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.