Arab women's forum to focus on their many roles in society

Dubai: The Arab Women's Forum will take place on October 21 to 22 under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The forum emphasises the fundamental role of the Arab woman and her various powers and abilities in leadership, management, politics, business, education, media and beauty. More than 500 high-profile delegates and speakers from 30 countries will attend the forum. Speakers include women government ministers and parliamentarians, NGO heads, actresses, artists and journalists, as well as businessmen and other specialists.

Nadine Abou Zaki, chair of The New Arab Woman Forum, said in a press conference: "The topics discussed in the forum are vital and important for Arab women."

Future challenges

Nadine, editor-in-chief of Al Hasnaa magazine, said that topics are devoted to women who play different roles in their daily life, whom she called "women with multi faces" - wife, mother, employee, businesswoman and politician.

"The role of Arab women is no longer limited only to building a family" said Mazen Hayek, MBC Group Director of Marketing, Public Relations and commercial.

"Now she plays a vital role in steering change to become an effective member in facing current and future challenges."

The forum is being organised by the Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group and Al Hasnaa magazine, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Arab League, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) V-Day Karama, the Diplomatic Ladies Association-Dubai and Northern Emirates and MBC1.

Participants: High-profile delegates attending

Participants in the forum include: Waddad Babaer, First Lady (Sudan); Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP, Vice-President, Foreign Affairs Committee-European Parliament (UK); Al Sharifa Bint Nasser, Councillor and Member of Trustees, The Hashemite Fund For Development of Jordan Badia, (Jordan); Dr Amal Qobeissi, Member of the Federal National Council (UAE); Najla Al Awadi, Member of the Federal National Council, Deputy CEO of Dubai Media Incorporated (UAE); Rajaa Al Gurg, President, Dubai Businesswomen Council, CEO, AL Gurg Group (UAE); Eng Fatima Al Jaber, Chief Operating Officer, Jaber Group (UAE); Ambassador Mouchira Khattab, Secretary-General of the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood (Egypt); Abby Disney, Founder of the Daphne Foundation (USA); Al Jawhara Al Angari, President, Al Eman Cancer Society for Women (KSA); Dr Lama Abdul Aziz Suleiman, Board Member, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KSA); Elaine Jones, CEO, Asteco property (UAE); Hosam A. Alqurashi, Brand Manager, Pantene Procter & Gamble (KSA); Giselle Khoury (MBC).

Also among the participants will be Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, and Egyptian actor Hussain Fahmi.