DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Changing women’s lives
Women in the Middle East are taking steps to make a better world for themselves, Bob Little reports
I
n recent years, women’s roles have been changing – both in the world of work and in society in general. This change is particularly noticeable throughout the Middle East – and some of this
change is being brought about by a development programme for women.
The programme enables women, from all backgrounds, ages and stages of their lives, to identify the practical and realistic steps that they want to take to make a better world for themselves at work, home and in their wider communities, while building the practical skills and confidence to take these steps. Developed by the Springboard Consultancy
(SBC), a UK-based international training company specialising in addressing women’s development issues, and supported, in the Middle East, by The British Council, the programme is now being delivered by local trainers throughout the region. To date, over 11,000 women across the Middle East have completed the programme – more than half of them being in the Kingdom of Saudi
Manal runs the
programme for women for city-based women pursuing professional careers as well as for Nubian women and slum dwellers
18 September 2015
www.trainingjournal.com
Arabia (KSA). Among the more recent advances in the Springboard material in this region is that, in Yemen, the programme materials have been translated into braille. This innovation may now be extended to the materials delivered in other countries in the region. According to David Knox, The British Council’s
Director, Society, Middle East and North Africa, The British Council aims to create international opportunities for people of the UK and other countries. It does this to build trust between people – currently in 110 countries. In the process, it’s now a £180m business, principally through English language teaching and examinations. “Currently, the Middle East and North Africa seems to be characterised by wars, revolutions and counter-revolutions,” he said. “We aim to get ‘beneath’ that and get a deeper understanding of what’s going on in the region. The Springboard programme helps us to do this because it’s about developing opportunities and supporting the creation of inclusive societies.” The British Council’s work aims to amplify the
‘youth voice’ and young people’s participation in their society. It also seeks to improve the wellbeing of women and girls, improve the resilience of people living in conflict-affected societies, engage, through the arts and creativity, to facilitate social change, and to enhance ‘state/citizen relationships’. Faten Lahham Haidar is part of the team that
conducted the research into the development needs for women in the KSA which prompted the decision to introduce the programme to the KSA – and, then, throughout the Middle East. Among the Middle East’s first licensed
Springboard trainers, Lahham Haidar managed the project of translating materials and adapting them to suit Arabic culture. Moreover, she has launched the programme in Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Qatar and Oman. She is a co-trainer with Jenny
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