Recent analysis

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.

Events

Content

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

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

Experts