The Fourth Session as the TTfAW was held in October 2011 in response to urgent post-revolution priorities for women in the region. The Think Tank for Arab Women galvanized academics, NGO leaders, women’s rights activists, diplomats and policymakers from the Arab world, Europe, and the U.S. to address the worrying trend of exclusion of women post-revolution and examine the main obstacles to women’s equal participation in elections. 

Speakers at the event included: Ambassador Malin Karre (Sweden), who cited economic independence, political schooling, strong cooperation between women, and participation in the labor force as key factors required for gender equality in a nation. 

Her Excellency Dr. Mervat Tallawy (Egypt) closed the session emphasizing the need for civil society to advance its support for women’s issues. Think Tank members and additional speakers from Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Libya, and Kuwait also discussed: gender issues in electoral frameworks, use of quotas, incomplete revolutions, women in office and their portrayal in the media, and additional topics through moderated panels and Q & A sessions.

A final statement resulted from this session, sharing recommendations in four areas, including elections, media, coalition-building, and importance of developing allies based on commonalities.