We will. Will you?
It is no secret that since our launch, Vogue Arabia has been publishing some of the most disruptive journalistic content in the region. Besides the beautiful fashion images captured across Arabia, we prioritize strong features on empowerment, inclusivity, and women’s achievements. And there are so many stories to tell. We believe in #womenstandingforwomen, as we wrote in our June cover story, featuring models Winnie Harlow and Shahad Salman.
From left: Manuel Arnaut, Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, H.E. Noura Al Suwaidi, Shashi Menon
This fall, we write the next chapter of this commitment with an exciting collaboration between Vogue Arabia publisher Nervora and two of the most distinguished organizations standing for the development of Arab women: UN Women and the General Women’s Union.
Taking place this November in Abu Dhabi, the inaugural WILL Summit is an annual conference to drive awareness of gender equality and promote women’s empowerment in the MENA region. The conference will highlight exceptional success stories through talks and panel discussions and will feature some of the most influential individuals shaping the global agenda for women. The WILL Summit is supported by other progressive partners, including luxury brand Bulgari and beauty brand Neutrogena, who share a commitment to promoting female empowerment.
From left: Ravi Raman, Rana Hatem, Shashi Menon, Manuel Arnaut, H.E. Noura Al Suwaidi, Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi
“We are delighted to be contributing to the WILL Summit’s agenda,” comments H.E. Noura Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Women’s Union. “Women have been a national priority for many years, and we are fortunate to have the leadership’s support at the highest level. Accordingly, it is important for us, as women, to leverage this support and continue to tackle stereotypes, wherever they exist.”
Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women UAE Liaison Office for the GCC, also notes: “We aim to call out gender biases across various industries and contribute to advancing Social Development Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. We are delighted to be partnering with Nervora and Vogue Arabia to raise awareness of the issues that women in our region face.”
More than just an isolated effort, the WILL Summit is the first program under the WILL Initiative, a global thought leadership and action-oriented platform promoting women empowerment founded by Nervora. “The WILL Summit will be the first of several programs under the WILL Initiative, a groundbreaking platform that we are thrilled to launch,” comments Shashi Menon, Founder & CEO of Nervora, also underlining the importance of working alongside both UN Women and the General Women’s Union.
For Manuel Arnaut, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, the tie-up of the three organizations is a natural partnership, as the editorial DNA of the publication is deeply rooted in the celebration of the accomplishments of Arab women. “We believe that we have a real voice and a responsibility to shape social perceptions, and we are proud to be partners on an initiative of this magnitude. Every month, Vogue Arabia produces transformative pieces that highlight incredible female achievements in the Arab world, as well as call out calamities such as violence against women. More than ever, the voice of Vogue is the voice of our time.”
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