Amira Yahyaoui - Tunisia woman recognised for her continual efforts by winning the conflict prevention prize

In the past year peace activist and proponent of free speech, Amira Yahyaoui, has been recognised for her continual efforts by winning the conflict prevention prize by the Foundation Chirac.

Yahyaoui’s life story to date is one filled with sadness, but hope. Aged just 16 she was tailed by Tunisia’s secret police and beaten as a result of her activism. In 2005, her cousin Zouhair Yahyaoui died after being persecuted and tortured by the government for his objections to censorship in Tunisia. And after fleeing to France she was rendered stateless for several years until the fall of President Ben Ali, whereupon she gained a passport and returned to Tunisia. There she founded Al Bawsala, an NGO that monitors the country’s legislature and promotes free expression and the protection of human rights.

Nashwa Al Ruwaini - Emirati woman who has gone from strength to strength

When her talk show, Nashwa, launched in 2006, Nashwa Al Ruwaini became a household name across the Middle East.

Known as the ‘Oprah of the Arab world’, Al Ruwaini has gone from strength to strength, though it hasn’t always been an easy ride. Born in Cairo, she started her career on Qatari radio before becoming the youngest Arab woman on TV, working for Qatar TV. Moving to London, and then to Cairo, Al Ruwaini found her way to the UAE where she established her own production company, Pyramedia, in 1998. Pyramedia is now one of the largest production companies in the region. Recently, Hollywood Reporter magazine named her as one of the 25 most powerful women in global TV.

Ayah Bdeir - Lebanese woman who has been a mentor on Stars of Science

Still best known for her snap-together circuit board business littleBits, Ayah Bdeir is continually lauded as one of the most creative young minds to pay attention to.

Having developed the first littleBits prototype in 2008, the business was launched in 2011, aiming to “put the power of electronics in the hands of everyone, and to break down complex technologies so that anyone can build, prototype and invent”. A TED fellow, and founder of Karaj - Beirut’s first non-profit lab for experimental arts, architecture and technology - Bdeir has also been a mentor on Stars of Science - the Middle East’s first reality show focusing on innovation.

Tawakul Karman - Yemeni woman who is known as Mother of the Revolution

Known within Yemen as the Iron Woman, and Mother of the Revolution, Tawakul  is a journalist, politician, and senior member of the Al-Islah political party, as well as a noted human rights activist.

In 2011 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Yemeni, first Arab woman, and second Muslim woman to win a Nobel Prize. In 2005 Karman set up Women Journalists Without Chains, and started holding protests in the Yemeni capital two years later. Her name became well-known in 2011 when she led a series of protests calling for the departure of Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Most recently, in January this year, she spoke out on what she believes is a collaboration between now former president Saleh and the Houthi rebels to undo the 2011 revolution by ending the transition process.

Nadine Labaki - successful female film directors and actresses from the Arab world

One of the most successful female film directors and actresses from the Arab world, Nadine Labaki continues to make and star in top feature films.

After 2013 smash hit Rock The Casbah, Labaki had a busy 2014, appearing in three films - Mea Culpa, Rio, I Love You, and La Rancon de la Gloire. Perhaps still best known for her directorial debut, Caramel, which she also starred in, Labaki is a known name within the global film industry, having been listed on Variety’s annual run-down of ten directors to watch.

Maha Al Farhan - Emirati woman conducted medical and clinical research

The founder, CEO and president of ClinArt International launched her company in 2001, conducting medical and clinical research at both early and late stage.

Al Farhan came up with the idea for ClinArt while studying and working in the UK, after completing her Masters in Pharmacology and King’s College, and an MBA at Imperial College. Returning to the UAE in 2000 she realised there were no clinical trials being done at international standards, so she started approaching ministries and health authorities as well as the pharmaceutical industry to raise awareness of clinical research. Her first contract was with German pharma company Boehringer Ingleheim, and she has since worked with the World Health Organisation and the GCC Chapter of the ACRP.

Nahed Taher - first Saudi woman in the Gulf to head up an investment bank

The Saudi-born CEO holds the accolade of being the first woman in the Gulf to head up an investment bank.

