The Walkley Foundation, in association with the Australian-Arab Women's Dialogue, invites you to hear from three women leaders about how the media – particularly social media – is being used as a critical tool for women’s empowerment and building and sustaining democratic practice in the region.
Since early 2011, the world has been transfixed by momentous changes unfolding in the Middle East as a result of the Arab Spring. Women are playing a critical role in developments through their efforts to secure basic rights, equity and justice.
Join our high-profile guests Rana Husseini (Jordan), Samar Fatany (Saudi Arabia) and Zeina Daccache (Lebanon) in conversation with award-winning Australian journalist and ABC Canberra news anchor Virginia Haussegger at this special event, hosted in partnership with the State Library of NSW.
THIS EVENT IS FREE, BUT BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL
VENUE: Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW
TIME: 6.30pm
DATE: 21 March 2013
TO RSVP: Phone (02) 9273 1414 or visit www.sl.nsw.gov.au
SPEAKERS:
Rana Husseini (Jordan)
As an award-winning journalist with The Jordan Times, Ms Husseini’s tireless campaign against violence against women in the name of family honour resulted in the Jordanian government introducing legal and judicial changes outlining tougher punishments for perpetrators. The author and advocate has also served as a special adviser on women’s issues and press freedom to UN Women, Equality Now and Freedom House.
Samar Fatany (Saudi Arabia)
A writer for The Saudi Gazette, Khaleej Times and Asia Week, Ms Fatany is a former head of the English service and chief broadcaster at Jeddah Radio Station, affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Information, Saudi Arabia. She is actively involved in the fight against extremism and supports initiatives to enhance women’s roles in society. She is a founder of the Alkalimah Literary Society and the author of four books: Saudi Perceptions & Western Misconceptions, A New Era For Saudi Women, Saudi Challenges and Reforms and Modernizing Saudi Arabia.
Zeina Daccache(Lebanon)
A clinical psychologist, drama therapist, actress, film director and comedian, Ms Daccache directed the multiple award-winning documentary and play 12 Angry Lebanese with male inmates in Roumieh prison. Her other advocacy works include the documentary Any (2007) with women from the South of Lebanon who were survivors of the July 2006 War; 12 Angry Lebanese (2009) - both the play and documentary and Scheherazade in Baabda (2012), with women inmates from Baabda Prison.
This talk is presented as part of the inaugural Australian-Arab Women’s Dialogue, which has invited to Australia eight women leaders from across the Middle East making significant contributions to their emerging democracies.
In Australia, they will explore women’s participation in contemporary developments in the Arab world and Australia through discussions in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
http://www.walkleys.com/walkleymediatalks
For more information, visit www.ausarabwomensdialogue.org.au
