Anne Carson has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, recognising her distinctive contributions to poetry and contemporary literature.
A poet, essayist and classicist, Carson is known for blending ancient texts with modern ideas, exploring themes of love, language and human experience.
Her achievement celebrates the power of women’s voices to shape literature, challenge perspectives and influence culture.
101 applications. Thank you for sharing your ambitions with us.
The WBN 10 Grants Programme is now in the shortlisting stage. We are carefully reviewing applications to select candidates for the next step.
To everyone who applied, thank you for the time, thought, and effort you put into your application.
Stay tuned for updates.
Morocco has named its first woman prime minister
King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri to form the next government, after her centrist Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) won the most seats in last week’s parliamentary elections. She is 50, mayor of Marrakesh, and served as minister for national spatial planning, urban development and housing in the outgoing government.
She is only the second woman to lead a government in the Arab world, after Tunisia’s Najla Bouden.
The appointment is historic.
It also shows how Morocco’s system works. The king chooses the head of government from the party that finishes first, and most real power still sits with the palace. PAM leads, but it does not have the seats to govern alone. The next test is whether she can build a majority.
Moments from an inspiring evening in Slemani.
A room filled with energy, meaningful conversations and women coming together to connect, share and inspire.
Our networking reception in Slemani city brought together inspiring women for meaningful conversations, new connections and shared possibilities.
Because when women connect, new possibilities begin.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Mercedes-Benz for supporting the evening.
1 DAY LEFT.
This is your final chance to take the next step toward turning your idea into something bigger.
Don’t wait. Don’t miss it.
DEADLINE: 10 SEPTEMBER 2026
APPLY TODAY.
The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement to launch the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Syria project.
Funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief under the Bathraa Initiative, the US$1.5 million project aims to restore rural livelihoods, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable economic empowerment. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 285,320 people across three of Syria’s most vulnerable rural governorates, with a particular focus on expanding economic opportunities for rural women and supporting more resilient local communities.
Big businesses often start with a simple idea. We’re here to help turn yours into something real.
Women Beyond Network is supporting 10 women with the guidance, expertise, and resources to build, develop, and grow their business ideas.
Have an idea worth building? Take the first step.
Applications close: 10 September 2026
Apply now: https://t.co/PC1j6sgFGy
The Psychology of Confident Women Leaders
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with it’s something you build along the way.
It grows with every challenge you face, every decision you make, and every moment you choose to step forward despite doubt. Confidence is built through action, strengthened by experience, and shaped by courage.
Discover the psychology behind confident women leaders in the full article: https://t.co/SNnhePOdlR
Rêz Gardî is an international human rights lawyer and Special Assistant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Born in a refugee camp and later resettled in New Zealand, she has dedicated her career to advancing human rights, refugee protection, and global policy.
Her legal career spans continents and sectors. She has practised as an international lawyer across the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, served as a litigator at a leading law firm and as a lawyer at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and lectured in international law. The first Kurd to graduate from Harvard Law School, where she was a Fulbright Scholar, she is admitted to practice in both New Zealand and New York.
Alongside her legal work, Rez has built institutions that put refugees at the centre of decisions made about them. She co-founded the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at the University of Auckland and Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table (R-SEAT), which advances refugee leadership in policymaking, and founded Empower Youth Trust to support young people from refugee backgrounds into higher education.
In 2025, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to refugees and human rights.
When ambitious women come together, possibilities grow.
Join us in Slemani for an evening of connection, collaboration, and inspiration, bringing together women who are building businesses, leading teams, creating opportunities, and shaping what’s next.
RSVP now and join us for an evening of connection, collaboration, and opportunity.
Stop trying to make your application perfect. Start by making it real. We want to hear your idea, your why, and the problem you’re ready to solve. Women Beyond Network is offering 10 grants to women ready to turn their potential into progress.
Applications close September 10. Apply through the link in our bio.
Dilvin Mustafa Barzani is an Executive Shareholder at Mountain Evergreen, with experience spanning the private sector, humanitarian work and international development. She previously served as Human Resources Manager at Pepsi and Deputy Programs Manager at the Rwanga Foundation, where she led flagship initiatives, contributed to fundraising, built national and international partnerships and supported job fairs that connected hundreds of graduates with employment across the Kurdistan Region.
A certified Training of Trainers (TOT) facilitator, Dilvin has delivered leadership and employability programs for young people, including refugees and IDPs. She is also the first female gyrocopter pilot in the Kurdistan Region. She has represented organizations at international forums, including the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York, and is completing her Executive MBA at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH).
As a Board Member of the Women Beyond Network (WBN), Dilvin supports the organization’s strategic direction and champions initiatives that empower women leaders and drive social and economic impact.
Shara Dizeyee is the Managing Director of Women Beyond Network (WBN). With a career spanning humanitarian work, community development, education, and nonprofit leadership across Iraq and the United Kingdom, she has worked with organizations including QANDIL Swedish Humanitarian Aid Organization, the Refugee Council, Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN), the British Red Cross, and Blackpool Carers Centre. Throughout her career, she has led community initiatives, managed volunteer teams, and supported vulnerable communities.
Today, Shara is dedicated to advancing WBN’s mission by empowering women through networking, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and meaningful partnerships. She believes that empowering women creates stronger communities and lasting impact.
Every success story shared became a spark for someone else’s journey.
Thank you to the incredible women who joined our Women Beyond Network gathering in Duhok. Here’s to stronger connections, bigger dreams, and endless possibilities.
Our Women Beyond Network gathering in Duhok brought together inspiring women with one shared vision to connect, support one another, and create new opportunities through collaboration.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and made this gathering so meaningful. Duhok, this is only the beginning.
Dr. Kochar Wallad Begi is a Swedish-Kurdish scientist, healthcare professional, public leader, and advocate for equality whose work bridges medicine, research, public policy, and community leadership. Holding a Ph.D. in cardiovascular medicine, she has dedicated her career to advancing evidence-based healthcare, scientific excellence, and inclusive public service. Alongside her work in clinical pathology, she serves as an elected representative in the City of Gothenburg, contributing to policies that strengthen healthcare, education, and equal opportunities for all.
Dr. Wallad Begi’s professional journey reflects both academic excellence and a deep commitment to serving society. With extensive experience in biomedical research, diagnostic medicine, and healthcare, she combines scientific expertise with public leadership to drive meaningful change. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to connect science, policymaking, and community engagement, ensuring that research and innovation translate into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
Originally from the Kurdistan, Dr. Wallad Begi’s life has been shaped by resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. After arriving in Sweden as a refugee, she pursued higher education, earned advanced scientific degrees in the United Kingdom, and later established herself as both a respected healthcare professional and an elected policymaker in Sweden. Her journey reflects the transformative impact of opportunity, determination, and inclusive societies.
As a Board Member of Women Beyond Borders, Dr. Wallad Begi contributes to advancing the organization’s global mission of empowering women, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and supporting initiatives that create lasting social impact. She remains dedicated to building bridges between communities, promoting inclusive leadership, and inspiring positive change across borders.