Organizers of the New Arab Woman Forum (NAWF) held a press conference at Bristol Hotel on the 10th of January 2012, with the participation of the Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abou Faour, Honorary President of the forum H.E Ms. Bahia Hariri, President of the French Institute in Lebanon, Aurélien Lechevallier, General Director of Public Relations and Commercial at MBC group, Mazen Hayek, and Founder and Executive Director of the forum, Nadine Abou Zaki.

The forum’s fifth edition under the theme “Women and the Arab Spring” will take place on the 1st & 2nd of February 2012, at the Four Seasons hotel, Beirut. The forum is organized by Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group and Al Hasnaa magazine in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the French Institute in Lebanon.

Picture from right to left: Mr. Mazen Hayek, Minister Wael Abou Faour, Mrs. Bahia Hariri, Mrs. Nadine Abou Zeki, and Mr. Aurélien Lechevallier.

A large number of media representatives attended the event and discussions focused on the spring of Lebanese women, as well as the way Islam views women’s rights as more and more Islamic movements govern several Arab countries. Questions also touched on the “sensitivity” of some Arab countries towards women’s human rights, and which prompted Minister Abou Faour into commenting that too many issues were being raised during the press conference, and that discussions should not be instigated before the actual opening of the forum.

Prominent Arab and international speakers will take part in NAWF 2012, including ministers, officials, leading business women, professionals in human and social sciences, writers, journalists, artists, representatives of NGOs as well as human right activists. Prospects of change, triggered by the “Arab spring” on the political, social and cultural levels will be highlighted during the two day forum. NAWF will also tackle other up-to-date issues including job opportunities for Arab women, role of social media, in addition to exploring outlook of long awaited reform plans in fundamental rights, women, youth, relations between the East and the West, as well as literary and artistic ways of expression.

NAWF 2012 is also distinguished by two initiatives: the first is “Sawa Sawa” march in recognition of the Arab woman achievements, and the second is awarding woman of the year, based on votes for the Woman of the Week, “WoW”.

Abou Faour: “beware of falling into the trap…”
Minister Abou Faour considered that the forum is gaining great relevance due to the radical changes in the Arab world. Arab women were fundamental partners in the reforms; they led the demonstrations and staged sit-ins. They were real partners in the achievement of reforms and thus must be partners in the gains.

He added: “We have with us Ms. Bahia Hariri who actively took part in the Arab spring before anyone took to the streets, with her political, legislative and social work. We should by no means transform this Arab spring into an Arab “fall” for women. All reforms called for the eradication of injustice and the realization of democracy. Arab leaders fell into the trap of thinking they will never be asked to step down or be replaced; men in the Arab world should not fall into the same trap of dominance and tyranny.”

He concluded: “I was positively impressed during the last conference of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs by the presence of 3 women ministers from Morocco, Libya and the Emirates. This is quite promising, and thus, new Arab political leaders should know very well that they would be greatly mistaken were they to replace injustice with injustice and tyranny with tyranny.”

Hariri: “As always Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group unites Arab nations on more than one level”
Honorary President of the forum and head of the Parliamentary Commission for Education and Culture, deputy Bahia Hariri said: “I am delighted to participate with you today in this press conference that aims at announcing the New Arab Woman Forum in its fifth edition, organized by Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group and Al Hasnaa magazine. It is indeed worth noting that this forum coincides with Arab women’s Day. Each year, the forum is distinguished by its topics, the way it tackles the latest developments and the insight it has into the future.”

She added : ”This year’s theme is “Women and the Arab Spring”; this spring that demands we deal with its sacrifices and ambitions with great responsibility that goes beyond reconstruction of power, and who’s to replace whom in key decision making positions and institutions. This spring in its essence is a return to Arab societies including all members and groups who are long for freedom of expression and belief, in order to build a society and a country with an authority that serves them, after a long time of having authorities using society and country to serve their personal interests.”

She concluded: “I would like to emphasize the exceptional efforts exerted by the forum’s administration in order to set the topics and choose the appropriate guests so that the outcome is a forum that respects the status of Arab women and the Arab Spring. As always, Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group unites Arab nations on more than one level, be it in their economic, professional, financial or development issues. We also should not forget that Al Hasnaa magazine is the first Arab magazine that specialized in women’s issues. I wish for the New Arab Woman Forum, and for the future, a flourishing spring that equals their ambitions and efforts.

