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Network Building for MENA Businesswomen
By Mary MacPherson, Beyster Institute
  A key pillar of the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative is women’s economic empowerment. Building on its work with the innovative MEET U.S. program, the Beyster Institute is facilitating the development of the MENA Businesswomen’s Network for the
U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).
In 2005, at MEPI’s first MENA Businesswomen’s Summit in Tunis, Tunisia, the idea of a network of businesswomen’s associations in the Middle East and North Africa was born. The group held its first meeting in July, 2006 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, linking together seven “Network Hub” organizations. Today, these organizations are each producing a series of networking and informational events designed to provide new opportunities and offer training programs and new services for businesswomen as well as helping them sharpen critical business skills.
While each organization is building capacity to serve its members, the Network Hubs as a group are working to create a network for peer learning and information exchange among the organizations. A Speakers Bureau has been created to bring U.S. businesswomen to the region to participate in targeted events and programs.
The Network Hubs vary in history and size. The Lebanese League for Women in Business, the Palestinian Business Women Forum and the Saudi Business and Professional Women’s Association were started in 2006 and are building their memberships. Over 400 businesswomen are members of the Dubai Business Women Council which has been existence since 2002; the Kuwait Economic Society was founded in 1970 and is now doing programming for women business owners. The Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society, established in 2002, offers regular programs on a wide range of topics. Morocco’s Association des Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises (AFEM) is building its own network across the country of Morocco.
While there are differences in the Network Hubs, there are also similarities: visionary leaders, inspirational entrepreneurs and highly successful businesswomen who have the energy, passion and commitment to build a network that will support and nurture the region’s businesswomen.
Leaders of three Network Hubs are among the Forbes list of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World: Afnan Al Zayani (Bahrain), Rola Abdulla Dashti (Kuwait) and Raja Easa Al Gurg (Dubai). Other Network Hub executives are successful entrepreneurs and civic leaders in their regions: Hanan Saab (Lebanon), Bouthayna Iraqui-Houssaini (Morocco), Manal Zraiq (Palestinian territories) and Sameera Bitar (Saudi Arabia).
Network Hubs are producing a series of events that will reach several thousand participants over the course of the initiative. Each month, businesswomen in the MENA region will have the opportunity to participate in valuable programs on topics including leadership, management, finance, family and private sector law, negotiation and communications skills, life/work balance and advocacy.
Through the Speakers Bureau, Hubs are able to feature U.S. experts at their events. On February 21, 2007, U.S. trade expert Lori Brock participated in the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society event “Free Trade Agreements: Opportunities and Challenges.” She provided the audience with a perspective on how Bahrainis can use the FTA to expand their businesses.
In December, AFEM hosted Yvonne Boice, entrepreneur, philanthropist and film expert for a program on “Women and Media” that took place in conjunction with the Marrakech International Film Festival. Following the event, attended by over 200, Ms. Boice suggested that a contest for filmmakers be instituted to chronicle important women’s issues – certainly an opportunity for entrepreneurs.
The MENA Businesswomen’s Network is a network of businesswomen’s organizations in regional “Network Hubs” that serve as networking focal points, service delivery organizations and key supporters of businesswomen’s economic advancement. In facilitating the growth of the Network, the Beyster Institute brings its experience in applying the values of entrepreneurship and employee ownership to the civil society sector. Network Hubs participate in the Institute’s MEET U.S.-CSO Resource Mobilization training programs that bring together a variety of topics including entrepreneurial skills for social entrepreneurs, change management, extending organizational capacity, using volunteers, optimizing partnerships, effective governance, board development, fund raising and sustainability.
For information on activities of the MENA Businesswomen’s Network, contact Mary MacPherson.
©2006. The Beyster Institute and its authors and their entities. All rights reserved.
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