As the leader of Gulf One Investment Bank, which she co-founded in 2005 after a tenure as a senior economist at Saudi Arabia’s NCB, Taher was the first of a growing number of women to break the glass ceiling. She turned down a high-powered job with the International Monetary Fund before taking the job with NCB, saying at the time that she wanted to “do something for my own country”. Having excelled in a male-dominated field, Taher is also a strong advocate for a greater role for women in the kingdom.

Mona Eltahawy - Egyptian woman who campaign for women’s rights

Since coming to prominence in 2011, when she was assaulted in Egypt’s Interior Ministry after being arrested during a protest in Tahrir Square, Eltahawy’s has been a familiar voice in the campaign for women’s rights.

A regular in some of the world’s best-read newspapers and websites, Eltahawy has been heralded by many as displaying courage in the face of adversity by offering an uncompromising stance against patriarchal behaviours, governments and societies. Her first book - Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution - is expected to be published in April, and is based on a controversial article she wrote about misogyny in 2012, entitled Why Do They Hate Us.

Hala Gorani - Syrian woman who is known for hard-hitting news reports

Prominent US-based journalist Hala Gorani in known for her hard-hitting news reports from the region, which have covered major events including the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war and the Arab Spring.

The French-raised Syrian-American is an anchor and correspondent for CNN, known for The World Right Now with Hala Gorani, among other shows, and has been honoured for her work with numerous awards. Recently she covered the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo Paris shootings. Among her high-profile interviews have been Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair, Nouri Al Maliki and the Dalai Lama.

Dima Ikhwan - Saudi woman who has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry

She may be in the corporate world now, but Dima Ikhwan has made a significant contribution to the region’s entertainment industry.

An associate at KPMG Advisory, she was also one of the writers of On The Fly – an online comedy show which has enjoyed millions of hits since debuting on YouTube in 2010, and has been called an Arabic version of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

What makes Ikhwan’s story all the more interesting is that she is from Saudi Arabia where comedy, let alone female comedy writers, is thin on the ground. As such, she has become to many the face of the modern Saudi female, writing socially conscious satirical comedy as well as excelling in a corporate career.

Now five years old, On The Fly no longer benefits from Ikhwan’s writing. Her contribution to the first season of the show set the foundations for the online programme to flourish, and helped encourage an online viewing boom.

Nancy Ajram - Lebanese woman who is one of Arabic music’s biggest stars

One of the most recognisable names and faces in the Middle East, Nancy Ajram is one of Arabic music’s biggest stars.

The Lebanese singer boasts more than five million Twitter followers, built on the back of eight hit albums - the most recent of which, Nancy 8, was released during 2014. A regular award winner and live performer, Ajram has put her fame to good use, participating in numerous charity events and concerts. In 2009 UNICEF chose Ajram as the first female regional ambassador for MENA. Her appeal and recognition is not confined to the Arab world, however. Oprah Winfrey branded her one of the most influential personalities in the Middle East.

Nermin Saad - Saudi woman who developed a virtual engineering office

The idea for Nermin Saad’s business, Handasiyat.net, came when her husband took a job in Saudi Arabia.

According to the qualified engineer, she found herself unable to work in the engineering field, forcing her to either “sit at home or change my career”. Taking her own experience into consideration, as well as that of her over-worked husband, Saad developed a virtual engineering office that has grown to work with many of Saudi Arabia’s top construction firms. Handasiyat.net aims to provide jobs for female engineers without having to upset the social boundaries within the workplace and physically mix the sexes. The online platform outsources work to women who can work from home, easing the load on the male employees, while allowing women to use the qualifications they had worked so hard to achieve.

Amal Al Qubaisi - Emirati woman who is the first woman to be elected to the Federal National Council

In 2014 Dr Amal Al Qubaisi became the first woman to be appointed to the Abu Dhabi Educational Council, taking up the role of general manager.

An architect by profession, Al Qubaisi was also the first woman to be elected to the Federal National Council, and was the first woman to chair one of its meetings. In her role with ADEC, Al Qubaisi has made a bold statement of intent, saying she will personally visit schools and speak to teachers, school leaders and pupils about their concerns. Previously, she had worked tirelessly to convince the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to document and preserve more than 350 historical sites in the UAE, including Al Jahili and Al Hosn forts.

