To inform the discussions at the 65th Commission on the Status of Women and look at the state of legal and constitutional reform in the region, with particular consideration to progress toward eliminating violence against women, and the impact of COVID-19, Karama Women’s Network hosted a three-day digital conference in March 2021. The organizers sought input from regional and international experts, among which was Hayat Mirshad, Founder and Executive Director of Fe-Male. “Opportunities for and barriers to mobilizing and maintaining the engagement of women and youth in the political process” was the title of the online session where the panelists discussed ways of ensuring that women and youth both participate in electoral politics and that they are represented in political institutions, particularly in countries that are experiencing conflict, occupation, and transition.

Panelists alongside Mirshad were:
• Suheir Farraj, TAM, Palestine
• Samia Melki, Kadirat, Tunisia
• Emna Mizouni, Digital Citizens, Tunisia
• Rhizlaine Benachir, Jossor FFM, Morocco
• Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Women Political Leaders, Germany
• Sandie Hanna – Moderator