SAWI in Arabic - ساوي - resonates deeply with me. It captures the essence of "to equate," a principle that has fueled my passion for nearly a decade. Ten years ago, as I embarked on this journey with Women Economic Empowerment (WEE), starting with KIP, and now the SAWI project, a staggering statistic confronted me: "50 million women will come of working age in the next decade in the MENA."
This sparked critical questions: How do we prepare? What roles do educators, employers, policymakers, and businesses play in shaping responsible and successful communities? Thus, our mission to empower employers in the MENA region was born.
Our focus is steadfast on working to make workplaces and HR systems more women-inclusive, with dignified work at the core of all that we do. This focus is upheld by three pillars:
> Building Decision-Maker Capacity: We equip HR managers and decision-makers with the tools to take a hard look at the structures that exclude and to take steps toward women's inclusion.
> Mobilizing Partnerships: Together, across borders, languages, disciplines, and generations, we strategically enhance women's recruitment, retention, and promotion in the MENA region.
> Structural Change: Through data-driven insights, we advocate for and implement women-inclusive HR policies and practices.
Along this journey, we have gained invaluable insights that highlight the significance of our gathering today. It's a beacon of hope amid the challenges and resistance faced by those tirelessly striving for women's inclusion, combating historical marginalization and exploitation.
In solidarity,
CHARLOTTE KARAM, Ph.D.
Ian Telfer Professorship in Inclusive Human Resource Systems
Director and Primary Investigator of the SAWI Project
Professor, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Adjunct Professor, American University of Beirut (AUB)
If you see yourself and your organization as a catalyst for change,
get in touch to learn more about our programs and campaigns.