The 6th German-Arab Women’s Forum

‘‘Connecting women to empower the world’’

The 6th German-Arab Women’s Forum, one of the most significant events on the EMA calendar, brought together over 150 distinguished guests from Germany and the MENA region, fostering mentorship and collaboration for women’s empowerment. This forum hosted in Berlin, gathered our unique German-Arab women’s network under the inspiring motto: “Connecting women to empower the world“. Organized under the Feminist Development Policy from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Germany in cooperation with the Agency for Business and Development, the forum fostered cultural exchanges and international cooperation between Europe and the MENA region.

Clara Gruitrooy, Secretary General of EMA, opened the event together with her co-moderator Youmna Naufal, Geopolitical Advisor, Media Specialist, and the Director of APCO, by welcoming the Federal Minister Svenja Schulze and guests, emphasizing the importance of networks in overcoming challenges, and highlighting the critical role of women in advancing transformative change amid global and regional crises.

Empowerment Keynote by Minister Svenja Schulze

In her empowerment keynote Minister Schulze underscores why feminist development policy is pivotal; not just for social justice but for economic growth. She emphasizes that gender equality equates to untapped potential. Addressing the national and global pushback against gender advancements, she states:

“Achieving gender equality is a gain for societies as a whole. Feminist development policy strengthens women’s roles as knowledge bearers and decision-makers.”

Minister Schulze announces continued support for Ouissal in 2025 and 2026, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to empowering women and promoting leadership roles.

Transformative Journeys – Entrepreneurs Shaping Change

After her speech, Minister Schulze was invited to join the panel with three Ouissal participants from the current cohort. These participants shared their Ouissal experience and how the program helped them grow both personally and professionally. This panel explored how personal relationships and mentorship drive entrepreneurial success. Svenja Schulze and other panelists discussed the transformative impact of connections.

Marlis Jahnke, an OUISSAL mentor and digital entrepreneur, shared her experience mentoring women across several Ouissal editions. Dr. Rasha Aleid, a mentee of the program from Jordan recounted how mentorship helped her transition from running a small pharmaceutical business to leading a larger company. She noted the challenges of changing her mentality, especially as a chairwoman in a male-dominated sector, saying, “My mentor was really my sister through this journey.”.

Reem Ghazal, a co-founder from Egypt also a mentee of OUISSAL, reflected on how mentorship gave her the confidence to expand her business and manage products more effectively. She highlighted the role of co-creation in her entrepreneurial success. Minister Svenja Schulze’s powerful statement underscores the vital role of collaboration and networking in empowering women across various fields. By fostering connections and sharing resources, we not only uplift individual women but also contribute to broader societal and economic advancements. This perspective aligns seamlessly with the goals of the Ouissal mentoring program, which aims to create pathways for women to excel in their respective domains.

Inspiring Keynote by Dr. Anna Christmann

Dr. Anna Christmann, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Start-ups in Germany, spoke about the intersection of gender equality and digital transformation. She emphasized that fostering women’s participation in the tech and energy sectors is crucial for sustainable development. According to Dr. Christmann, “Mixed teams tend to enjoy commercial success and are more innovative,” reinforcing the idea that diversity strengthens business outcomes.

Socio-ecological Transformation and Just Transition

Following her keynote, Dr. Christmann joined the panel with Ouissal participants to discuss the importance of women entering male-dominated sectors like energy and digital industries. Dr. Nadia El Shafei, OUISSAL Mentor and managing partner from Egypt, spoke about the need to create opportunities for women to take on leadership roles and drive socio-ecological change. She emphasized the importance of rethinking traditional approaches, stating that “We need mindset shifts for women to see opportunities in fields they never considered before.”

OUISSAL Mentees Dr. Fella Bouti, CEO of Eco Tashira, and Ikbel Kaouiche, a product owner from Tunisia, shared their transformative journeys. Dr. Bouti highlighted how mentorship helped her gain confidence and expand her business in a challenging sector. Kaouiche emphasized the significance of mentoring in helping her lead projects in the tech industry

Shrinking Spaces – Countering the Global Pushback on Gender Equality

As global crises increasingly threaten civil liberties and gender equality, the role of networks like Ouissal becomes even more vital. This panel discussed how cultural, religious, and political dynamics in the MENA region influence approaches to these challenges. Susanne Friedrich, Director of AWE, emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to counteract the growing pushback against gender equality. She remarked, “We have seen a backlash against gender equality, with anti-feminist narratives emerging, especially in social media. More than ever, it’s essential to create opportunities and networks like Ouissal that address the local circumstances women face, offering tailored solutions and capacity building. By promoting spaces for intercultural exchange, we can foster innovation and contribute to more inclusive economic models.”

Dr. Sanaa El Aji, co-founder of Marayana.com from Morocco also a mentee of OUISSAL, discussed the media’s crucial role in promoting gender equality and combating misinformation. She emphasized the need to dismantle misconceptions about feminism while addressing both positive and negative narratives to highlight the real challenges women face.

Marwa Al Shamy, founder of Smart Content from Egypt also a mentee of OUISSAL, shared how the Ouissal program helped her align her technical skills with her entrepreneurial ambitions. She highlighted the importance of mentorship in building her confidence and understanding customer-oriented product development through stakeholder engagement.

Closing Remarks

Clara Gruitrooy and Youmna Naufal, in their closing remarks, emphasized the importance of long-term relationships and continued collaboration. They urged participants to stay connected and support one another beyond the forum, reinforcing the idea that Ouissal is not just a program but a lasting network. The panel discussions were followed by a captivating performance by Jamila & The Other Heroes, who closed the event with music celebrating unity and empowerment. The day ended with a networking reception, where participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas over dinner.

The Ouissal program continues to successfully connect female entrepreneurs, founders, and managers from countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Germany. The 6th German-Arab Women’s Forum not only celebrated these accomplishments but laid the foundation for future collaboration, ensuring that the network and its impact will continue to grow in the years to come.