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Advancing Women in MENA: Should We Keep Trying?

Does the Region’s Violent Conflict Preclude Progress?

Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm 

Center: Applied Conflict Transformation Center;  Middle East North Africa Center;  Policy, Learning and Strategy Center

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The longstanding United Nations call for countries to adopt National Action Plans to involve women in issues of national security repeatedly stumbles in much of the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. Institute of Peace had a discussion on May 4 on how these roadblocks can be overcome, especially amid the current upheaval.

MENA

The longstanding United Nations call for countries to adopt National Action Plans to involve women in issues of national security repeatedly stumbles in much of the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. Institute of Peace had a discussion on May 4 on how these roadblocks can be overcome, especially amid the current upheaval.

Since its adoption in 2000, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security has inspired more than 50 member states to adopt National Action Plans to implement its provisions. Iraq in 2014 became the first country in the Middle East to adopt such a plan. Palestine approved its NAP in 2015. But insufficient public awareness and political buy-in and a shortage of targeted resources have stalled efforts elsewhere in the region and continue to hamper implementation even where advocates have succeeded in promoting the adoption of a plan.

USIP published a Special Report on these issues, led by the Middle East Center for Peace, Development and Culture at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Center Director Paula Rayman was among speakers at that May 4 discussion addressing the connecting between implementation of UNSCR 1325 and long-term national security, with a special focus on Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The experts also explored the importance of including men in the development of national action plans and creating safe spaces for productive conversations to prepare for peace. Continue the conversation on Twitter with #MENAGender.

Panelists

Dr. Linda Bishai, Welcoming Remarks
Director of North Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Martin Meehan, Remarks
President, University of Massachusetts

Dr. Paula Rayman, Remarks
Director, Middle East Center for Peace, Development and Culture, University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Stephenie Foster, Panelist
Senior Advisor and Counselor, Office of Global Women's Issues, U.S. Department of State

Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Panelist 
Co-Founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Network 

Ambassador Steve Steiner, Panelist
Gender Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

Kathleen Kuehnast, Moderator
Senior Gender Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

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