Recent analysis

Princess Reema tells Saudi women entrepreneurs to dream big

MENASource Apr 8, 2025

Legalizing child marriage in Iraq: Stepping back from the brink

By Sareta Ashraph

While there have been some elements of relief that the Iraq parliament has pulled back from legalizing child marriage, the situation remains dynamic.
Iraq Middle East
Princess Reema tells Saudi women entrepreneurs to dream big

AfricaSource Mar 17, 2025

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

By Rama Yade

African women deserve recognition not just for the indignities they face, but for the heights they achieve.
Africa Resilience & Society
Princess Reema tells Saudi women entrepreneurs to dream big

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

Programs

empowerME at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East is shaping solutions to empower entrepreneurs, women, and youth and building coalitions of public and private partnerships to drive regional economic integration, prosperity, and job creation.

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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

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

In the News

May 7, 2021

Lakhani joins XOCO Unlimited to discuss the role of Pakistani women in the investment space

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Future of Work

In the News

Apr 29, 2021

Slavin quoted in VOA on Iran’s election to UN Women’s Rights Commission
Human Rights Iran

In-Depth Research & Reports

Apr 29, 2021

Iranian women in the year 1400: The struggle for equal rights continues

By Mehrangiz Kar and Azadeh Pourzand

A new report outlines an image of women’s struggles for equality to help US policymakers better understand the intricacies of Iranian society and to design policies that support—but do not supplant or undermine—the women’s movement.

Conflict Iran

IranSource

Apr 29, 2021

COVID-19 depressed women’s employment everywhere, and more so in Iran

By Nadereh Chamlou

In Iran, the closures and the pandemic have depressed women’s already low economic participation rates by about 20 percent. However, even during periods of relatively high economic rates of growth, female labor force participation and unemployment rates have remained unmoved.

Iran Middle East

NATO 20/2020

Apr 9, 2021

Listen to women: NATO 20/2020 podcast

By Cori Lynne Fleser

Twenty years after its creation, NATO should affirm the strategic significance of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda and define what it means for an era of great power competition.

Europe & Eurasia NATO
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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

Fellow

Marie Forestier 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic French
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