5 Arab Women Seated in Europe's Politics

Arab women’s profound participation in politics has recently become evident across the world, specifically in Europe. Meet 5 powerful and influential Arab women who took prominent seats in European politics.

1. Khadija Arib: This Moroccan-Dutch  female politician has proudly been elected as the Speaker of the Dutch House of Representatives. She has been a part of politics since 1998!



2. Sawsan Chebli: She is a Palestinian refugee and at 37 years old, is proudly titled the Deputy Spokesperson of the German Foreign Ministry. Chebli is the  first Muslim woman to ever be appointed as a deputy spokesperson to the Foreign Office!



3. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem: French and Moroccan, this impressive woman held several different positions in France, such as Minister of Women’s Affairs, Minister of City Affairs, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Government Spokesperson. As of August 2014, she was the first French woman to be appointed Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Research and at 36 years old, also the youngest!



4. Rachida Dati: Born to a Moroccan father, this woman has kicked up some dust in the European Parliament! She was the first Arab minister in the history of France and is currently a French politician and Member of the European Parliament, representing Île-de-France (French constituency of the European Parliament).



5. Nagwa Goweily: At the age of 25, this Spanish-Egyptian woman is the youngest woman to enter the Spanish Parliament! She is a presidential member of the leftist ‘Podemos’ (Spanish for ‘we can’) group (the fourth strongest political power in Spain) which, according to Spanish law, qualifies her to manage the opening session!

In an otherwise conservative society, these 5 women have paved the way for many more Arab women to participate in politics. All their hard work and perseverance actually paid off and these women Arab politicians are an inspiration for the empowerment for all women, all over the world, of all nationalities!

If you are proud of these women leave us a smile!