Ingie Chalhoub - Emirati woman who established in high-end fashion boutiques industry

Since establishing the Etoile Group in 1983, Ingie Chalhoub has been an integral figure in the UAE’s luxury retail sector.

The president and managing director of the group has brought more than 200 international ultra-luxury brands to the region, including Chanel, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Tod’s, John Galliano and Hogan. Operating more than 60 high-end fashion boutiques across six countries, she employs 400 people and has launched her own fashion line - Ingie Paris.

Dalya Al Muthanna - Emirati woman who managed a multi-million dollar international franchise

A new entry to the list, Dalya Al Muthanna was appointed a president and CEO of GE Gulf in April last year - the first Emirati to be appointed to the senior leadership position.

Responsible for developing the company’s business strategy for the Gulf region, leading growth and driving cross-business selling across the company’s portfolio, Al Muthanna is also tasked with overall strategic positioning of GE in the Gulf region. She joined GE in 2008, and lays claim t being the first UAE national to graduate from the company’s Experienced Commercial Leadership Program. Before being appointed to her current position, she help multiple leadership roles, and prior to joining GE she founded and managed a multi-million dollar international franchise.

Elissa Freiha - Emirati woman changed the face of investment in the MENA region

One half of the founding partners of WOMENA, Elissa Freiha is changing the face of investment in the MENA region.

The Emirati of Lebanese and American descent launched the women-only investment platform with her partner Chantalle Dumonceaux, in 2013 to provide Gulf-based high-net-worth women a supportive, professional network and dependable guidance to invest in new companies. Having previously worked in publishing, food and beverage, and entertainment, Freiha oversees the marketing, business development, sales, events, and member satisfaction elements of the business. WOMENA hosts monthly meetings with its members, who are introduced to pre-screened entrepreneurs, offering both sides the opportunity to form a strong investment partnership

Badreya Al Bishr - Saudi woman who takes on numerous themes affecting Arab women

Controversy and Badreya Al Bishr have never been far away from one another. The author, journalist and TV host has never shied away from tackling major issues and taboo topics.

Writing in her daily column for Al Hayat, and hosting her own talk show on MBC, Al Bishr takes on numerous themes affecting Arab women today, as well as religion and extremism. The multi-award-winning Saudi writer is a PhD graduate from the American University of Beirut, and an alumnus of the US State Department International Visitor programme. She also lectures at King Saud University’s Department of Social Studies.

Hind Seddiqi - Emirati woman who excelled in jewellery business

One of the most powerful women in the jewellery industry, Hind Seddiqi is also a role model for Emirati women, having broken with tradition in her family’s business.

She became the first female family member to join the corporate office of Ahmed Siddiqi & Sons, the luxury watch company which came into being in the 1940s. There were no family favours, however, as Seddiqi started out as an intern with the company, rising step by step to the role of VP. Overseeing all marketing and promotional actives for the chain, she has helped enhance the company’s already high reputation, putting into practice a comprehensive plan to guide the business and its retailing of more than 90 percent of the world’s best known luxury watch brands.

Hanan Solayman - Egyptian woman who created news websites and media platforms in underserved communities

Freelance journalist Hanan Solayman has steadily been bringing media to Egypt’s masses through her Mandara Media Foundation.

The foundation, which aims to create news websites and media platforms in underserved communities in rural Egypt, was launched in 2012. Its first project was to train 90 journalists in Upper Egypt, allowing them to contribute to a local portal covering all 11 districts in the southern part of the country. A regular writer for publications across the region, Solayman plans to develop Mandara, aiming to build a “leading model of independent and non-profit local journalism… to engage citizens outside the capital in society”.

Fatema Mernissi - Moroccan woman who is an ardent campaigner for women’s rights

Since 1975 Fatema Mernissi has been on the forefront of the critical dialogue about the position of women, and civil society.

