Dubai School of Government hosts conference on women's economic contribution and impact in MENA

Hosted by the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the conference is organized in partnership with the Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) and the World Bank.

Due to start on November 16, the event will bring together academics, policy makers, media and representatives from nongovernmental organizations from throughout the Arab world for two days of dialogue. In addition to sharing a number of research papers on women's economic participation, the conference is designed to stimulate debate on the challenges and opportunities of producing and disseminating research on gender and policy issues in the Arab world.

The Dubai School of Government's Gender and Public Policy Program, which is co-organizing the conference, conducts research and hosts public forums to stimulate awareness of gender perspectives throughout the policy making community.

Dr. May Al Dabbagh, DSG Research Fellow and director of the Gender and Public Policy Program, described this conference as "a key opportunity to track achievements and set a road map for what is needed in terms of producing and promoting research-driven policy making on gender related issues. Sharing knowledge and experiences from throughout the region will strengthen the connections between researchers an d policy makers and will hopefully contribute to closing the gender gap in economic participation in the MENA region."

Over 150 delegates will participate in the conference, including ministers, government officials, Nobel laureates and policy makers.

Panels will address topics related to health and education, gender empowerment in the context of poverty and human development, entrepreneurship , labor markets and employment, teaching gender and public policy in the Arab world, the role of national machineries for women in the GCC, and improving data collection by creating linkages between government agencies and research organizations. The conference sponsored by Damas & Society, Emirates NBD and Emirates Foundation will conclude on November 17 with a roundtable discussion about the most effective way to use research findings to advance the empowerment of women.