General Information

​The WTDC is a process leading to decision-making for the strategies and objectives of development of telecommunications/ICT at the international level. The Network of Women (NOW) for the telecommunication development sector aims to encourage gender balance at every opportunity in the activities leading up to the WTDC-21 conference.

In the Arab region, through this side event dedicated to Network of Women for the WTDC21, which held on the first day of Regional Preparatory Meeting for WTDC-21 for Arab Region on 7 April 2021, 12:00-12:30 hrs. (GMT+2) on Zoom platform, we kick start the NoW4WTDC-21 in the region and aspire to build a community where female delegates support each other, expand their network, advocate and share experience and knowledge. 

The main objectives of this network are as follows: 

  • Provide role models for new women to the ICT /ITU-D sector.
  • Provide a platform for exchange of information between new and experienced delegates from the Arab region.
  • Provide advice and support from Arab women who have successfully ascended to leadership positions.
  • Offer a neutral platform for gender diversity in ICT. 

The meeting suggests that this initiative be continued as an initiative beyond WTDC-21 at the regional level.  Moreover, the ITU Arab Regional Office is invited to consult with member states to make the Network of Women inclusive of all three sectors. 

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Programme

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13:00-13:05​Welcome

• Doreen Bogdan-Martin, BDT Director, International Telecommunication Union

Special address

• Deemah  Al Yahya , Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)

13:05-13:08

Event Moderator:

  • Shahira Selim, Expert, International Policies, TRA, Egypt, and Vice Chair Arab Group

    for the preparation of WTDC-21

Experiences on nurturing the participation of women in BR's activities.

• Perspectives on NOW at the World Radio Conferences

Noha Gaafar,  Expert, International Policies, TRA, Egypt

13:08-13:18

The experiences of female leaders and role models in WTDC process

• Role and responsibilities in the WTDC preparatory process

•Learning points for delegates

Discussants

  • Reham Elmayet, Telecommunications Expert, ICT Development Department,

    League of Arab States
  • Sameera Bilal, Manager of Technical Office of CEO, CITRA, Kuwait, and Vice

    Chair of Arab Group for the preparation for WTDC-21
  • Amal Khiar, Telecommunications Engineer, Technical Department, Algeria

    Telecom, Algeria, and Vice Rapporteur Q4/2 SG 2
  • Aysha Binsanad, Director, Telecommunications, Ministry of Transportation and

    Telecommunications, Bahrain
13:18-13:28

Open discussion on establishment of NOW in Arab Region 

• The need for greater female representation in tech

• Gaps that can be addressed by NoW

•Introducing NoW in the Arab region

13:28-13:30 Summary and Closing session​


Contact

Ms. Rouda AlAmir Ali
Programme Officer
ITU Regional Office for Arab States

rouda.alamirali@itu.int

 

Social Media 

Twitter @ITUArabStates​


Arab States Network of W​omen​ for WTDC-21 (NoW4WTDC21)​

7 April 2021