Women

Women’s ability to participate fully and equally in political, social, economic, and cultural life can help spur economic growth, drive innovation, and ensure greater equity. Female representation in the highest levels of political and business leadership is still poor in many world democracies. Women across all segments of society face significant barriers to success. Removing these obstacles and empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders can have a transformative impact on economies and societies. 

Recent analysis

Ukraine’s women may hold the key to the country’s future security

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
Ukraine’s women may hold the key to the country’s future security

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
Ukraine’s women may hold the key to the country’s future security

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

The MENA Futures Lab 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 Middle East Technology & Innovation
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

UkraineAlert

Feb 26, 2026

Ukraine’s women may hold the key to the country’s future security

By Calin Trenkov-Wermuth, Sofia Kryshtal

Ukraine's female population should play a larger part in the country's future security strategy and can take on a wide range of military support and administrative roles far from the front lines, write Calin Trenkov-Wermuth and Sofia Kryshtal.

Conflict Defense Policy

UkraineAlert

Jan 27, 2026

Unable to win on the battlefield, Putin escalates war on Ukrainian civilians

By Peter Dickinson

A war crime of staggering proportions is currently unfolding in full public view across Ukraine as Russia methodically bombs the country’s utilities in a calculated bid to freeze millions of civilians in their own homes and spark a humanitarian catastrophe, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Dec 10, 2025

Resistance and resilience: Lessons from South Africa for Afghanistan’s fight against gender apartheid

By Farhat Ariana Azami

Zubeida Jaffar from South Africa and Tamana Zaryab Paryani from Afghanistan in conversation with Farhat Ariana Azami.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Dec 4, 2025

How the United States can harness its sports diplomacy moment, as the FIFA World Cup nears

By Katherine Golden

Foreign diplomats, US officials, and figures from the world of soccer gathered at our studios to talk about the power of sports diplomacy.

Politics & Diplomacy United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2025

How we women of Afghanistan are defying Taliban repression

By Sara

Recounting her own ordeals with the Taliban, an Afghan woman shares how each new restriction pushes women and girls further into confinement.

Afghanistan Human Rights

Dispatches

Nov 19, 2025

How we women of Afghanistan are defying Taliban repression

By Sara

Recounting her own ordeals with the Taliban, an Afghan woman shares how each new restriction pushes women and girls further into confinement.

Afghanistan Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Nov 10, 2025

Angelina Jolie highlights the horrors of Russia’s ‘human safari’ in Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie paid a surprise visit to Ukraine in early November to help raise international awareness about Russia's 'human safari' campaign of drone killings targeting Ukrainian civilians, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Drones

UkraineAlert

Nov 6, 2025

Ukraine’s youth exodus highlights mounting demographic challenges

By Kateryna Odarchenko, Zoryana Golovata

Thousands of young Ukrainian men have left the country since the relaxation of martial law travel restrictions in August. The exodus has highlighted Ukraine's mounting demographic challenges, write Kateryna Odarchenko, Zoryana Golovata.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Oct 31, 2025

Twenty-five years on, advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is more urgent than ever

By Melanne Verveer and Ana Lejava

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security on October 31, 2000, but its implementation remains incomplete.

International Norms Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Oct 24, 2025

In the shadow of gender apartheid: Four years of loss and resistance by women in Afghanistan

By Mursal Sayas

It is important not only to document the grim reality of gender apartheid under the Taliban but also to honor the women of Afghanistan's persistence.

Afghanistan Education
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Experts

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Mika Abdullaeva

Senior Advisor, Department of State

Central Asia Resilience & Society

Fellow

Gbemisola Abudu

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Hanaa Almoaibed

Nonresident senior fellow

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

Arabic Economy & Business

Fellow

Shahira Amin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Arabic Economy & Business
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Staff

Jenna Ben-Yehuda

Executive Vice President

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense
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