About AIWF

Commemorating its 10th Anniversary this year, the Arab International Women‘s Forum (AIWF) was established as an independent not for profit organisation in 2001 in London. This unique network linking Arab women with their international counterparts, serves as the voice of Arab women, showcasing their development, ability and competence in business, professional and public life, and creating greater global awareness of women’s success and prospects in the Arab world.

In the decade since inception and in fulfilling our mission of Building Bridges, Building Business, the Arab International Women’s Forum has been an agent of change for women in the Arab region encouraging their potential to take greater leadership roles and reach higher levels of responsibility in all sectors of business, public life and in civil society while at the same time contributing to the progress and prosperity of their communities.

Over the last decade AIWF has been recognised for its vision and successful achievement of outstanding and timely initiatives, having a focus on capacity building and training, and supporting the themes of economic competiveness, sustainable human development and the empowerment of women, through partnership, increased connectivity, innovation and collaboration, for women in the Arab world.

AIWF has achieved international recognition as a powerful advocate for the advancement of women and its growing role, to promote and advance legislative rights for and the political participation of Arab women, has been distinguished by many collaborations with, among others, the League of Arab States, the European
Commission and European Parliament, United Nations organisations and agencies, the World Bank, the OECD, women’s business councils in the Arab States and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office – to which AIWF presented two landmark Reports and Recommendations in 2005 and 2007, on Women as Engines of Economic Growth in the Arab World.

AIWF places great strategic importance on the development of its global networks and the establishment of key alliances with multinational corporations across all sectors. AIWF Global Partners are deeply engaged in the Arab region and uphold strong diversity policies that enhance the recruitment, training and development of women as key contributors to the Arab human capital pool.

In raising awareness and strengthening its connections with global media AIWF is proud to have a special partnership with the leading communications company in the Middle East, Memac Ogilvy and from June 2007a continuing relationship and cooperation with the Financial Times (FT) cooperating on the FT special reports,which recognise the Arab world’s emerging women business leaders. AIWF has supported the publication of Domains of Influence: Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy, the first book of its kind and a unique testament to the impact of Arab women in today’s global environment of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

In 2011 and beyond, the Arab International Women’s Forum and its Partners recognise that its role is more important than ever and is widening its remit to connect women in the Arab world with women in the other developing economies of Africa and Asia. Launching an enhanced Programme for Building Bridges, Building Business: Emerging Economies, Emerging Leaderships, AIWF will focus on strengthening its focus on the importance of education, leadership training, capacity building and self development for women and young people and urging governments and the private sector to work together to achieve much needed
job creation initiatives.