A seasoned author of numerous books, Mernissi has written about women within the rapidly changing Muslim communities in Morocco, among other topics, and has directed sociological research for UNESCO, ILO and the UN Population Fund. Born in Fes in 1940, Mernissi is currently a lecturer at the Mohammed V University of Rabat, and continues to be an ardent campaigner for women’s rights. Her publication Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society, it still regarded a vital text on the subject.

Manal Al Sharif - Saudi woman who worked hard for women's right

When Manal Al Sharif got behind the wheel of a car in her home country of Saudi Arabia in 2011, she almost immediately became a focal point for women’s rights in the Kingdom.

Arrested as a result of her actions, which were part of a campaign to call for women’s rights to drive, Al Sharif was been applauded across the globe, and has since brought international attention to a number of women’s rights issues including the murder of five-year-old Lama Al Ghamdi by her father in 2013, and the plight of female domestic workers held in Saudi prisons.

Dubbed Saudi Arabia’s Rosa Parks, Al Sharif was honoured last year at a Women In The World luncheon in California, where she told an audience “To me, if you see something wrong, you have to speak up… If we keep quiet, nothing will change.”

Nisreen Shocair - Emirati woman who has overseen an impressive transformation of the brand

As president of Virgin Megastore Middle East, Nisreen Shocair has overseen an impressive transformation of the brand.

Developing the traditional CD and DVD store into a wide-ranging music, video and multimedia entertainment destination, Shocair has changed the company’s target demographic and increased the number of items on offer, so much so that the Megastores are almost unrecognisable from a few years ago. Expansion throughout the region has enhanced the company’s standing, as has its new concept stores which offer a more lifestyle-angled shopping experience. Growing up in Nigeria, Shocair worked at Blockbuster and Sony before making her way to Virgin, and is also active in the development of start-ups.

Ghada Amer - Egyptian woman who supported scientific development and entrepreneurship

Ghada Amer is the vice president of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, a Sharjah-based independent non-profit NGO that aims to encourage regional and global investment in science.

Dr Amer’s expertise in in electrical engineering, but is well known for her work in social care and environmental activism, among other things. She served as the head of the electrical engineering department at the Higher Institute of Technology, Benha University, and also founded AccuTraining, a research from based in Egypt. Through ASTF Dr Amer has developed and led more than 20 projects and programmes to support scientific development and entrepreneurship.

Amal Al Marri - Emirati woman who proved herslef in retail business

Visitors to Kite Surf Beach in Dubai will be familiar with SALT - a pop-up restaurant that has taken street food in the UAE to a new level.

Amal Al Marri co-founded SALT in the middle of 2014 and it has been a huge hit ever since, attracting thousands of customers, including members of the royal family who have become regulars at the vintage trailer which sells sliders and shakes. Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan and his family are often seen picking up a bite to eat, helping the restaurant to become one of the most talked-about new eateries in the region. With plans to take the SALT trailer to new locations and destinations, Al Marri’s stock is sure to rise very high very quickly.

Fairouz - Lebanese woman who is a popular singer for decades

Perhaps still the most iconic Middle Eastern female singer, Fairouz has been one of the region’s best known and popular singer for decades.

Starting her musical career in the 1950s, the ‘Jewel of Lebanon’ enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top, singing about her home country’s beauty, and calling for peace and freedom.

Often received by royalty and presidents, one of Fairouz’s most prized posessions in the key to Jerusalem, though she has never performed in the Holy City.

Nayla Al Khaja - Emirati woman who proved herself in filmmaking industry

Constantly in demand, and constantly working, the UAE’s first ever female film director has been as busy as ever.

Not only does she have five short films under her belt, and not only has she launched her own production company, D-SEVEN, Nayla Al Khaja is also part of the Reel Dubai filmmaking competition, helping six shortlisted contestants turn their cinematic dreams into reality. A graduate from Dubai Women’s College, and Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, Al Khaja’s films touch on taboo topics, such as arranged marriages, child abuse, and secret dating in the UAE. Having to fight the wishes of her parents, who did not want her to become a filmmaker, Al Khaja is now an award-winner several times over, including the Emirates Woman Award, which she collected a decade ago.

Yousra - Egyptian woman who establish herself in entertainment industry

The irrepressible entertainment superstar continues to be a well listened-to cultural spokeswoman, have acquired ‘icon’ status long ago.

