Global Leadership
WE Lead
The WE Lead program equips women from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan with the skills to become more effective leaders.
25%
Percent of women in the Middle East and North Africa in the workforce, compared to 50% in other developing regions
7
Women from seven countries invited to apply: Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia
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Women's Leadership and Economic Empowerment: A Solution for the Economies of the Middle East and North Africa
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2
U.S. Efforts to Protect Afghan Women and Girls
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Women and Girls: Supporting Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa
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2
Women and Girls: Investing in Women's Economic Empowerment
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What's at Stake in Afghanistan?
It would be a mistake for the U.S. to disengage without a roadmap for peace that protects hard-won gains for women. -
International Women's Day: Voices of Hope, Featuring Mrs. Laura Bush
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Global Women’s Network: A Summit of Ideas, Innovation, and Partnerships
Women are essential to the development of open, peaceful, and prosperous societies.
Building upon President and Mrs. Bush's commitment to women's inclusion and leadership in the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan, the WE Lead program advances the role of women leaders who are increasing economic opportunity in their countries.
Commitment to political freedom, quality education, and women's opportunity and well-being is inconsistent across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and Afghanistan. Other challenges, especially unemployment, have intensified as the population in the region grows.
Today, there is a significant need to strengthen the capacity of women leaders in MENA and Afghanistan who are advancing economic opportunity, and to demonstrate the importance of continued U.S. leadership and engagement to support their success.
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Commentary
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Bush Institute Gender Advocates You Should Know This International Women’s Day
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Why We Lead: A Conversation with Riham Adel
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U.S. Efforts to Protect Afghan Women and Girls
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20 Bush Institute Scholars Who Made a Difference in 2020
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Keep Lebanon in Your Thoughts
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Films that Celebrate the Contributions of Women
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COVID-19 & Afghanistan: Q&A with WE Lead Scholar Homa Usmany
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The 15th Anniversary of Mrs. Laura Bush's Historic Trip to Afghanistan
In the News
Latest Press Releases & Headlines View all-
Afghanistan: A Test for the Global Commitment to Women, Peace, and Security
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Want more global freedom and prosperity? Include more women in leadership
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Afghanistan's Election Should Not Prompt U.S. Withdrawal
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Afghanistan’s Road to Peace Still Needs U.S. Leadership
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Bush Institute Report Details Perils of a Rash Withdrawal from Afghanistan
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Bush Institute Welcomes Women Leaders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan for New Program
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Experts to US Lawmakers: Women Are Untapped Resource in Countering Extremism
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Laura Bush and Rula Ghani on 'opening the door' for women in Afghanistan
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Laura Bush and H.E. Rula Ghani: Thriving Afghan businesswomen still need you
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Book review: 'We Are Afghan Women' tells of the fight to change cultural stigmas, empower women
Women’s Initiative
Promoting education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for women around the world
