During this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, NMK Electronics, a Midwich Group company and a leader in AV distribution, partnered with AVIXA for the #AccelerateAction2025 event. This event took place at the NMK Experience Center in Al Quoz, Dubai, and brought together over 65 women from the AV industry to advocate for meaningful change.
Brands such as Shure, Bose Professional, Barco ClickShare, and Microsoft showed their support for this initiative, reinforcing their commitment to inclusivity and the advancement of women in the AV field. According to reports from NMK, only 4% of women in the AV sector have received Certified Technical Specialist (CTS) certification. In the GCC region, there are currently 350 certified males but only 16 CTS certified females.
“The numbers don’t lie; the gap in CTS certification is holding women back. And here’s the truth: women in AV are just as capable, just as skilled, and just as deserving of opportunities. It is time to change the narrative,” said Ekta Puthran, Director Sales and Regional Marketing at Barco.
According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 (approximately five generations from now) to achieve full gender parity, which is over a century before equality becomes the norm.
“We cannot afford to wait 135 years for gender parity; the time to act is now. Accelerating action means ensuring that women in AV & Tech have equal opportunities to thrive, lead, and shape the industry’s future. The good news is, many men are already stepping up, advocating for inclusion, and driving change. Together, we can build a more balanced and progressive AV & Tech industry for all,” said Maleeha Riaz, Marketing Manager at NMK Electronics.
At the #AccelerateAction2025 event, NMK and AVIXA awarded six CTS certifications to aspiring women in the AV industry. “Education and accreditation are vital for breaking down barriers,” stated Nicolas Cox, managing director at NMK Electronics. “To increase the representation of women in leadership roles within AV, we must ensure they have access to the same training and credentials as their male counterparts.”
During #AccelerateAction2025, Miriam Sablouni, a UAE-based audio engineer at Levels AV, shared her experiences as a woman navigating the challenges of a highly technical field in the AV industry. She remarked, “I often get asked, especially by men in the industry, why I chose this field, as if it’s unusual to see a woman working in sound engineering. For me, that challenge is exactly what makes it so rewarding. It is a mentally demanding job, and I love pushing myself beyond expectations. The perception that AV is a male-dominated field is only true until more women step in and prove otherwise. This industry isn’t about gender; it’s about passion, skill, and the willingness to take on challenges. Women belong here just as much as anyone else.” Miriam’s words highlighted not only the alienation women may face in the industry but also the strength and passion required to thrive. She emphasized the need for an industry that embraces talent, regardless of gender.
#AccelerateAction2025 not only focused on professional growth but also emphasized mental resilience, emotional intelligence, and confidence-building through sessions on meditation, yoga, and breathing techniques. Additionally, there were workshops on leading with emotional intelligence, as well as talks on mental resilience and body confidence.
A highlight of the event was the Pledge Wall, where participants and industry leaders came together to commit to actionable change through mentorship, advocacy, or simply creating more opportunities for women in the audiovisual industry. This served as a powerful visual representation of collective responsibility and the shared vision for a more inclusive future in the industry.