The Egyptian actress and singer, whose career goes back to the 1970s, has turned her talents to a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, and political satire. In 2006 she played a supporting role in The Yacoubian Building, which is believed to have had the highest budget of any Egyptian production to date. Yousra’s singing career came later, with her first album being released in 2002. More recently, she participated in the Ramadan series Saraya Abdein in 2014. The entertainer has also worked as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, for which she is believed to have received more than 50 awards.

Ahlam Mosteghanemi - Algerian woman who have won more admirers than critics

Perhaps the most successful female writer in the Arab World, Mosteghanemi in a multi-award-winner whose poetry and fiction focuses on some of the more controversial topics for the region.

Her novels were brought out of Arabia when her best-known work - a trilogy including Memory in the Flesh, Chaos of the Senses, and Black Suits You So Well - was published in English. Writing about love, sexuality, women’s rights, corruption, politics and colonisation, Mosteghanemi’s books have sometimes caused controversy, but her huge following on social media, and constant recognition from the literary community confirm that her words have won more admirers than critics. Born in Tunis, but very much Algerian, Mosteghanemi studied at the Sorbonne in Paris before moving to Beirut.

Hayv Kahraman - Iraqi woman who excel in oil paintings

Living and working in the US, Hayv Kahraman’s artwork reflects issues of gender, honour killings and war in her home country of Iraq.

Born in Baghdad in 1981, the artist has painted, drawn and sculpted from a young age. She began oil painting at the age of 12 after moving from Iraq to Sweden, and later staged a number of successful exhibitions there.

Developing a style with references to Japanese and Arabic calligraphy, art nouveau, Persian miniature, and Greek iconography, Kahraman now lives and works in San Francisco, and has had numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world over the past 12 years.

In November 2014 she was recognised by the Global Thinkers Forum for Excellence in Cultural Creativity.

Ismahane Elouafi - Moroccan woman who assist agriculture technology

Dr Elouafi took up the position of ICBA Director General in 2012, and has more than 15 years experience in agricultural research.

ICBA (International Centre of Biosaline Agriculture) aims to help poor farmers in placers where water is scarce, making it a vital lifeline for those working in various parts of the Arab world. The centre also aims to develop new technologies to allow saltwater to be used to irrigate agriculture. Previously a member of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Elouafi has received many international award - not least the National Reward Medal from His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco.

Muna Harib - Emirati woman who promote acts of kindness

Helping others is second nature for Muna Harib Al Muhairi, an Emirati woman who has founded a string of charitable organisations.

After launching Seeds of Change - a group to promote random acts of kindness - and Buskha - an organisation which supports low-income Emiratis in rural parts of the country, Harib founded the Breathing Numbers project. Devised after visiting refugee camps in Jordan in the aftermath of the Syrian civil war, Breathing Numbers originally aimed to document the plight of hundreds of thousands of people trapped on the Jordanian border. The project has since developed to become even more humanitarian, supplying material assistance as well as an emotional boost to the refugee communities.

Ahlam - Emirati woman who proved herself in arts and entertainment

The Emirati singing star is as popular as ever, largely thanks to her judging role on talent show Arab Idol - popularity that is backed up by 4.46 million followers on Twitter.

The musician, who has 10 albums under her belt since launching her career in 1994, was born in Abu Dhabi to Bahraini and Emirati parents, and actually lived the early part of her life in Bahrain before returning to the UAE to finish her education.

Ahlam Ali Al Shamsi - to give her her full name - recently switched record labels, signing with new label Platinum Records earlier this year. Platinum Records is owned by Saudi artist Rashid Al Majid, in partnership with television channel MBC, which screens Arab Idol. She had previously been with Rotana Production Company.

Sara Akbar - Kuwaiti woman who achieved in energy industry

Some call her The Firefighting Lady, others The Iron Lady of the Middle East. Either way, Sara Akbar’s three decades in the oil and gas industry have brought her huge respect.