Abou Zaki: “Woman is the heart of the Arab Spring”

The opening speech in the conference was to Founder and Executive Director of the forum, Nadine Abou Zaki who said: “the forum’s fifth edition is entitled “Women and the Arab Spring” coinciding with the transformational changes surrounding us, as we have witnessed political systems fall, reforms taking place indicating an eagerness for democracy, freedom and social equality, which are all essential values pertaining to issues of the Arab woman.

Thus it is not strange that the forum should adopt such a theme for this year’s edition, for the Arab woman has had a major role in this spring, be it at the forefront or the rear end, even in the most conservative societies.”

She added: “this participation puts the Arab woman at the forefront of changes, which constitute a turning point in the region; women are either to reap the benefits of this spring and get involved in the upcoming phase, or latest reforms and transformations will backfire, setting the Arab woman backwards, an unlikely outcome.

The 5th edition of NAWF discussions commences with the important issue of prospects of change that lie within the Arab Spring on the political, economic, social and cultural levels, in addition to the outlook and challenges of the next phase.” She went on to say: “NAWF is a two-day forum with a rich program that consists of panel discussions and workshops. In addition and for the first time, “Woman of the Week, WoW” prize will be given to the Arab woman who attains the largest number of votes on the forum’s website. Voting began in September 2011 and will last until the opening of the forum, when the winner will be announced. NAWF will also organize a peaceful march for Arab women under the slogan “SAWA SAWA”. The march will start at the Four Seasons Hotel towards Beirut Place de l’etoile on Thursday, February 2nd at 2:30 pm”

Aurélien Lechevallier: “French support of the forum” Aurélien Lechevallier stated: “It is with great pleasure that the French Institute in Lebanon, for the first time, takes part in this forum entitled “Women and the Arab Spring”. Yet, echoes of its success have resonated throughout the 4 previous editions. This event constitutes today an annual meeting point and an opportunity for discussion on issues related to woman’s human rights and her role in modern society.

The French Institute has chosen this year to participate actively in the organization of the forum, as the theme “Women and the Arab Spring” promises interesting and valuable interventions and discussions, which could then pave the way to study the role that women played in the latest regional reforms. Current status of women in Arab societies and marked development of this status in light of the achieved reforms, will also be highlighted. A great part of the program is also reserved to literary and artistic creations in which Arab women have excelled.”

He underlined the role of the French Embassy in supporting Lebanese organizations working for women’s rights. In 2009 and 2010, several projects supporting Lebanese women were funded by the embassy through the “Social Development Fund”. One of the projects consisted of developing a women’s cooperative association for agriculture in south Lebanon. Another project consisted of the providing support to women and children in employment and health issues in the southern suburb of Beirut. Medical consultations were also organized for women in jail. In July 2010, the French Institute organized in collaboration with “Kafa” organization, an exhibition of the work done by Lebanese women victims of violence.

Lechevallier expressed his pleasure for supporting the New Arab Woman Forum at the onset of this New Year. Hayek:”The greatest challenge is to activate the role of woman in the building of countries and institutions” Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s Official Spokesperson – Group Director of PR & Commercial, considered that “in the past five years, NAWF which has tackled issues of Arab women, many visions, objectives and challenges were highlighted. Some of them were achieved, and the biggest part is still in progress. Goodwill might be able to change visions into initiatives, objectives into realities, and aspirations into tangible results that will to the advantage of Arab women in the near future, which is the ultimate goal of NAWF in its consecutive editions. At MBC group, we have always believed in the potentials of Arab women, and have endeavored to change these potentials into innovative initiatives that will reflect in a greater more effective participation of women on the public and private fronts, in economy and business, communication and media, sustainable development and education, amongst other fields.”

He added: “Arab women have realized that achieving their rightful goals can in no way be separated from the comprehensive reform plan that covers all aspects of society, and which rebels in the face of practices that have deterred, and still do, the Arab nation from obtaining its full rights. The Arab woman stood by the Arab man and together they took to their national squares and marched into the midst of reform activities.”

He concluded: “the question lies in the huge challenge that the Arab woman faces post the popular movements. What roles is she expected to assume today and tomorrow? How is she to find herself a foothold during a period of reconstructing countries and institutions and enhancing the concept of nationalism and equality, following her effective role in the ripening and success of revolts? Is the Arab woman able to maintain her leading role in the post-revolution era, or will she again lose it to new players and forces who may not be in favor of an equal partnership between man and woman? We hope answers to these questions will be revealed in the course of the forum in order to advance the role of the Arab woman in to a leading role deserved by all women in our countries and societies.