Female Forward Int.

Press Release: Delegation from MENA visits Brussels 28th-30th September 2022

Women play an important part in revolutions that call for democracy and human rights. This was the case during the Arab Spring and again with what is happening in Iran.Thus the visit by female politicians and activists from Jordan and Lebanon was timely. In the MENA region, women are still severely underrepresented in the political system. It is particularly important to encourage women to enter politics in traditionally patriarchal societies. The combined programme was organised together with IAF (Internationale Akademie für Führungskräfte) and took place in Berlin and Brussels.

The training and networking events included an exchange with expert staff from the European External Action Service (EEAS), a meeting with Samira Rafaela, Member of the European Parliament representing Renew Europe on the FEMM Committee, meetings with the diplomatic services of Jordan and Lebanon and workshops with Adam Vink and Julie Szmaj from Alliance of Her, as well as Sana Afouaiz from the Womenpreneur Initiative. Participants were able to gain insight into the role of women in the political space, on the political cooperation between the European Union with Jordan and Lebanon, as well as practical skills in public speaking. The aim was to strengthen the position of the participants in their local systems and environments by increasing knowledge, exchanging experiences and networking with people from the political sphere.