Women Leading Change: Reflections from an Inspiring Regional Dialogue
Posted on: 12 Aug, 2025
On 14 July 2025, ASREN hosted the “Women Leading Change” webinar as part of the EUMEDPLUS project, bringing together a powerful lineup of speakers from across the Arab region. With over 85 attendees from various backgrounds, the session spotlighted the strength, ambition, and transformative impact of women working in STEM, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
Moderated by Dr. Ryma Abassi—a cybersecurity leader and the first woman to head ISETCOM in Tunisia—the webinar featured compelling insights from:
- Prof. Amal Amin (Egypt) – professor at Egypt’s National Research Centre (NRC) and a global leader in science diplomacy and nanotechnology. She is the founder of Women In Science WISWB and has led initiatives across 30+ countries to advance women in science, technology, and innovation.
- Ms. Fatima Botmeh (Palestine) – A gender and organizational development specialist with over 20 years of experience across Palestine, the MENA region, and beyond, working to advance women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and inclusive leadership.
- Ms. Mona Saleem (Jordan) – founder and former chairperson of IEEE AESS JU, the IEEE Aerospace & Electronic Systems Society branch at the University of Jordan, bringing students closer to the aerospace and defense sectors through industry-academia collaboration.
Each speaker reflected on their journey, shared challenges faced by women in the field, and called for inclusive systems that truly empower women to lead and innovate. The webinar concluded with a presentation on ASREN’s continued commitment to gender equality through the STEM Rise initiative, the Women in STEM Track at e-AGE25, and other targeted programs and calls.
The speakers shared a parting thought to inspire action and perseverance:
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Ms. Mona encouraged taking bold steps despite uncertainty:
"No matter how impossible something may seem, it is better to try and fail now than to live with the regret of never trying."
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Prof. Amal urged participants to see failure as fuel for growth:
"Success without failure is unusual. Failure, paired with passion and fresh ideas, can lead to dazzling breakthroughs."
She reminded us that change often starts with just one person, but true impact comes from creating generations who carry forward ideas and values:
"Each of us is a messenger — what matters is the legacy we leave behind."
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Ms. Fatima called on young women to act without waiting for the perfect moment:
"Not everyone will agree with you or support you — but keep going, even if you can only see part of the road ahead. Build supportive networks, choose empowering environments, and trust in God’s guidance."
📺 Watch the full webinar (with English translation)📬 Join the STEM Rise mailing list
Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive future—where women lead, create, and transform.
The speakers shared a parting thought to inspire action and perseverance:
-
Ms. Mona encouraged taking bold steps despite uncertainty:
"No matter how impossible something may seem, it is better to try and fail now than to live with the regret of never trying."
-
Prof. Amal urged participants to see failure as fuel for growth:
She reminded us that change often starts with just one person, but true impact comes from creating generations who carry forward ideas and values:"Success without failure is unusual. Failure, paired with passion and fresh ideas, can lead to dazzling breakthroughs."
"Each of us is a messenger — what matters is the legacy we leave behind."
-
Ms. Fatima called on young women to act without waiting for the perfect moment:
"Not everyone will agree with you or support you — but keep going, even if you can only see part of the road ahead. Build supportive networks, choose empowering environments, and trust in God’s guidance."
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