Day One: March 2, 2021
10:00am-10:15am EST: Opening Remarks – Activating the Private Sector for Women’s Economic Rights in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia
Ivana Smucker, Director of Programs, HANDS
Margrit Sourafim, Director Local Development Unit, CEOSS
Soukaina Bouraoui, Executive Director, CAWTAR
Zakia Mrini, President, Association Ennakhil
Dr. Hoda Yassa, The Arab Women Investors Union
10:15am-11:00 am EST: A Business Case for Women’s Economic Equality – International and Regional Data Updates
Barbara Langley, Director of Center for Women’s Economic Empowerment at the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
Ragui Assaad, Egyptian economist and Professor of Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Facilitator: Nada Diouri, Women empowerment and education specialist
11:00am-11:15am EST: Discussion
11:15am-11:45am: A Business Case for Women’s Economic Equality — Country Specific Data
Nadia Zrelli Ben Hamida, Associate Professor, Institute of Advanced Commercial Studies, Chair of the Tunisia Leadership Council for the Policy Circle
Dr. Hala Barakat, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at AUC School of Business
Hassan Aladlouni, Consultant for social entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment
Facilitator: Ilham Boujlid, Entrepreneur
11:45am-12:00pm EST: Discussion
12:00pm-12:45pm EST: Women in the Private Sector: Crucial challenges and opportunities in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia
Sabah Chraibi, National President of Espod Association and President of Resofem, Morocco
Leila Belkhiria Jaber, President of the National Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs at the Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Crafts, Expert in Female Entrepreneurship
Eman Wahby, General Partner at Grow in Africa Fund (GIAF)
Facilitator: Ivana Smucker, Director of Programs, HANDS
12:45pm-1:00pm EST: Discussion
Day Two: March 3, 2021
10:00am-10:45am EST: Moving Forward: A Conversation with Gender Equality Champions from the MENA region
Aalia Ghouli, Head of Marketing, Strategy, Innovation and Digital, Diversity Champion, EXCOM Member
Myriam Garram Head of External Financing at the International Relations Department, Amen Bank
Ghada Shamandy Hamed, Gender Mainstreaming Coordinator at Railway Authority, Egypt
Facilitator: Ms. Razan Al-Hosban, Philip Morris Senior Counsel Egypt & Levant (Jordan, Lebanon & Palestinian Authority Area)
10:45am-11:00 am EST: Discussion
11:00 am-11:45 am EST: Women in Business – Key Ingredient for a Vibrant, Innovative and Sustainable Economic Growth
Sana Ghnima, Founder and CEO of Sanabil Med and Finland Leaders School, Tunisia
Jackie Kameel, Executive Director of Nahdaet El-Mahrousa
Facilitator: Zakaria Fahim, President of BDO, President of Hub Africa and Union des Auto Entrepreneurs
11:45am-12:00 pm EST: Discussion
12:00 pm-12:45pm: Mapping Uncharted Territory: MENA Women in Traditionally Male Dominated Industries
Abir Leheta, CEO and Chairman of EgyTrans
Fathia Bennis, Chairperson of Maroclear and President of Women’s Tribune
Amel ben Farhat, President of the Tunisian Association of Women Engineers
Facilitator: Margrit Sourafim, Director Local Development Unit, CEOSS
12:45pm-1:00pm EST: Discussion
Day Three: March 4, 2021
10:00am to 11:30am EST: Defining Regional Framework for Advancing the Role of the Private Sector as a Champion for the Women’s Economic Equality
All participants and speakers are invited to join the below working groups (group assignment will occur prior to the conference).
Group I
Team Leader: Rim Aljabi
Discussion Themes:
Making a Stronger Argument for Gender Equality in the Private Sector in the Region—Choosing Most Impactful Strategies and Tools
Reinforcing and Reinventing Partnerships—How Governments and Civil Society Can Support the Private Sector in Achieving Gender Equality
Group II
Team Leader: Maha Ismail
Discussion Themes:
Setting our Goals—Most Urgent Gaps and Strongest Opportunities for Advancing Equality in the Private Sector in the MENA Region
Achieving Gender Equality in the Private Sector in the MENA Region—Choosing Most Impactful Strategies and Tools
Group III
Team Leader: Nadia Bennouna
Discussion Themes:
Setting our Goals—Most Urgent Gaps and Strongest Opportunities for Advancing Equality in the Private Sector in the MENA Region
Achieving Gender Equality in the Private Sector in the MENA Region—Choosing Most Impactful Strategies and Tools
Group IV
Team Leader: Fatma M’Selmi
Discussion Themes:
Making a Stronger Argument for Gender Equality in the Private Sector in the Region—Choosing Most Impactful Strategies and Tools
Reinforcing and Reinventing Partnerships—How Governments and Civil Society Can Support the Private Sector in Achieving Gender Equality
Day Four: March 5, 2021
10:00am – 11:30am EST: Conclusions and Presentations of Working Groups
Maha Ismail, PhD, Managing Director of CDB
Fatma M’Selmi, Founder and Manager of Laur’us Constulting
Nadia Bennouna, Senior Consultant at Axafric
Rim Aljabi, Gender Consultant, CAWTAR
Closing Words: TBD
11:30am – 12:00pm EST: Plan for the National Level Follow Up
Breakout Room Egypt, Group Leader: Margrit Sourafim, CEOSS
Breakout Room Tunisia, Group Leader: CAWTAR representative
Breakout Room Morocco, Group Leader: TBD, Association Ennakhil