Forum to empower Arab women online

Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment.

 There won't be a dispute to the fact that women are still an under-represented community on various social media platforms across the world. The region is no different, however, the UAE has taken several initiatives to empower women in tune with the changing times. The most recent example is the inclusion of more women in the UAE cabinet, as announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Now, Dubai is getting ready to host the first Global Women's Forum, which will explore digital tools to drive women's active participation from the Mena region online. The Global Women's Forum Dubai will take place on February 23-24 in Dubai under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammed, co-organised by the Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) and the Women's Forum for the Economy & Society.
The highlight of the forum is the Twitter initiative #PositionOfStrength, aimed at providing a greater share of voice to Arab women in the region on Twitter and the wider digital space.
During the interactive sessions at the forum, Twitter ambassadors will encourage inspiring women to speak for 140 seconds on an issue related to women's empowerment.
The event will be led by Shaikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
Kira O'Connor, head of Trust & Safety Outreach for Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA) of Twitter, said: "We truly believe in the democratising nature of the platform - Twitter can be a tool of empowerment for women to speak out from a position of strength online."
Shamsa Saleh, CEO of DWE, said: "Bringing innovative new media platforms to Global Women's Forum Dubai is an essential part of the event - by establishing a creative environment for enterprising women in our region to actively engage in global conversations. Twitter's global #PositionofStrength initiative at Global Women's Forum Dubai will be a crucial platform for female Arab voices to be heard with all women across the world, helping to break down inaccurate stereotypes of women in the Middle East."
The forum is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants and 200 speakers and international delegates.
It will bring together leaders from across the world - men and women - who will consider new perspectives for today and tomorrow; creating a global network capable of boosting women; conceiving innovative and concrete action plans to encourage women's contribution to society; and promoting diversity in the business world.
The initiative #PositionOfStrength, is mainly designed to educate and advise women and under-represented communities around the world on how to promote, preserve and protect their voices on digital platforms.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com