BRIEFING

Distinguished Women in International Affairs Series Hosts UN General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa

In September, the Elliott School’s Distinguished Women in International Affairs series hosted Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, president of the United Nations General Assembly, for a discussion on “Women in the Arab World: Law and Practice.”

The Distinguished Women series, which is generously funded by Elliott School parents Jack and Pam Cumming, brings renowned women leaders to speak with the Elliott School community about important issues in international affairs. Sheikha Haya is one of the first women to practice law in Bahrain and has held many senior positions with leading legal organizations of the world, including the International Bar Association. She has also served as Bahrain’s ambassador to France and as non-resident ambassador to Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain.

During her lecture, Sheikha Haya focused on women’s education in the Arab world, which she called “the most powerful weapon for improving their status and the most potent force in promoting social change.” Sheikha Haya participated in the movement to elevate women’s position before Bahrain’s Islamic Sharia courts, and she supports progressive interpretations of Islamic texts in their reference to women.

Anna Phillips (BA’08), who introduced the talk, called Sheikha Haya her “personal hero,” and told her, “Your pioneering and courageous work in pursuit of women’s rights is inspiring to so many of us, as you serve as a role model to a new generation of female human rights activists. You pave the way for us, in both the developing and developed world, to stand on your shoulders, to give voice to those too weak or scared to act.”

Phillips added, “One lesson I have learned during my time at GW is there are millions upon millions of people in this world who believe no one cares about them. When they look to the leaders of their cities and countries and to the United Nations, they see so few fighting for them.” Sheikha Haya, Phillips said, presents an example to whom the underprivileged can look for inspiration.

Past speakers in the series include Paula Dobriansky, under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs; Dana Priest, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post correspondent; Omani Ambassador Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al Mughairy; and Nancy Birdsall, founding president of the Center for Global Development.

The Distinguished Women in International Affairs series will feature Betty Bigombe, a Ugandan peace activist, on March 24.