“The AIWF x Pfizer report advocates for embedding DEI into healthcare workplace culture, policy and practice, and leveraging the strengths of a diverse and experienced team for personal and professional growth through mentorship, role modelling and knowledge / experience exchange. It calls on us all to address the issue of burnout among women, particularly those in leadership roles; to support them in their career trajectory and in striving for work-life balance; and to challenge societal and institutional expectations that women should stop working or limit their responsibilities when they have children. It calls for more proactive and transparent career development initiatives and promotion programmes, and recognises men as partners and allies in the journey towards DEI in the health sciences and in STEM overall.”
–Haifa Al Kaylani, President & Founder, Arab International Women’s Forum
At a special media roundtable event at Pfizer offices in Dubai on Tuesday 07 November 2023, Pfizer and the Arab International Women Forum (AIWF) launched the ‘DEI by Design’ report containing insights and recommendations about how women’s leadership can impact the Middle East and North Africa’s health outcomes. The report was a result of collaborative virtual panel series with top medical practitioners and health science professionals from the region that discussed mentorship, hospital strategies, and diversity in clinical trials among other topics.
‘DEI by Design’ was launched in a media event led by Haifa Al Kaylani, President and Founder of AIWF, Patrick Van Der Loo, Regional President for Middle East, Russia & Africa, Pfizer, and Parmjot Bains, Gulf Cluster Lead, Pfizer.
The report provides recommendations to lift up women in health. Among many solutions, the report highlights the importance of addressing acute health and mental health challenges for women in conflict-ridden countries and include their voices in decision-making processes to humanise medical provisions for refugees; investing in a robust homegrown research culture in the region; advocating for enhanced collaboration between health authorities, hospitals, and universities to establish organised frameworks for clinical trials in the MENA region.
For well over a decade, Pfizer has been a Platinum Corporate Partner of the Arab International Women’s Forum, a leading development organisation based in London with strong representation throughout the MENA region and especially the UAE and KSA where its Global Corporate Partners (PepsiCo, PwC and Pfizer) have their regional headquarters. After the global pandemic which spotlighted the invaluable contributions of women health practitioners and professionals AIWF and Pfizer are especially proud to have worked in close collaboration and in dialogue with all the stakeholders and speakers featured in this report.
Download the ‘DEI by Design’ Report and Recommendations here.
