The Arab Women's Legal Network
 |
| Visit the Arab Women's Legal Network site. |
The Arab Women's Legal Network is a non-profit, nongovernmental regional entity that aims to facilitate the advancement of Arab women working in the legal field. The Network brings together judges, legal practitioners, legal advisors in government and nongovernmental organizations, legal academics and other qualified women working in the legal field by providing a forum for the exchange of expertise, the provision of specialized training and professional development programs and the publication of materials aimed at strengthening Arab women in the law.
Members of the Network will have the opportunity to:
- participate in programs specifically designed to enhance women's professional capacity and legal knowledge
- develop working relationships with other female legal professionals in the region
- play an active role in raising awareness of women's rights at all levels through collaboration with fellow members of the Network
- strengthen the position of women in the legal field through mutual support and alliances
- contribute to a legal journal published periodically
- support future generations of women in the law through participation in a mentoring and fellowship program
- network with legal experts from the region and abroad.
Background
The idea of the Network was conceived in February 2004 at a meeting of female legal professionals from across the region who gathered in Jordan to discuss issues facing women in the legal profession as well as women's legal rights more broadly. A fifteen-member Steering Committee formed out of the 2004 Conference convened one year later and engaged in a strategic planning process to develop the goals and structure of the Network. The Network was registered on July 10, 2005.
On July 16, 2005, the association was officially launched when more than 90 women from 16 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen) gathered in Amman, Jordan, under the Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdallah for the First Annual Meeting and Training Program of the Network. Under the theme Pioneering Women in the Law, the program included training on a range of legal topics and skills, and provided the opportunity for participants to interact with their counterparts across the region.
Structure
Registered and headquartered in Jordan, the Network is governed by a seven-member Executive Board. The first Executive Board of the Network is made up of judges and lawyers from Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia.
Network activities will be conducted throughout the region and coordinated through liaisons in each member country.
A three-to-five member Advisory board made up of accomplished professionals representing a cross section of the legal profession will also be appointed by the Executive Board. Advisory Board members will be drawn from countries not currently represented on the Executive Board.
Network Activities
Network activities center around five key areas aimed at fulfilling the mission of the Network.
Professional Development and Training Programs: The Network will implement programs at multiple locations throughout the region covering a broad range of topics and practice areas so as to appeal to all potential Network members. In its first year, the Network aims to run between 10 and 15 regional and sub-regional training programs.
Publications: The Network aims at enriching Arab legal scholarship by publishing a biannual legal journal that will include articles on current legal issues, essays and book reviews.
Small Grants: The Network will operate a small grants program under which members will be able to apply for funding to run local and national activities that further the Network's objectives.
Mentoring Program: This program endeavors to match new lawyers seeking guidance in their careers with experienced members of the profession. Matches will be made based on interest, location and any other criteria the program participants may state.
Women's Advocacy: The Network aims to support women's rights advocacy by partnering with women's rights groups and by developing the skills and outreach of women's rights advocates through its professional development programs, publications and web site.
More information on the AWLN's activities and calendar of events is available at www.qanouniyat.org.
Registration and Membership
Membership in the Network is open to women holding law degrees and working in the legal field in an Arab Country (as defined by the league of Arab States). Members must be of good standing in the profession and support the objectives of the organization. Honorary membership may also be extended to individuals of distinction who meet at least one of the criteria of membership. Registration forms may be downloaded at www.qanouniyat.org.
Although membership is currently open free of charge, in the future fees may be charged for membership, training courses, publications and participation in annual meetings, as well as for other services. The Network also accepts grants and other financial donations from individuals and organizations and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with other professional associations operating at the national level towards common objectives. Financial and technical support is currently provided to the Network by the American Bar Association.
