The Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute, CARE, and the City of Houston Office of International Communities are hosting a panel discussion to highlight the crucial role of women in promoting economic development and innovation worldwide, with a special focus on the Middle East. As former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, “Achieving our objectives for global development will demand accelerated efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. Otherwise, peace and prosperity will have their own glass ceiling.” This panel discussion — featuring community leaders, policymakers and scholars — will shed light on the economic challenges facing women and propose concrete policy recommendations for empowering women to build safe, just and economically vibrant societies. The event also aims at informing the public about the importance of foreign aid in combating global poverty and promoting women’s rights.
Featured Speaker
The Honorable Annise Parker
Mayor of Houston
Panelists
David Ray
Head of Policy and Advocacy, CARE USA; and Managing Director, CARE Action Now
Marwa Shalaby, Ph.D.
Director, Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program, Rice University’s Baker Institute
Cristal Montañéz Baylor
Executive Director, Hashoo Foundation USA
Rogelio Garcia-Contreras, Ph.D.
Director, Social Entrepreneurship Program, and Associate Professor, Center for International Studies, University of St. Thomas
Moderator
Terence O’Neill
Division Manager, City of Houston Office of International Communities
