Moderator: Matthew Robinson

 

Speakers: 

• Ahdeya Ahmed Al-Sayed - President of the Bahraini Journalists Association (Bahrain).
   

• Baroness Nosheena Mobarik CBE - Member of the House of Lords (UK), former Member of the European Parliament.
   

• Nilufer Gundogan - Member of the Dutch Parliament (NL).

 

Women’s rights are fundamental human rights as enshrined by the United Nations. Securing those rights represents a cornerstone for societal development on a national and international level. Therefore, the elimination of barriers and intersecting forms of gender discrimination, along with the proactive empowerment of women, are crucial measures that need to be ever-present when reflecting over national policies as well as cultural issues regarding gender. The Euro-Gulf Information Centre (EGIC) was pleased to host an online seminar featuring inspiring female leaders in a candid reflection on the state of play of women’s rights and the challenges that lie ahead. The panel consisted of: Ahdeya Ahmed Al-Sayed, President of the Bahraini Journalists Association (Bahrain); Baroness Nosheena Mobarik CBE, Member of the House of Lords (UK) and former Member of the European Parliament; Nilufer Gundogan, Member of the Dutch Parliament (NL); Matthew Robinson, EGIC Managing Director (Moderator).

 

The panel provided a variety of perspectives over aspects of inclusivity within culture, economy and society, as well as discussing the ubiquity of discrimination forms based on structures of power and privilege within different communities. Speakers provided an in depth assessment on how institutions can improve public awareness regarding gender equality, highlighting the need to focus on cultural aspects that regard gender barriers and obstacles over inclusion. The discussion also covered the economic aspect related to women’s rights, particularly on the intersection between the climate and sustainability agendas and gender equality. During the debate, the panelists also reflected on the trade-offs between focusing on legislation or business incentives to promote gender equality, as well as on the importance and the meaning of diversity on a business level. Finally, the Q&A expanded the discussion to aspects related to the inclusion within international institutions with a gender-focus of countries where women’s rights do not meet the necessary standards. On that issue, the discussion focused over the dichotomy between inclusion and exclusion of such actors and the outcomes of different political approaches.