5 Important Highlights from the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024

• Youth and Women Empowerment: Discussions highlighted empowering youth through education, critical thinking, and technology, as well as women’s roles in driving societal progress and reshaping communities. Key initiatives like the UAE’s National Youth Agenda 2031 and Bahrain’s talent database were spotlighted at Global Women’s Forum Dubai.
• Leadership and Resilience: Aseefa Bhutto Zardari emphasized women’s resilience in leadership, addressing double standards and her advocacy in public health, particularly against polio. Her insights inspired calls for persistence and purpose-driven leadership.
• Global Collaboration and Influence: Themed “The Power of Influence,” the forum showcased cross-border partnerships and innovative strategies, uniting over 6,000 participants to address issues like economic empowerment, digital safety, and global challenges.

The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 offered an inspiring platform for discussions on youth empowerment, social change, women’s leadership, and public health.

Here are five key highlights from this remarkable event:

1. Youth Empowerment: A Positive Outlook for the Future

A panel titled “Youth: A Positive Outlook for the Future” highlighted the importance of empowering the younger generation. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Rawan bint Najeeb Tawfeeqi, Bahrain’s Minister of Youth Affairs, shared insights on preparing youth for future challenges.

Dr. Al Neyadi emphasized early education, equipping children with skills such as critical thinking, effective research, and responsible technology use. He also introduced the UAE’s National Youth Agenda 2031, which aims to position Emirati youth as global role models. Similarly, Tawfeeqi shared Bahrain’s efforts to nurture young talent through a national database designed to unlock their potential.

2. Women and Social Innovation: Agents of Change

In a session titled “Social Innovation: Creating Change for Good,” speakers such as Helena Lersch (TikTok), Asa Skogstrom Feldt (IKEA Social Entrepreneurship), and Dr. Nawar Assem (Dream Organisation) explored women’s pivotal role in driving societal progress.

The discussion highlighted how women naturally inspire social change, from reshaping hardened mindsets to fostering innovation within communities. Success stories included IKEA’s collaborations with social entrepreneurs and TikTok’s partnerships in the UAE to promote digital safety and creative social impact.

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3. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on Women in Leadership

In a powerful conversation with Hadley Gamble from Al Arabiya News, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s First Lady, shared her perspective on women’s resilience in leadership. She highlighted the double standards women face, reflecting that “women work twice as hard for half the acknowledgment.”

Aseefa’s advocacy extends beyond politics to public health, particularly in the fight against polio. She shared her family’s decades-long commitment to eradicating the disease and addressed challenges like vaccine misinformation and attacks on health workers.

4. Collaboration Across Borders

The forum emphasized cross-border collaboration as a key to progress. Whether through Bahrain’s innovative talent scouting or the UAE’s focus on youth leadership, the shared vision underscored the need for nations to work together to address global challenges.

By leveraging education, technology, and shared values, the forum showcased how partnerships between countries, organizations, and individuals can turn challenges into opportunities for collective growth.

5. The Power of Influence

The forum, which had the theme “The Power of Influence,” brought together over 6,000 participants, 250 speakers, and 25 ministers worldwide. Sessions addressed diverse issues, from economic empowerment to digital safety, leaving a lasting impact on attendees and participants.

Women’s leadership was a central theme, with stories of resilience, determination, and purpose inspiring future generations to lead with empathy and persistence.