2009 Press Releases
U.S. Consul General Highlights Importance of Private Sector at U.S.-Palestinian Women’s Business Event
Press Release
May 5, 2009
Jerusalem
For Immediate Release
Ramallah – U.S. Consul General Jake Walles gave remarks at a joint U.S.-Palestinian event organized by the Business Women Forum – Palestine with support from the U.S. government’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). The event enjoyed the patronage of her Excellency Palestinian Authority Minister of Tourism and Women’s Affairs Kholud Daibis who opened the event, applauding the leadership of businesswomen and thanking the U.S. government for its support to these important figures in the Palestinian economy. In his remarks, Walles underscored U.S. efforts to build the foundations of a prosperous Palestinian state and stressed that, “there is no more important partner in this work than the Palestinian private sector.” He also emphasized the vital role that Palestinian women play in the economic, social and political aspects of their communities. Dr. Samir Hazbun of the Palestinian Private Sector Coordinating Council also spoke at the opening, explaining the Council’s important role in providing support to the private sector.
The day of workshops aimed at highlighting the role of advocacy and how it can encourage public policy changes that allow women entrepreneurs a more active role in developing the Palestinian economy. Three top women executives from the United States participated in the workshops as part of a “Corporate Ambassadors Program.” The Program was launched last year by the Business Women Forum- Palestine (BWF-Palestine) in collaboration with MEPI, Vital Voices Global Partnership, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Businesswomen’s Network. One of the American executives, Patty DeDominic is the former President of the American National Association Women’s Business Owners whose mission statement says it was organized, “with the goal of securing equal rights and opportunities for women bold and visionary enough to pursue an entrepreneurial dream in the global marketplace.” Commenting after the workshops, Ms. DeDominic confirmed, “The women I met today are certainly bold and visionary. I am glad that I could pass on my experiences with advocacy to support them in their goals for a future Palestine.”
Manal Zraiq, Chairwoman of the BWF also had words of praise for the participants stating, “There is a lot of talent in the room. BWF wants to play an active role in nurturing this talent by providing a forum for peer learning, information exchange, business development, and access to education, resources and tools.” BWF-Palestine is a founding member of the larger, regional MENA Businesswomen’s Network. BWF was started in 2006 by seven Palestinian entrepreneurs who participated in a MEPI sponsored business program and has grown into a highly respected institution and resource for Palestinian businesswomen. The organization currently runs four major programs in collaboration with international organizations and the U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem. Zraiq had a few parting words for participants, “As I said last year, our goal remains equality and equal opportunity for women in both business and politics. Advocacy is an important tool because it brings about the change that makes the rules fair for everyone.”
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For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909 or Assistant Information Officer Christina Higgins at 054-678-8501 or Hassna Dajani at 054-678-8455.
FACT SHEET
MENA Businesswomen’s Network
The MENA Businesswomen's Network is a partnership between local businesswomen's organizations across the Middle East and North Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the U.S. Department of State. The goal of the partnership is to build a network of businesswomen in MENA in order to expand the number of women in business, to increase the value of their businesses, to advance the role of women in society, and to promote a regional culture of women's entrepreneurship. The MENA Businesswomen’s Network provides a forum for peer learning, information exchange, business development and access to education, resources and tools, all of which are supportive of expanding economic opportunities and building networks for businesswomen in the region. Members of the Network are organizations that are committed to contributing to economic growth and reform, to supporting the needs of women-led businesses and professional women and to having a significant social impact. Network Hubs are in place in ten countries: Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, and the West Bank/Palestinian Territories. Additional Hubs will be added in 2008. To learn more about the MENA Businesswomen’s Network and the Network Hub in your country please visit www.menabwn.org.
Business Women Forum-Palestine
The BWF aims to create a better environment for women entrepreneurs and executives as well as build the pipeline of future business women leaders. The BWF focuses on attracting more women into business, combatting the barriers women often face in starting and developing their business, and looking at ways of empowering women in the business sector by providing innovative opportunities to network and discuss progressive ways of improving their business and personal development. BWF shall accelerate the success of women entrepreneurs and executives in business by providing trusted peer-to-peer networks, high-value professional and training programs, and opportunities for our members to be seen as Thought Leaders.
U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative
This project is funded through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). MEPI supports efforts to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic reform throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In support of these goals, MEPI works with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and academic institutions, as well as governments. More information about MEPI can be found at: www.mepi.state.gov.
Vital Voices Global Partnership
Vital Voices Global Partnership is the preeminent non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies, trains, and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world for us all. Our international staff and team of over 1,000 partners, pro bono experts and leaders, including senior government, corporate and NGO executives, have trained and mentored more than 5,000 emerging women leaders from over 150 countries in Asia, Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East since 1997. We have equipped these women with management, business development, marketing, and communications skills to expand their enterprises, help to provide for their families, and create jobs in their communities. These women have returned home to train and mentor more than 100,000 additional women and girls in their communities. They are the Vital Voices of our time. For more information about Vital Voices, please visit www.vitalvoices.org
