#IPEVLIVE | Listening to Women in the MENA Region Before and After the Arab Spring

Violence and the widespread public desire to transition from violence has been a major concern in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region for many Years. More recently, the pandemic has increased the level of misery and dislocation in the MENA region amid fears that desperate current circumstances may trigger more violence. At the same time, the pandemic crisis may also present new opportunities for a more peaceful future in the MENA region and even a more hopeful model for the rest of the world.

To discuss these risks and opportunities, the Fondation Maison de Sciences de l’Homme is launching #IPEVLIVE, a series of eight live conversations as part of IPEV - International Panel on Exiting Violence.

Join us for the second session of #IPEVLive: Listening to Women in the MENA Region Before and After the Arab Spring

This conversation will focus on gender-based oppression and violence directed toward women as fundamental elements of social structures that promote state-sanctioned violence, sectarian violence, and social violence.

Gender-based strategies to reduce violence are often regarded as tangential issues that are best addressed after other sociopolitical concerns. But a growing body of evidence identified by scholars on this panel indicates gender-based analysis must instead be placed at the center of efforts to reduce violence in the MENA region, findings which have significant implications for other regions, as well.

Speakers

• Ahlem Bousserwel, Program coordinator, UN Women
• Nadje Al-Ali, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, Brown University
• Farhat Sana, reporter

Moderated by Hal Plotkin, an American journalist and broadcaster and a former Senior Policy Advisor in the administration of the U.S. President Barack Obama.