Open Hands Initiative was honored to host Dr. Abeer Dababneh, Director of the Center for Women’s Studies at the University of Jordan and trailblazer in women’s empowerment, for a dinner discussion on overcoming gender stereotypes in the workplace. Dr. Abeer works at the forefront of the women’s movement in Jordan, and advocates for increased female agency in the social, political and legal realms. She partners with major players including UN Women, the International Labor Organization and the World Bank to improve legislation relating to women’s political, social and economic participation. She is a lawyer by training, has written and translated fundamental books and articles of the global, regional and Jordanian women’s movements, and is a key figure in the promotion of gender equality in Jordan.
Dr. Abeer outlined an inspiring overview of major trends and improvements in women’s empowerment in Jordan since the country’s founding. She highlighted the Center for Women’s Studies’ projects and partnerships with women’s centers both in and out of academia, and the increasing gender dynamics within the Center itself, in which 30% of its enrolled students are men.
Over an expansive table spread of Fakher al-Din’s finest Lebanese cuisine and endless courses, the fellows enjoyed a rich conversation with Dr. Abeer. The discussion allowed for Fellowship founders to share personal experiences with gender issues in their professional lives, causing the women to find themselves in a similar boat; that, regardless of country, female entrepreneurs face the same challenges in the workplace. Yet, despite these challenges, working and growing together allows these women founders to gain the skills necessary to overcome these challenges together.