to the major issues directly affecting women working in the PR industry today.

Felice Hurst, Managing Director of executive search consultancy Hanson Search in the Middle East, is to chair the new organisation, which plans to host events quarterly.

“There are many issues that have come to light regarding women in the PR industry in recent years,” she said. “The most startling being the under-representation of women in leadership roles, despite the fact that 67% of the industry is composed of females.”

Women in PR Middle East will be launched in Dubai on March 8  in conjunction with the launch of PRCA MENA, the Middle East branch of the Public Relations Consultants Association.

“By launching Women in PR ME and PRCA MENA, I believe we will be able to better address the challenges facing women in the industry in the Middle East, as well as better supporting our clients and industry partners by providing access to these professional bodies,” Hurst added.