Press Release:                       Beirut, 8/11/2007

The Concluding Statement of
The New Arab Woman Forum

Transforming the Forum into an institution supported by a
special commission of consultants from several countries

The Forum discussed problems faced by women and
Called for more legislation to guarantee their rights

The Forum emphasized equal opportunities for women
and emphasized education as the fundamental element
in building the qualified woman

Organizers of “The New Arab Woman Forum”, announced the concluding statement of the Forum held in Dubai at the end of last October under the auspices of H.R.H Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and spouse of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE Ruler of Dubai.

The Forum was attended by more than 500 participants from 30 Arab and foreign countries. It was organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group and Al-Hasnaa Magazine, the leading Arab women’s and family magazine, in cooperation with several institutions represented by the General Secretariat of the Arab League, ESCWA and V-Day Karama, in addition to MBC as the exclusive media partner.

The New Arab Woman Forum in its first meeting was quite distinguished in several aspects as was evident from the deliberations and the impressions of participants. Its main features can be summarized as follows:

1. The Forum was a unique event of its kind in terms of the comprehensiveness of its topics as well as the variety and quality of participants of both genders.
2. The Forum was a meeting place for a large number of participants from many countries representing many sectors and activities, including politics and public affairs, business, sociology, media, the arts and others. Among leading women participants were ministers, businesswomen, and members of Arab and foreign parliaments.
3. The Forum saw frank and bold deliberations and discussions that had an evident media impact. Its various sessions were heavily attended from opening to closure, a rare event in most conferences and forums.
4. The patronage and participation of H.R.H Princess Haya gave impetus to the Forum. Her readiness to sponsor the second session of the Forum in October 2008 was a clear indication of the success of the Forum, which constitutes an essential condition for its continuity.

In light of this overwhelming success, Al-Iktissad Wal Aamal Group declared its intention to develop the Forum through Al-Hasnaa Magazine, as an arm for the group specialized in woman affairs, and to transform it into an institution supported by a consultative commission from several countries and various specialties. The aim will be to follow up women’s affairs from all viewpoints, whether through general forums or specialized conferences centering on specific issues, and this in cooperation with the relevant Arab and international organizations.

Conclusions and deductions

The New Arab Women Forum covered all issues and problems faced by women in the Arab world in various domains and sectors and arrived at the following conclusions and recommendations on the basis of its debates and discussions:

First:

Despite the progress achieved in several societies, more legislation is required to guarantee women’s rights, with emphasis on the importance of proper and effective mechanisms to apply such laws and monitor their execution.

Second:

The Forum to note of the impact on women’s rights of Personal Status Codes.

Third:

In addition to reiterating equality between women and men in all fields, the Forum emphasized woman’s rights arising from the nature and distinctiveness of women without abandoning their feminism.

Fourth:

The Forum called upon women to confirm their role in the political domain and accept the quota system in parliaments as a first step in asserting their distinctness in a positive manner.

Fifth:

The Forum considered the issue of veil or hijab as a personal matter to be respected in terms of identity and culture without any negative discrimination or arrangements.

Sixth:

The Forum called for and supported equal opportunities for man and woman in all domains, including diplomacy.

Seventh:

The Forum called for first priority to be given to woman’s education since it is the fundamental key for their qualification and culture as well as the development of skills and potential. Special focus should be made on the eradication of illiteracy, that is prevalent among women, in addition to providing training in information technology and internet access to every home.

Eighth:

The Forum conveyed its appreciation and esteem to H.R.H Princess Haya for her patronage and participation in the Forum, as well as for receiving the participating delegations and her readiness to sponsor the Forum in its second session to be held in Dubai in October 2008.

Ninth:

Moreover, the Forum expressed its appreciation to ESCWA for its effective participation within the Forum as well as to the leading film director Nadine Labaki for her participation and the screening of the movie “Caramel” (Sikar Nabet) on the first day of the Forum.

Tenth:

The organizers honored Princess Haya who participated with them in paying tribute to an selelct group of Arab women leaders:

• Sheikha Souad Al Houmaidi, chairman of Souad Al Houmaidi Company Group, Kuwait
• Mrs. Fatme El Jaber, chairman of Al Jaber Group, UAE
• Mrs. Al Jawhara Bent Mohamad Al Ankari, vice-president of the National Association of Human Rights for Family Affairs in Saudi Arabia.

Finally, the organizing institutions expressed the fact that they are keen on ensuring the continuity of the Forum and transforming it into an effective institution having recurrent and varied activities in several Arab countries, thus making it an effective tool that can impact policies and decision-making concerning women and the family.