Just got back from Sharm El Sheikh where I particpated in the World Economic Forum on Middle East. It was quite an interesting and an insightful experience meeting with the World's leading Political and Business Leaders and participated in some of regions's most sensitive issues. Quite a unique experience when you are only few steps away from President Bush or under one roof with the Defence Minister of Israel and listeing in such proximity as to what he has to say on peace and conflict with Palestine or exchanging thoughts with Tony Blair (Who has lost so much weight since I last met him at the House of Lords in England) or listening to what Russian Foreign Minister has to say on Iran's Nuclear Programe. Apart from politics and the conflicts in the region other challenging debates were raised in the parallel sessions of the forum such as Education, Gender Parity, GCC Crash, Inflation and the long term vision of the leaders in the region and others.
I could probably write a few pages on each of the outlined headings however I am exhauseted and I have no intentions of doing so right now. I may choose to write more in depth in due course.
However, I will not leave the screen until I share with you few points on "Gender Parity" in the region and on what I had to say on Gender Parity to a group of 50 Influential and committed female and male leaders.
I am always asked by eastern and western women living in our region or abroad that what is it like working in the Middle East? I always answer this question with a smile and welcome their naivity on the subject. For someone who has studied in the west and also had the privilege with working with the upper class white English men and also in the region I feel I am equipped with the experience of both the worlds to answer a question as simple as this. My quick response always is that " I feel like a Queen working in the Middle East, well respected for my merits, supported and encouraged always. I am so lucky to have our leaders who are ever encouraging and who truly aprreciate and genuinely understand that women should be integral part of our economy. Having said this the views of a layman may be very different.
The issue of the Gender Parity is not specific to our region The Gender Parity Programme of the World Economic Forum concentrates on four critical areas to reduce the gender parity which I have outlined below. However, in my personal view this issue is not specific only to our region just as much it is relevant to us it is also relevant and of an issue in countries around the world. Just as women may have their challenges in this region women around the world also experience similar or worst experience. The question which comes to my still mind:"Why is the issue always stressed and highlighted on a bigger scale of the women of our region, There are equally conservative societies in south east asia and in Europe? I am of the view that this issue should be dealt with around the globe.
With the support of our government there are many more women in top executive rankings in our country with such a small population than in most developed countries. The actual facts speaks for itself. We should and also everyone should also acknowlede and appreciate that despite our youth and being only 36 years old we have managed to do so much. It was only in mid 1960's when women were allowed to read law at univeristies in the United States of America.
Participation of women in politics is a process and cannot be achieved overnight, our country has appointed well deserved candidates for this role. I am of the view that there should be an increase in participation there are very good efforts in achieving this and will happen over time.
I presented my views when requested; on the steps to reduce the gender parity and my response was as follows: "We should take concrete steps to reduce the gender parity such as to develop our legislations and ensure women's rights are protected and engrained in our legislation and constitution, create awareness among our people on the importance of women partcipation in every level of our economy and society, political will is very important to empower women, but our society should be equally supportive and encouraging for participation at such levels.
Some other recommendations which came out of groups at the meeting:
Place more women in key public decision-making positions (ministers, parliamentarians, local government leaders)- Develop more effective legislation for empowering women and ensure that this legislation is implemented- Promote girls’ education in high-tech fields since future growth and jobs will be driven by this sector- Develop a more enabling environment for working women, including services such as childcare and transport between homes and offices- Recognize publicly businesses that provide supportive environments for female employees to create positive incentives for companies, and also so that women searching for jobs are aware of the best employers- Create media campaigns aimed at changing mindsets about women’s economic participation and leadership- Increase positive, productive images of working women in school textbooks to change perceptions among girls and boys at an early age
These were my comments and my brief experience in a nut shell, if you have any ideas on how to reduce gender parity regionally or globally please feel free to share.
Until then Adious.
1 comment:
Dear Writer,
After a long absence, it is a joy to see that you have surfaced on your blog so welcome back.
It is obvious that the WEF participation enriched you in various ways. Having the opportunity to address with your views such a group I’m sure will yield good results. Well done!
Knowing you, I must say that, an important one, your choice of topic has not surprised me ;)
I do agree that it is a global phenomenon and not restricted to our region. Could it be a perception in the west that its worse here than anywhere else on our vast globe…I don’t know?! I live in the UAE, not your typical Middle Eastern country. Here, the government entrepreneurially leads the private sector, reacts to its citizens needs and issues. Nominates women for leading positions. A never resting leadership that acknowledges it’s only a start and there is more work to be done.
I agree, wisely said that it’s a process that will take time but we are in a race against it, what a paradox we are in don’t you think?
If I may, my comments:
I like to look at this as a change process which requires principally transformation at the social level with the support of, already an exiting advanced, the political powers and top leadership. No need to say to you that legislation is something to be thought of with lots of care otherwise it may backfire or create other problems. Creating these special “exclusive” legislations carry the risk of harming the cause as it creates camps and quotas, it could spark the “discrimination” argument by the other side. A suggestion may be to use an equation of strong top to bottom political will and directives, powerful but subtle social change plan weaving across the community’s fabric neo-Emarati values and having inclusive legislation for both genders with stress on mechanisms to ensure transparency and fair play with, for example, tribunal processes in case on unfair treatment or decision making in any walk of life i.e. work, social structure, political representation…etc.
Above policies, which I call soft revelation, and the demographic shift towards women will naturally fill positions with suitable female candidates. Once there is a mechanism for transparency and giving the most able person the opportunity, we will find girls promoted and women in key growth sectors- it will be more of a natural outcome rather than an enforced one. With the challenges ahead, we should use the full potential of the national, both men and women, workforce. In addition to an enabled work environment for women; to list a few, we must promote working from home, part timers and fringe workers. Public recognition of businesses which create supportive environments for women is part of the bigger picture of the leadership’s drive for excellence. With the inclusive approach, weaving this into existing award programs is easy and can be done immediately. A long term strategic work to change mindsets is key, the schooling content must be carefully studied to suite our core believes through a good consultation process with all walks of the society to ensure, although might create debate- which is good- and resistance but eventually we have a more tailored content with maximum buy in.
Wish you, as always, infinite success.
Sincerely yours,
Selective reader
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