2003 GLOBAL SUMMIT OF WOMEN
Marrakech, Morocco
 

COLLOQUIUM ON WOMEN'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARAB STATES

The following is a summary of points covered and recommendations made at the Colloquium on Women's Economic Development in the Arab States, submitted by Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General of the National Council of Women, Egypt.
 

1.     SESSION ON: “Government Initiatives to Promote Women’s Economic Equity” at the
Pre-Summit Colloquium on Economic Development (for Women from Arab States)
 

Discussion Chair: Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General, National  Council for Women (Egypt)
 

1.1   Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General, National  Council for Women (Egypt) 

Dr. Hassan briefly described the following:

§         The revolutionary changes in the way the world does business today.

§         Globalization and its effects on international interdependence, technological developments and trade policy.

§         The expansion in the number of women owned business around the world.

§         Micro and small enterprises as an alternative solution for women to cope with their multiple roles (reproductive and career).

§         The contribution of Arab women to their societies and the diversity among Arab women entrepreneurs in terms of their motivations, socioeconomic status, types of business.

§         The existence of the principle of equality between men and women in many Arab countries and their supporting legal and institutional instruments and mechanisms.

§         Gender gaps in literacy and education that discourage women’s work, mobility and participation in public life.

§         The average rates of participation of women in the labor force in the Region.

§         Role of governments, NGOs and private sector towards removing barriers preventing women participation in the labour market.

Dr. Hassan introduced the speakers from each of Morocco, Bahrain, Palestine, and Jordan.
 

1.2   Mrs. Yasmina Baddou, State Secretary, Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Solidarity (Morocco)

Mrs. Baddou highlighted the following points:

§         The Morocco Constitution states equality between men and women.

§         The impact of global changes on the Moroccan economy.

§         The requirements needed for economic development:

• Establishing strong institutions to cope with the fast international changes and the creation of  establishments for both men and women.
• Minimizing national debts, through the empowerment of women so that they can contribute in raising the economic standards.
• Expanding efforts to anchor a “ country of justice and law”.
• Investing in the   talents and capabilities of young women to encourage their participation in decision-making.
• Highlighting women’s position in society with a view to changing her image.
•  Shedding light on initiatives, experience and ideas undertaken by Arab women.
• Networking to increase the capacity building of NGOs to improve women participation in the international economic market.
   

1.3  Mrs. Lulwa Al Awadhi, Secretary General, Supreme Council of  Women (Bahrain)

Mrs. Al Awadhi elaborated on:

§         The importance of economic development and its effect on women‘s social development.

§         Women’s self-improvement through  their involvement in small business.  
 

1.4 . Mrs. Entissar Al Wazir,  Minister of Social Affairs, Palestine

The following issues were outlined by  Mrs. Al Wazir:  

§         Obstacles to development caused by wars.

§         Impact of women economic participation and activity on the national economy and its interaction with traditions and customs.

§         Social policy and how it affects  the economic conditions in Palestine.

§         Decline of social, health and economic conditions due to the weakening of governmental, ministerial and private sector’s roles.

§         The importance of well developed programs in micro – and small enterprises for the economic empowerment of women.

§         The importance of organizing   training programs and working groups for awareness raising of legal rights.

§         The development of training programs to adequately align  work opportunities with labor market demands.

§         The importance of market studies.

§         The necessity of governments policies to empower women in the labour market, through:

o       Facilitating women’s access to loans from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

o       Consultation centers to evaluate projects financed by foreign institutions and supervising work contracts.

o       Empowerment of Palestinian women through labor laws and the national strategies.
 

1.5.   Mrs. Salwa Damen-Nasri, Former Minister of Social Development (Jordan)

Mrs. Damen-Nasri  presented the following six main issues:

§        The need for coordination and complementarity of efforts to ensure a holistic approach in dealing with women issues.

§        Concerns regarding the welfare of the family and family protection issues.

§        Women participation in economic development.

§        Education and training systems.

§        Economic corrective measurements.

§        Provision of social, educational and employment services.

.6 . The following recommendations have been adopted at the end of the first session:

§         Issuance of laws to protect women at the political, economic and social levels.

§         Minimizing gender gap in all governmental policies.

§         Changing women’s image in media.

§         Setting a policy to facilitate the role of the private sector  in overcoming unemployment problems.

§         Taking into consideration the social dimension when setting up economic policies  to ensure social balance.

§         Proposing financial projects to targeting women entrepreneurs.

§         Introducing innovative technologies for the establishment and operation of small enterprises.

§         Creating a coordination system among ministries, governmental institutions and non-governmental institutions.

§         Improving negotiation skills vis-a-vis donors.

§         Increasing efforts to mobilize the civil society and non-governmental organizations.

2. SESSION ON: “Private Sector Initiatives”

Discussion Chair: Mrs. Amany Asfour, President, Egyptian  Businesswomen’s Association (Egypt)
 

2.1 Mrs. Amany Asfour, President, Egyptian Businesswomen’s Association (Egypt)

Mrs. Asfour gave brief introduction about:

§        Her success story

§        Economic violence against women.

§        Gender gaps in employment, salaries and business opportunities.

§        The importance of training for access to better opportunities
 

2.2  Mrs. Lina Hundaleh, CEO, Philadelphia Chocolates and Board Chair, INJAZ, Junior Achievement Jordan

Mrs. Hundaleh enlighten about her own experience as successful businesswoman and the factors that contributed to her success.
 

