Resilience

Women

The world is grappling with multiple ongoing conflicts, geopolitical turmoil, extreme weather events, and threats to democracy: These challenges uniquely impact women and girls—and women and girls are essential in addressing them.

Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

AfricaSource Mar 17, 2025

This Women’s History Month, focus on African women’s achievements, not just their challenges

African women deserve recognition not just for the indignities they face, but for the heights they achieve.

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Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

MENASource Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Syria
Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World Feb 10, 2025

Cameroon’s future relies on empowering its women 

By Vera Songwe

To build a stronger, more prosperous Cameroon, the country must prioritize boosting economic and political freedoms and invest in managing its environmental resources. This strategy will not only benefit Cameroonian women but also prove most impactful in advancing the nation as a whole.
Corruption Energy & Environment

Women’s rights

Inside Afghanistan’s gender apartheid

Since retaking Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has issued dozens of repressive decrees designed to systematically oppress the women and girls of the country. Hear directly from Afghans on the profound impacts of the escalating gender apartheid.

Listen to the women’s voices
Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

Inside the Taliban’s gender apartheid Aug 26, 2024

The Taliban’s violence ‘ignited a fierce resistance within me.’ A protester’s story.

Nayra Kohestani recounts the abuse and imprisonment she and her children suffered for resisting the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime.

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Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

New Atlanticist Aug 14, 2024

I was imprisoned and tortured by the Taliban for protesting gender apartheid in Afghanistan

By Zholia Parsi

Zholia Parsi describes protesting against gender apartheid in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned and abuse she faced as a result.
Afghanistan Human Rights
Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

Inside the Taliban’s gender apartheid Apr 30, 2024

Don’t look away: The Taliban’s mistreatment of women has global ramifications

By Samira Abrar

The Taliban’s impunity for its violations of international human rights law poses grave risks to women’s rights worldwide.
Afghanistan Human Rights

Events

Public Event Mon, April 14, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Book launch of “Night Train to Odesa: Covering the Human Cost of Russia’s War”
Human Rights Nationalism Resilience Resilience & Society
Public Event Tue, February 18, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

The role of AI in transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship International Markets Middle East
Online Event Tue, January 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Innovating for good: Jordan’s impact-driven startups
Artificial Intelligence Civil Society Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Content

MENASource

Jul 19, 2021

Women in Venture Capital: “We don’t need to fix women—we need to fix the system,” says Middle East investment executive

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On July 14, 2021 the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop featuring a keynote fireside chat with Lazard Gulf Limited CEO Farah Foustok. Read the key takeaways.

Economy & Business Middle East

Event Recap

Jul 12, 2021

Event recap: The importance of inclusivity in the Afghan peace process

By Fahim Ahmad

An event recap for the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and Afghanistan’s Mechanism for Inclusive Peace (AMIP)'s discussion on the importance of inclusivity in the Afghan peace process.

Afghanistan Civil Society

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 30, 2021

Letter in support of the Afghan people by friends of Afghanistan: As US and NATO forces withdraw, we must not abandon the Afghan people and their democratic republic

This is an open letter organized by a coalition of Afghan women and friends of Afghanistan. The Afghan Women’s Network together with a larger coalition of Our Voices - Our Future and Together Stronger work to achieve peace and demand an end to the conflict and an equal representation of women across fields in Afghanistan. We believe in inclusive, just, practical, and sustainable peace in which women are equal citizens of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Human Rights

In the News

Jun 29, 2021

Saudi Gazette covered empowerME’s Igniting Women’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Saudi Arabia workshop

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

In the News

Jun 28, 2021

Shahid joins Clubhouse to discuss family planning and politics in India

By Atlantic Council

India Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jun 28, 2021

Princess Reema tells Saudi women entrepreneurs to dream big

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

On June 23, 2021 the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative held a workshop featuring a keynote fireside chat with Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, which was moderated by US Embassy Riyadh Chargé D’Affaires Martina Strong, and a panel discussion with Endeavor Saudi Arabia Managing Director Lateefa Alwaalan, 500 Startups MENA Partner Amal Dokhan, S&P Global Chief Public & Government Affairs Officer Courtney Geduldig, and UPS Vice President for Community Relations Esther Ndichu, which was moderated by empowerME Director and Resident Senior Fellow Amjad Ahmad.

Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

IranSource

Jun 24, 2021

A look at Iran’s new First Lady

By Fatemeh Haghighatjoo

It’s important to take a close look at President-elect Ebrahim Raisi's wife, Jamileh Alamolhoda, and, more importantly, how the couple will impact women’s rights in Iran.

Iran Middle East

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 16, 2021

REVIVING India’s informal workforce and entrepreneurs

By South Asia Center

Join the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and Samhita's Collective Good Foundation for a conversation on what the leaders of the REVIVE Alliance have learned about creating meaningful partnerships that support the revival, resilience and prosperity of informal sector workers, with a focus on women’s livelihoods, amid the pandemic stricken economy. This conversation will be available to watch on Wednesday, June 23rd at 10 AM EST / 19:30 PM IST.

Economy & Business India

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 14, 2021

The importance of inclusivity in the Afghan peace process

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the Afghanistan Mechanism for Inclusive Peace (AMIP) host a conversation on the importance of an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan that truly reflects the people whom it represents.

Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Resilience & Society

Event Recap

Jun 1, 2021

Event recap: “I’ll Meet You There” with Iram Parveen Bilal and Shuja Nawaz

By Atlantic Council

On May 21, 2021, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal for a conversation on her new film, I’ll Meet You There, and the underlying issues it addresses relating to immigrants, identity, race and surveillance, and more.

Civil Society Human Rights
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Experts

Fellow

Aminata Niang

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Future of Work

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Staff

Natalia Storz

Program Assistant

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Staff

Marina Meyjes

Project Assistant

GeoTech Center

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment
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