Arab International Women's Forum

AIWF (short for Arab International Women's Forum) (Arabic: منتدى العالمي للنساء العربيات ) is a London-based umbrella organisation which brings together 1,500 associations, individuals, corporations and partnerships from 45 different nations spanning 6 continents.

Aims

The aims of AIWF is to give Arab women the equal rights as men both in the workforce and in society, in modesty.

By allowing women to educate themselves and give them more access to computers, technology and university scholarships they can achieve business, educational and governmental roles. It shows women their potential in business and trade, something the Middle East is known for.

Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani

As Founder and Chairwoman of the Forum, Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani is working hard to give Arab women a voice in the outer society. She began with the vision of putting to help Arab women become "part and parcel of the international community." She then hastily began to put together a 'formal network of Arab and international businesswomen as well as female community leaders to expand the growing role of women in the global marketplace and decision-making'.

Al Kaylani is also member of the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement and is also a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the Harvard University.

Progression in Society

Since establishment the organisation has put Arab women in a more comfortable position. Governments, institutes and charities have recognised the work while other groups have supported the group as partners and associates.

One idea is that women are given educational and working opportunities meaning that they will be able to make their mark in society as a whole and as individuals. Part of a 2005 report, AIWF suggested that Arab men be given paternal leave from work to look after children rather than leaving all the work to women, through role balancing.

Work

AIWF has been acclaimed for 'building bridges and breaking the barriers'. They have made it possible for so many women to get education, jobs and high-status roles in society and allowing them to 'help themselves'. Businesses and organisations have been able to contact and associate with people in their same position located in other countries. Arab women residing in Britain and Europe can now make business engagements with ladies in the Middle East giving them more potential for business and community work and profit.