This study explores the impact of gender diversity in audit committees on risk management within Gulf Cooperation Council firms. Analyzing data from 180 public companies over a decade, we found a negative correlation between the number of women on audit committees and operational risk, suggesting that female representation enhances risk management. However, this gender diversity does not significantly affect financial risk as measured by financial leverage. Women with accounting expertise positively influenced operational risk management but were associated with higher financial leverage, indicating a strategic approach to financial risk-taking. The presence of foreign women on audit committees and the size and frequency of committee meetings also played a role in risk management. Overall, our findings support increased gender diversity on audit committees as a strategic asset for effective risk management in GCC firms.