Mideast Group Convenes Forum for Women

The Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF) collaborated with the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance and the Mudara Institute of Directors (IOD) to present its first regional seminar on corporate governance hosted by and for women.

Titled Directorship, Development and Diversity: Challenges for Women in Governance, the seminar featured speakers from the Mudara Institute of Directors, the Women's Strategy Group, Egypt's International Economic Forum, DLA Piper Middle East, the Commercial International Bank, and the IFC.

In an opening statement presented at Egypt's International Economic Forum, AIWF Chairman Haifa Al Kaylani said: "AIWF firmly believes that the relevance and significance of effective corporate governance practices must not be underestimated in the region's current environment of fast-track economic and social growth. Through this seminar, AIWF hopes to reiterate the need for a paradigm change in the attitude and mindset of business houses of the Arab World towards good governance."

The AIWF,, established in London in 2001, seeks to connect Arab and international women in key positions in business and professions, promote cultural diversity, and create public awareness of the challenges of bringing more women into the economic life of the region and the advantages of making that happen.