The CEO and co-founder of Kuwait Energy has long been hailed as one of the most highly regarded spokespeople in the industry, having started her career with the Kuwait Oil Company from 1981 to 1999, and KUFPEC from 1999 to 2005, before launching Kuwait Energy. The moniker ‘firefighter’ stems from the important role she played in Kuwait’s oil production recovery efforts following the 1990 Iraq invasion. As a result of her work she was given the Global 500 Award from the UN Environmental Programme.

Hoda Kotb - Egyptian woman who is well regonised in media

As host of NBC’s Today programe, Hoda Kotb is one of the most recognisable faces to American television viewers.

The US citizen, whose parents are both Egyptian, rose through the ranks in journalsm, starting out as a news assistant for CBS News in Cairo before working her way up the chain and eventually landing a job as a correspondent on Dateline NBC in 1998, and later as co-host of Today in 2007. Kotb has aslo been announced as a host of a live call-in show on the SiriusXM radio channel, and is possibly best known for her breast cancer awareness advocacy. The TV star underwent surgery for breast cancer in 2007 and allowed television cameras to follow her throughout her cancer battle, while documenting her story on the Today Show.

Mona Ataya - Palestine woman who proved herself in retail industry

A leading light of the online retail scene, Mona Ataya and her company Mumzworld are going from strength to strength.

Launched in 2011, Mumzworld is well on track to fulfil Ataya’s ambition to “make Mumzworld the undisputed leader in mother and baby shopping”. Not only is the company offering more than 200,000 registered users a vast choice of products, but Ataya has also offered female-only rounds of investing – giving women the opportunity to be part of a business they can believe in.

Mishaal Ashemimry - Saudi woman who scored well in Aerospace Engineering

Having developed a fascination with the stars aged just six years old, it should come as no surprise that Mishaal Ashemimry now builds rockets for a living.

The US-based aerospace engineer, whose masters degree research was funded by NASA, has held true to her young passion for space, founding MISHAAL Aerospace in 2010 and specialising in launch vehicle development to send  small satellites to Low Earth Orbit. Clients to date have included governments, research companies, commercial companies, and telecommunication players. Based in Miami, Ashemimry holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering, and in Applied Mathematics, as well as a Masters of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, with academic focus on experimental and analytical aerodynamics, rocket design, and nuclear thermal propulsion.

Reine Abbas - Lebanese woman who succeeded in Technology

Only two years ago Reine Abbas was name as one of the five most powerful women in the gaming industry, and it’s easy to see why.

Abbas launched game development company Wixel Studios in 2007, alongside her husband and business partner. Focusing largely on games with a political bent, Wixel’s products have been downloaded regularly across the world. Popular titles include Survival Race, and Little Heroes, Big Deeds - an edutainment game aimed at children. As managing partner and lead artist, Abbas has her hands full, but still finds time to be an active educator in gaming, programming, and design.

Buthaina Al Ansari - Qatari woman who achieved in Culture and Society industry

A tireless promotor of women in her home country of Qatar, Buthaina Al Ansari is at the forefront of positive change in the Kingdom.

Having developed a stellar reputation as HR director at telco Ooredoo, Al Ansari is the founder of Qatariat - a company that specialises in helping Qatari women advance in the workforce.

Qatariat has three main focuses: Qatariat Training and Development, Qatariat Magazine, and the Qatariat Development Consultancy. The executive has also been an ambassador of Women Leading Change Qatar, and a speaker at numerous events, where she regularly highlights her belief that women need to brand themselves and establish their own identity.

Hind Hobeika - Lebanese women who achieved in Technology

It is testament to her success that Hind Hobeika is now a regular participant at summits and conferences across MENA.

Recently, the Lebanese tech entrepreneur took part in the first ever Women in the World Summit, Middle East, and is due to be one of the highlights at the forthcoming STEP Conference in Dubai.

Hobeika founded her sports technology start-up, Instabeat, in 2011, and hasn’t looked back since. The performance tracker for swimmers that tracks heart rates, calories burned and lap times, is worn on a pair of swimming goggles and has been supported by investors and the community alike, with the company comfortably surpassing its crowd-funding target, as well as winning seed investment from Berytech. The first batch of Instabeats are scheduled to be sent to customers in the coming months.