Iraq Says 'Yes' to Women's Economic Empowerment at Nina Magazine Launch in Suleimania
London, Iraq, Kurdistan (PRWEB UK) 12 June 2014 -- Voices of promise and hope joined together in the Iraqi launch of Nina this week. A live TV broadcast saw Nina Champion and Asiacell Chair Faruk Rasool, challenging the audience to embrace women at the heart of the labour force, citing his own policy for promoting and supporting women wherever possible. As Iraq’s first billionaire this call to action had real meaning.
Reza Khaleghi, Afren’s External Relation’s manager called for other Oil and Gas companies to follow Afren’s lead in using Nina as a tool to support the empowerment of women in Kurdistan and Iraq as a whole, citing, “the growing need for a committed labour force drawn from all areas of society”, as being a driving consideration for Afren’s community projects. The support Afren gives to the Kurdistan Women’s Union is central to their activities, along with educational projects – Nina gives them a chance to show this in action.
Other speakers included Charlotte Kalin, CEO of Chamber Trade Sweden and Nina board member who painted the picture of an international network of trade and opportunity created by Nina. As it stands, businesses and organisations in the UK, Sweden, Jordan and the US have started linking into the concept of the Nina network to a way of building business and capacity opportunity everyone. As Baroness Symons, member of the UK House of Lords and senior advisor to the Nina board said at the London launch, creating the right environment is key.
Miss Kurdistan for Peace summed it all up;
“It’s not just about looking good. Women as peacemakers are central to the development of society. I want to be role model for Iraqi women everywhere and want to work with Nina to do so.”
At the end, project lead and managing editor, Madeleine White asked whether the Iraqi people would embrace Nina going forwards. Even the beautiful cut glass chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom shook with the resounding 'yes' that came from the audience. Taster workshops around mentoring and communication supported the mission of Nina during the day; the voices of 170 people raised in unison was a cry of challenge and hope on Sunday evening. This successful launch in Iraq shows that Nina holds the promise and hope of Iraqi women everywhere in its pages.
Asiacell, Afren, Foras and the many supporters of Nina who were there have promised to continue commercial and structural support. Young designer Sarah Albayati featured on the night shared that her business had doubled since being featured in Nina.
It just goes to show, Nina is where dreams can come true – be part of it; as a writer, funder, sponsor or advertiser.
Madeleine White, Nina-Iraq.com, +44 7904835188, [email protected]
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