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Reclaiming the Narrative: Redefining Womanhood in MEA (Invite only)

Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Reclaiming the Narrative: Redefining Womanhood in MEA (Invite only)
2020 Milken Institute MEA Summit
2020 Milken Institute MEA Summit

Reclaiming the Narrative: Redefining Womanhood in MEA (Invite only)

Wednesday, February 12, 2020
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
St. Regis Saadiyat Island - Ballroom A2 (Hollow Circle 40/Perimeter 90)

Despite popular narratives of repressive and exploitative attitudes toward women in the Middle East and Africa, the region has experienced an unprecedented transformation in the last decade. A region that once prohibited geographic and social mobility for women, failed to criminalize violence against and harassment of women, and prohibited women's political agency has now seen formal reversals of all three negative policies in many countries. New catalysts of change in policy—as well as culture—did not previously exist. Activists, elected officials, and private-sector leaders are advocating change in ways that are consistent with, and respectful of, traditional beliefs and cultural values. Key issues for speculative discussion are what the future holds for women in the Middle East and Africa and—more importantly—what women hold for the future of the Middle East and Africa.