2.3 Mrs. Alia Fadel, Marketing Specialist, Cisco Systems Egypt and North Africa

Mrs. Fadel introduced Cisco Systems Egypt as one of the largest information technology companies in the world and described the services that the company could offer to businesswomen, namely: -

o       A website including e. catalogue for businesswomen in African region.

o       The facilities of the Cisco Academy for training & education.

o       The Cooperation agreements with the National Communication Institute, the American University, Helwan University and the Cabinet Information Center.

o       Training courses about “How to use information technology and to start business in that field”

3. SESSION ON: “Civil Society Initiatives”
Discussion Chair: Mrs. Sabah Chraibi, President, ESPOD (Morocco)

   3.1 Mrs. Sabah Chraibi, President, ESPOD (Morocco)

Mrs. Chraibi ‘s speech emphasized the following main issues:

§        Empowering women as decision makers.

§        Role of women in activating the local and international economic status.

§        Establishing an Arab world based on solidarity.

§        Presenting financial support for women.

§        Launching an Arab fund to finance women’s projects*

·         This idea was not favoured  by a Saudi attendee

 3.2 Mrs. Jamila Mint Taya, President, Mauritanian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (Mauritania

Mrs. Taya reported on the civil society experience in Mauritania, clarifying   the following:

§        The economic indicators in Mauritania.

§        The civil society role in empowering women.

§        The investment legislations and democratic system.

§        The political support provided by the government to Mauritanian women.

§        The obstacles women are facing such as: -

-         Limited local markets.

-         Low participation by investors.

-         Donations.

She also suggested the following: -

§        Organizing a forum to provide business opportunities for women.

§        Establishing a network center to empower women in all fields  
 

3.3    Mrs. Hanan bint A.A. Al-Kindy, Coordinating Committee of Women’s Voluntary Work (Oman)

  Mrs. Al-Kindy recommended the following: -

-         Mobilizing all resource to help women in marketing.

-         Establishing  information centers.

-         Connecting to  the international networks.

-         Providing  capacity building for women entrepreneurs.

-         Improving industrial services.

-         Modernizing international marketing opportunities.

-         Networking with international business groups.

-         Supporting the small business entrepreneurs during their first years.

-         Providing  financial support by establishing a  fund  for women entrepreneurs.

-         Building and strengthening bilateral partnerships between Arabian countries.

4. SESSION ON: “A Look at Microfinance”

Discussion Chair: Mrs. Irene Natividad, Summit Director

4.1 Mrs. Irene Natividad, Summit Director

Mrs. Natividad welcomed the participants and emphasized the benefits of  the following:

§         The importance of empowering women within institutions.

§         The importance  of continuous networking between women and centers to exchange experiences and find out new opportunities on the international market.

She also  introduced the sessions  speakers : 
 

4.2 Mrs. Patricia Harrison, Assistant Secretary of State, U.S. State Department

Mrs. Harrison confirmed that the USA government would encourage women entrepreneurs all over the world especially in governments call for democracy.
 

4.3 Mrs. Salwa Damen-Nasri, Member of the Upper House of Parliament and former Minister of Social Development (Jordan)

Mrs. Damen-Nasri described the Jordan experience in the micro credits, outlining successes and constraining factors. 
 

4.4  The participants adopted the following recommendations:

 §        Initiating efforts aiming at creating global solidarity between bigger and smaller countries, and also between well established and smaller entrepreneurs, 

through non governmental organizations.

§        Providing exemptions from taxes,  duties and customs as well as financial support to small women entrepreneurs at the start of their businesses.

§        Supporting and encouraging access to credits and funds for ordinary women for their businesses.

§        Creating a comprehensive database and information system to record obstacles and alternatives policies/approaches.

§        Studying the impact of failure factors on small business.

§        Agreeing to provide unpaid support to small business entrepreneurs, e.g. such as duty free, media coverage, legal counseling, etc.

5. SESSION ON: “Future Initiatives: Education and Skills Training”

Discussion Chair: Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General, National  Council for Women (Egypt)
 

 5.1 Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, Secretary-General, National  Council for Women (Egypt)

 Dr. Hassan put forward  the proposal  of establishing a regional center for promoting and supporting Arab Women entrepreneurs which would provide a host of services to current and potential business women including: 

§         Specialized training.

§         Professional counseling.

§         Access to regional and international databases.

§         A business information center.

§         Links with financial institutions.

§         Networking with regional and international women business associations.

§         On-line classrooms.

§         A directory and database of self-employed women.

§         A telecommunications center.

§         Discussion forums, seminars and workshops.

§         Mentoring services through women business owners.

§         A 24- hour business Hotline.

§         An electronic bullet board.

5.2. Mrs. Najima Thay Thay Ghozali, Secretary of State, Literacy and Informal Education (Morocco)
Mrs. Ghozali presented Moroccan experience and efforts in literacy and informal education field. She emphasized the importance of the following factors:

§         Diagnosing the present status.

§         Advantages of literacy and education.

§         The corrective measures needed.

§         The importance of strategic planning.

5.3 Mrs. Daisy Baddoura, Director of Training, Chamber of Commerce Beirut (Lebanon)
Mrs. Baddoura described the situation of women entrepreneurs in Lebanon and highlighted the following:

§         Employment problems encountered by Lebanese women.

§         The programs offered to women entrepreneurs.

§         Marketing problems.

§         Gender gaps in employment and in salaries.

§         Influence of women literacy on the economy.