16 October 2024 Speech by Federal Minister Svenja Schulze at the 6th German-Arab Women‘s Forum
Check against delivery!
Mentors and mentees of Ouissal,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Do you know where the word “mentor” comes from originally?
It comes from Greek mythology. Mentor is the counsellor of Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. However, he is only a man at first glance. Behind him is Athena, who has taken on his form. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who is said to be intelligent, practical and prudent.
Traits which each and everyone of you has demonstrated as a participant in the Ouissal mentoring programme.
Like the tandem of Anissa Ghanem and Hafsa Annab. Annisa lives in Germany, her parents are Moroccan.
Hafsa lives in Morocco and has a company – Biolive – which transforms olive waste into cosmetic products and food supplements. Together with the digital marketing specialist Annisa, she enhanced her business strategy and leadership skills.
Hafsa’s company has developed and is now selling five new products and has found new customers. The two women have built a relationship that Annisa describes as a “spirit partnership”. Such a partnership does not end after a year. It is a lasting connection.
Then there is the tandem of Rasha Aleid from Jordan – and I look forward to being on the panel with her later on – and Kirsten Soyke from Germany. Rasha, a former small-scale entrepreneur, sought Kirsten’s support because she wanted to take on a leadership position in a bigger organisation.
And finally Alexandra Lange from Germany who was accompanied last year by Nadia El Shafei from Egypt.
From her position as technical manager at Thyssen Krupp, Alexandra applied for a leadership role in the same company. Landing the job successfully.
Nadia, co-founder and managing partner of an international consultancy, played a key role in this. First, she helped Alexandra prepare for the interview and assessment centre, then she supported her in navigating the new position.
These are just three examples that show how diverse the tandems are. Many other impressive mentors and mentees with success stories are here today. And they will have the opportunity to share their stories and forge new contacts.
The examples are also a demonstration of what makes good development cooperation. It is about solidarity. And about both sides benefiting. And above all, the cooperation is strengthening women. As this is such an important objective, Germany is pursuing a feminist development policy.
Now, what is that all about?
No country in the world has achieved full equality of men and women – including Germany. Women make up half of humanity. So it is only logical and fair that they should have half of the power and resources. However, the international community is still a long way from achieving that.
But no society can afford not to use the potential of half its population if it wants to be successful. If women have equal rights and equal responsibility then there is less poverty, less hunger and more stability in the world. Achieving gender equality is a gain for societies as a whole.
Feminist development policy offers ways of tackling the problems of discrimination and oppression. And it places women at the centre in their important role as knowledge-bearers and decision-makers. This is also about strengthening women in the private sector.
This is not just the right thing to do from a moral standpoint, it is smart in terms of economics and strategy. Studies show that companies that promote diversity on their boards tend to be more innovative and successful. Women bring unique perspectives and skills to the business world and promote creative solutions and new approaches.
According to the World Bank, global growth rates could double in the next ten years if women had equal rights and opportunities in employment and entrepreneurship.
However, enormous economic potential lies dormant because worldwide even today women disproportionately work in informal and low-paid jobs.
The Ouissal mentoring programme shows us how we can follow words with deeds.
We, that is the Euro-Mediterranean-Arab Association, the Agency for Business and Economic Development, the German Development Ministry and, last but not least, you, the mentors and mentees. You make sure that women take on strong positions in the business world. That is good for each and everyone of you.
And this is good because it fosters more just societies. That is why my Ministry decided to continue to support Ouissal in 2025 and 2026 as well.
You all know it already, but I want to stress it once more that women in top leadership positions and successful women entrepreneurs are role models for the next generation. They inspire young girls and other women to choose their own professional path and be open for all sectors. This is a way to break gender stereotypes and drive long-term change.
This is what inspired me to launch the #WeTheWomen campaign last year. The aim of the campaign is to encourage women and girls to be role models and leaders.
To make their achievements visible.
And to celebrate a culture of sisterhood – that recognises the achievements of women who came before us; and reminds us to pave the way for the young women who will come after us.
I invite you to join the campaign and use the Hashtag #WeTheWomen.
Ouissal – in Arabic the word means connection. And that is precisely what this mentoring programme does and all of you are doing: connecting with others to strengthen one another and the world.
Today’s women’s forum marks the end of a stage.
But it is not the moment where you cut links. Much rather, let us stay in touch as women who fight to ensure that all women and girls worldwide are given the opportunities and resources they deserve so that they can contribute to economic and social progress.
Thank you very much for your committed work.