Arab Women Organization

The Director General of the Arab Women Organization, a newly established intergovernmental organization under the umbrella of the League of Arab States. Professor Badran is a political scientist and was the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University. She was also a diplomat, the Egyptian Cultural Counsellor and Director of the Education Bureau in the United Kingdom. Professor Badran was a member of the Egyptian Council for Women and has publications on enhancing women participation in politics.

Arab Women Organization

The AWO is an intergovernmental organization established under the umbrella of the League of Arab States and headquartered in Egypt. It emerged from the Cairo Declaration issued by the First Arab Women Summit which convened in Cairo in November 2000 in response to a call by H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, Egypts First Lady and which was co-organized by the National Council for Women in Egypt, Hariri Foundation in Lebanon and the League of Arab States. The agreement came into effect in March 2003.

The AWO aims at :Empowering Arab women and building their capacities to promote progress of Arab societies, Raising awareness of the necessity of engaging women as equal partners in societal development, and Coordinating Arab efforts in order to foster women empowerment and elevate awareness of their vital role in society.

Objectives of AWO include: Achieving solidarity of Arab women as a cornerstone for Arab solidarity, Coordinating common Arab stands regarding Arab, as well as, international affairs and when dealing with Arab women issues in regional and international organizations, Raising awareness regarding economic, social, cultural and legal issues pertaining to Arab women, Fostering cooperation and exchange of experience between member Arab states to enhance the status of women, According women issues priority in developmental policies and plans, Empowering women and building their capacities as human beings and citizens to play an effective role in societal institutions, in the labour market, and in decision making circles, and Enhancing essential health and education services for women.

AWO tools and instruments include: Collecting and disseminating data regarding the status of Arab women, Coordinating local and national efforts pertaining to women issues, Following relevant developments in international organizations, Setting model programs to alleviate Arab women in all fields, Networking and cooperating with relevant governmental and non-governmental, organizations, Organizing seminars and workshops to coordinate joint Arab action regarding women issues, and Conducting research on Arab women issues and their role in society.