Egypt’s First Female President: Why not?

In the event of the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, the participation of women in politics and business has again topped the government agenda and public debate. On one hand, Law 38 of 1972 on the Egyptian People's Assembly (Lower House) was amended in June 2009 to establish a quota of 64 seats to which the nominations will be restricted to women. On the other hand, the State Council (Maglis Al Dawla) voted by an overwhelming majority against appointing women as judges in February 2010. According to the Arab Human Development Report 2005, many advancements in women’s participation in various spheres have been achieved; however Egyptian women MPs remain an absolute minority in the Egyptian legislative bodies. Only three women are appointed ministers out of the thirty two cabinet positions. Not a single woman has been appointed governor out of Egypt’s 29 governorates. And out of Egypt’s 20 public universities, only one woman has been appointed President. In short, women’s participation in politics and business while improving remains very limited.
On Sunday June 27, 2010 at 6.00 pm the Forum will be hosting this high tea event with distinguished speakers:

Dr. Alia El Mahdi, Dean, Faculty of Economics & Political 

Dr. Hoda Badran, Chairperson, Alliance for Arab Women

H.E. Mervat El-Tallway, Frmr Minister of Insurance and Social Affairs

Dr. Mona Makram Ebeid, Distinguished Professor, American University in

H.E. Seyada Greiss, Member of Parliament

H.E. Tahany El-Gibaly, Judge, Supreme Court

Opening Remarks
Ms. Loula Zaklama, President & Managing Director, Rada Research and Public RelationsModerated by: Mr. Osama Heikal