Contacts: Sylvia Perry info@aiwfonline.com; Nadereh Chamlou: 202- 458-0473; nchamlou@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, July 1, 2008 - Arab women, given the right environment, can be successful entrepreneurs, influential political leaders, and formidable global business managers. Refuting stereotypes of Arab women as hidden and powerless, representatives from both the public and private sector testified to the many achievements of Arab women throughout the Middle East during the first U.S.- based conference of the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF). Hosted by the Word Bank Middle East North Africa Region in Washington, D.C. from June 22-24, the conference drew participants from over 20 countries including the United States, Canada, Europe, and, of course, the Middle East. The conference was supported by a number of global private partners of AIWF, such as Pepsico International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Shell and DLAPiper. The goal of the conference, titled “Partners for Change: Realizing the Potential of Arab Women in the Private and Public Sector”, was to stimulate dialogue between Arab and international policymakers and entrepreneurs to remove road-blocks to women’s gainful participation in Arab politics, Arab economies, and Arab societies. The significance of such a dialogue was underscored by Robert B. Zoellick, President of the World Bank, at the opening session. “Women continue to trail men in labor force participation, access to credit and the income they generate. This is not fair. It’s also not smart economics,” said Mr. Zoellick. “Studies show that investments in women yield large economic and social returns. We need to press ahead to overcome barriers, create opportunities, and recognize success. With your help, The World Bank will be in the forefront of putting gender equality and the empowerment of women at the heart of our development agenda.” Women from all over the Middle East, each successful business entrepreneurs in their own right, came together for two days to hear ministers such as Dr. Sharifa Khalfan Al Yahyai, Minister of Human Rights in Oman, Hala Bseisu Lattouf, Minister of Social Development in Jordan, and Dr. HE Huda Ali Al-Ban , Minister of Human Rights in Yeman, talk about the gains women have made in the region. It was also evident, however, that more progress needs to be made. Despite the rising rate of participation of young Arab women in higher education, resulting in a pool of qualified potential employees, the number of graduates who actually move into the work force in countries within the MENA region remains low. At the end of the two days, Nadereh Chamlou, Senior Advisor and gender specialist for the MENA region, expressed confidence that the conference had “showcased these accomplished, dedicated and successful Arab women as role models for future generations in the Middle East, a side to Arab women that is not adequately covered in the media.” London-based AIWF was established in 2001 as a non-profit organization to bring together women from the Arab world with those from across the international community. Its goal is to serve as the voice of Arab women in business and government, through a series of global initiatives, conferences, and programs. “It is truly representative of the direction that the region is taking, and of our continuing commitment to the promotion of cross-cultural diversity, connectivity and understanding between the Arab world and the international community through women,“ says Haifa Fahoum Al-Kaylani, Founder and Chair of AIWF. ### |
