August 27, 2024
Shahneela Tariq, Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, Jasmine Auda, Al-Sharif Nasser bin Nasser
On 10-11 July 2024, the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS), Ambit Advisory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), co-hosted a virtual working-level meeting, to discuss a new regional professional network for women in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) security in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 20 experts in the CBRN field from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates, representing regulatory bodies, national laboratories, academia, and industry attended this event as prospective members of the network. Leaders from other regional networks, such as Black Sea Women in Nuclear (BSWN), Women in Nuclear in Central Asia (WINCA), and Women in Nuclear Southeast Asia (WINSEA), also joined this virtual meeting to share their experience with the members of the emerging network.
This initiative is being supported by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Office of Radiological Security and LANL.
The Middle East and North Africa are experiencing a surge in interest in nuclear power. Countries like the UAE and Egypt are investing significant resources into building new reactors, with the UAE operating Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first power plant in the Arab World. This trend extends to other nations in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan, that are actively exploring nuclear power as a low-carbon alternative to their dependence on oil and gas and are collaborating with the IAEA to lay the groundwork for their nuclear programs.
While the power industry remains young, the region has a history with other nuclear and radiological infrastructure, therefore the area must have a robust workforce ready to meet the growing needs. Incorporating women into the workforce significantly expands the available talent pool, contributing to economic growth. Expansion of nuclear energy programs, as well as the operation of facilities and industries that use radioactive sources, promises women participation as many females are already working in the regulatory authorities and nuclear fields. In some countries, regulatory authorities combine safety and security responsibilities in CBRN fields. The emerging network aspires to become a regional professional platform for advancing women working in radiological and other fields related to CBRN security. Its mission will be to connect, support, and empower women in the fields of nuclear, radiological, and in due course, chemical and biological security.
The virtual meeting started with welcoming remarks by Al-Sharif Nasser bin Nasser, Founder and CEO of Ambit Advisory, Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, Program Director of CBRN Security at CNS and Kristin Hirsch, Director of DOE/NNSA’s Office of Radiological Security. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including initiatives for empowering women in the Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa, global efforts toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in nuclear and related fields, the significance of mentorship programs, and emerging trends in nuclear energy and CBRN security.
The introductory session was delivered by Olga Martin from Los Alamos National Laboratory and highlighted ‘Women’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Outreach at the LANL’. Martin presented LANL’s initiatives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) like Atomic Women, which empower women in science and engineering.
The session was followed by a discussion on the network’s potential role in supporting Middle Eastern and North African women in nuclear and radiological security who do not have access to formal mentoring opportunities and providing a valuable space for professional development and connection-building across borders
Many participants believed that participating in conferences and other professional events is a key objective, particularly for young professionals. All participants also emphasized the importance of fostering connections, from senior professionals to the next generation, for all career stages.
The first day’s program included the sharing of best practices in establishing other regional networks by Nataliia Klos, President of the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN), Zarina Sayfieva, Coordinator of Women in Nuclear Central Asia Network (WINCA), and Sabariah Kader Ibrahim, Founder of Women in Nuclear Southeast Asia (WINSEA).
Nataliia highlighted that the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) provides a supportive network and mentorship opportunities for women to develop their skills and gain visibility in the field. BSWN has 83 members representing the Black Sea and other countries and it was registered as a legal entity last year. Nataliia provided key takeaways that emphasize the importance of clear communication, patience, tailoring efforts to regional needs, and consistent activity to keep the network going.
Zarina shared her experience of establishing the Women in Nuclear Central Asia (WINCA) Network. It brings together female professionals in nuclear and related fields from Central Asian countries with the mission to promote gender equality in the region’s nuclear sector by increasing women’s participation in leadership roles and advocating for their voices in global dialogues. WINCA’s advice for new networks highlights the importance of consistent engagement and the leveraging of the expertise of network members.
Sabariah shared how her fellowship experience at CNS encouraged and motivated her to establish WINSEA in 2021 to empower women in the nuclear security and non-proliferation fields in her region. The most important cultural dilemma which she addressed was the “double-bind dilemma” faced by women in leadership positions, where assertive women are seen as competent but difficult while nurturing women are seen as likeable but not qualified. To counter this bias, WINSEA suggests shifting such thinking, applying equal evaluation standards, and promoting visible female champions.
During the second day’s discussion led by Jasmine Auda of Ambit Advisory, the meeting participants focused on building the foundation for the emerging network for Arab Women in CBRN Security. These included discussions of the network’s name to accurately depict the countries represented, the network’s mission, structure, leadership, and upcoming activities.
A key discussion point was ensuring the network caters to the specific needs of the region, respecting the diversity of participating countries and acknowledging the lack of established frameworks in some areas, such as biological security.
Mentorship programs and fostering the involvement of young professionals were identified as crucial priorities. There was debate about the target audience, with some suggesting the network should remain exclusive to women, while others saw value in including men as allies or speakers. Ultimately, the decision was to create a women-focused network with opportunities for male involvement at certain levels.
Ideas for network activities and next steps were also brainstormed. These included creating a WhatsApp group, developing a website with resources and member profiles, hosting webinars on CBRN security topics specific to the region, developing e-learning modules, and organizing in-person meetings. Members of the network identified the first activity to design a logo and communication strategy.
The meeting was a success, and it concluded with the commitment to make the Arab Women Network in CBRN Security a regional hub that propels women who work in radiological and other security-related fields. All participants and organizers agreed that encompassing diverse disciplines, the network will create a space for collaboration among professionals from governments, industry, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions across the Middle East and North Africa.
