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Screenshot of a Zoom video call showing approximately 20 participants from across the Middle East and North Africa region, displaying the diverse participation in the committee establishment process.

Building women’s power in the MENA Region

Women leaders from the MENA region participate in discussions that led to the establishment of the committee.

  • Women leaders from the MENA region participate in discussions that led to the establishment of the committee.
  • Elected leaders including co-chairs and rapporteur participate in a meeting to discuss the new committee's work and priorities.
  • Committee members representing countries across the MENA region participate in an online meeting.
  • Women leaders across the MENA region come together online to establish the new committee structure and mandate.
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25 August, 2026IndustriALL has formally established the MENA women's committee following democratic elections on 11 August 2026. With new leadership now in place, the committee represents a significant milestone for women workers across the Middle East and North Africa region. It builds on more than twelve years of joint work between IndustriALL and its affiliated unions.

The MENA women’s committee is established as a trade union framework supporting women workers’ rights, upholding equality and social justice, and combating discrimination, violence and harassment in the workplace.

The committee was established through meetings held between May and August 2026. Women leaders from across the region discussed structure, mandate and leadership through a democratic and transparent process involving union members from affiliated organisations.

The first leadership team comprises ten members from both the Middle East and North Africa. Sahar Abdo from Palestine and Nora Elmoustahyi from Morocco were elected co-chairs. Seven other leadership members were elected from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Bahrain, Tunisia and Morocco.

“The establishment of the MENA Women’s Committee marks a major achievement. The elected leaders represent women across the region’s industrial sectors and will strengthen IndustriALL’s work, advancing women’s leadership and representation across MENA,”

said Ahmed Kamel, IndustriALL regional secretary.

A long journey of women’s leadership development

  • IndustriALL has worked since 2014 to build women’s power in the region through:
  • the MENA women’s Network (2015)
  • specialized training through the MENA union leadership academy (2018–2025)
  • integration of women’s issues into the ten pillars of trade union power-building
  • the Women’s center in Tunisia (2024)

These efforts have strengthened women’s presence in trade union structures and enabled many to assume leadership positions locally, nationally, regionally and internationally. The MENA women’s committee now strengthens this foundation by empowering women in leadership and decision-making roles, building a more just and equitable future for women workers in the region.

Christina Olivier, IndustriALL assistant general secretary, says:

“Democracy means nothing without women’s full participation in decision-making. This committee ensures women workers across MENA have a powerful voice shaping IndustriALL’s future.”

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