Speech by Prof. Dr. Fadia Kiwan, Director General of the Arab Women Organization

At a ceremony for the State of Libya to receive the presidency of the Supreme Council of the Arab Women Organization (AWO)

7/11/2021

Dear Guests,

We are honored and pleased to receive Her Excellency Minister Tarmal and the accompanying Libyan delegation on their first visit to the Arab Women Organization, as H.E. the Minister will receive the presidency of the Supreme Council of the Organization for the tenth round 2021-2023, according to regulations applied in AWO.

The presidency is transferred from the Republic of Lebanon to the State of Libya.
Allow me to express my thanks and appreciation to the Republic of Lebanon, and especially to H.E. Mrs. Claudine Aoun, for her efforts and enthusiasm she showed during the Lebanese presidency of the Supreme Council.
Our thanks to H.E. Mrs. Claudine Aoun also goes back to her important role in organizing and the eighth general conference of the organization, as she has always been keen, despite the emergence of the Corona pandemic, for this conference to be held with the widest Arab and international participation.
I request the Chargé d'Affairs to convey to H.E. Mrs. Aoun our deep appreciation and gratitude.

Your Excellency Mrs. Minister,
As we Go back to the establishment of AWO in 2003, we must recognize the major role of the Supreme Council during that process, with the participation of a distinguished group of first ladies whom had vision for women's issues, and we can definitely say that; with the establishment of the Arab Women Organization, the joint Arab action had a breakthrough.
These women were determined to break the silence, and break the stereotype images of women which were popular in the Arab and Islamic culture and the media.

It is worth noting that the establishment of the AWO in 2003 preceded the establishment of the Un Women.
The Arab Women Organization has a distinguished structure; the Supreme Council, which brings together the first ladies or their representatives, and the Executive Council that brings together women ministers or chairmen of national women's mechanisms.
While the presidency of the Supreme Council in the current round is to the State of Libya, the presidency of the Executive Council for the year 2021 is to the Republic of Iraq.

The Arab Women Organization status was characterized by two phases: a golden first phase that extended until 2011, which witnessed support and encouragement from its member states, and a second phase, from 2011 until recently, which was a very difficult stage, as the organization was faced a major opisticals and challenges due to instability in the region, but a few years ago, it seems that the situation has become destined for stability in many Arab countries. We pray to God that all Arab countries enjoy stability and peace and that women's issues have the utmost attention.

Your Excellency,
It is with no doubt that women and girls were main targets in armed conflicts, and were victims of those wars, as women suffered displacement, violence, and in some cases "systematic" war crimes.
Yesterday, Iraq celebrated the fourth anniversary of the exodus of terrorist organizations from the city of Mosul, While the state of Libya, started the construction process, in this regard, the Arab Women Organization is committed to supporting the governments and developing programs to empower women and girls in all fields, especially in the economic, political and educational fields.
AWO is adopting programs to develop legislation and empower parliamentarians, judges, and national institutions and is willing to provide its expertise to Arab governments that are currently working on rebuilding and developing their institutions and capacities. AWO can also coordinate between Arab countries that have experienced wars and conflicts to develop a special program to integrate women and girls.

On the other hand, The Arab countries, with the lead of the State of Libya, may submit a proposal for a resolution to the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations concerning integrating women and girls, victims of conflict arms.
Your Excellency,
You are facing a special task because it needs a visionary leadership in order to overcome the challenges it faces. My team and I are with you on this mission.
Congratulations on the presidency of the Supreme Council and all success.