Brussels Forum: Women leaders promoting peace, human dignity and interfaith dialogue in the workplace

By Manel Msalmi, Brussels

Following women’s history month, a big forum on female leadership and interfaith dialogue was organised on March 19th in Brussels at the European Parliament by Empower Women Media and Abraham Women Alliance in collaboration with the European Association for The Defense of Minorities.

It was the first forum in Europe and Brussels which gathered more than 60 women’s rights organizations from MENA, South Asia and Europe after Marrakech, New York and Dubai forums. The EU as a beacon of democracy, freedom and human rights has so many inspiring initiatives which support peace, dialogue, brotherhood and harmony and contribute to an inclusive society.

Foto: Oscar Luigi Veronese

The forum was introduced by keynote speaker Mep Giusi Princi, member of women’s rights committee who welcomed this initiative and stressed the importance of education in implementing religious freedom as well as cultural Diplomacy in the EU as well as MENA and South Asia. The forum included the screening of four movies and three panels with female leaders from Ngo’s, Academia, Business and media.

The panels were moderated by Manel Msalmi women’s rights defender and isgap researcher and the movies introduced by film producer and producer Deborah Paul. Rhodi Mellek, a Belgian Journalist from Syrian-Kurdish descent highlighted the suffering of women and minorities in Syria after the Arab spring and the fall of Assad regime. Child marriage and honor killings are rising after the extremist islamists took power. The only solution for a united Syria is secularism and democracy as well as religious freedom.

Dr Firouzeh Nahavandi, an academic at ULB university from an Iranian descent who has been working on women in Iran and Afghanistan for decades to support women who are victims of persecution and discrimination by the extremist groups. Maneli Mirkhan, Secretary General of the House of Liberty, highlighted the challenging status of women’s rights in Iran. Researcher and communication expert Dr Amira Helperin from the UK shared findings on the effects of terrorist organizations on religious freedoms in Europe.

The following panel focused on humanitarian issues, including the necessity to establish a secure environment for women of diverse faiths. Mariam Shaw, a representative of women from the far West UK, addressed the humanitarian crisis occurring in Sudan and highlighted the suffering of women during the conflict as well as the rise of islamists who use sexual abuse and torture as a war weapon to subordinate women and minorities. Unfortunately Christian minorities and women are targeted by extremist islamists and civilians suffer from famine and lack Healthcare .

Cultural activist and entrepreneur Shreya Kaushik from Indian descent highlighted the need to work between different communities in Brussels and Europe to contribute to social inclusion and dialogue between the different religions and ethnicities.

Foto: Oscar Luigi Veronese

Aye Kari Soe head of international Burmese students from the Netherlands stressed the fact that young people and women are actors of change and they can contribute in shaping the society they live in by bridging the gap between communities and fighting against prejudices and hatespeech.

Malika Salim French human rights activist from a Yemeni and Comorian descent highlighted the initiatives of Jewish, Muslim and christian women in France who work together to fight antisemitism, racism and anti-Muslim hatred. She mentioned so many initiatives which bring women together and helped fighting against hate and separatism.

Khadija Chama cultural activist and painter in Belgium and from a Morroccan descent stressed the importance of art and painting in bringing women from different faiths together and fight against hatespeech as well as discrimination. Dipali De Beco, peace activist in Belgium from Indian descent stressedthe importance of compassion and solidarity between the different communities and how art and music can bring the different communities together and contribute to peace and harmony.

Finally, Ukrainian entrepreneur and founder of the charity “Aurum,” Alona Lebedieva, in her online speech, stressed the crucial role of women in society and the significance of their involvement in peace building endeavors. She pointed out that women’s leadership transforms the very essence of governance, rendering it more compassionate and progressive. The participants were happy to share their knowledge , expertise and practices in terms of women’s empowerment and interfaith dialogue and get a media training certificate which can be helpful in highlighting their work and commitment.