Al-Dulaimi: The Arab Women Authority is the Largest and Most Influential International organized for Women

In the vibrant heart of Dubai, over a cup of coffee that reflected the warmth of dialogue and the depth of vision, I met Mohammed Al-Dulaimi, Secretary-General of the Arab Women Authority and President of the Women’s International Football Association (WIFA).
Al-Dulaimi leads, with remarkable vision and expertise, two of the most prominent international organizations dedicated to women’s advancement, development, and sports, transforming them into genuine platforms for empowerment on the global stage.
Describing him as a leader of the Arab women’s movement, I asked him about the institution he has guided for more than a quarter of a century. He explained that the Arab Women Authority is no longer merely a coordinating framework; it has evolved into a leading international Arab institution that embraces all Arab women’s federations and associations without exception.
The Authority has successfully built a strong network of strategic partnerships with international and United Nations institutions to advance women’s development and strengthen their role in society.
During our conversation, Al-Dulaimi spoke openly about the Authority’s priorities and the reasons behind the selection of Geneva as its permanent headquarters.

He explained that the decision was not made overnight but was the result of five years of careful planning. Geneva, as a global center for diplomacy, hosts dozens of governmental and non-governmental international organizations and serves as a major platform for multilateral conferences. This strategic location enables Arab women to become active participants in shaping international programs and policies, presenting issues affecting Arab women on the global stage, and building effective partnerships that support the Authority’s development initiatives in health, education, empowerment, and training.
Al-Dulaimi also revealed details about the Authority’s international breast cancer treatment campaign, which aims to save thousands of lives. He further discussed the challenges facing the Authority—challenges common to many international institutions—though he noted that addressing them in detail falls beyond the scope of this spontaneous interview.

Interview Transcript Welcome, Mr. Secretary-General. The Arab Women Authority is known for launching major initiatives. How do you assess its international standing today?

Mohammed Al-Dulaimi:

First, we did not inherit this Authority—we built it. Every major project in history requires people willing to sacrifice for it. I believed in this cause from an early stage and dedicated myself to promoting the empowerment and participation of Arab women. I have devoted more than half of my life to this mission and will continue advocating for Arab women in every arena for as long as I can.
I recall attending a seminar at Sana’a University in the late 1990s where the late renowned poet Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Maqaleh said, “We will keep carving through stone until water emerges.” That phrase, embodying determination and perseverance, remained deeply rooted in my mind and accompanied the launch of the Arab Women Authority project. For more than twenty-five years, we continued carving through stone until the water finally emerged, bringing hope and renewal. As the Arab poet once wrote, “She finally cast down her staff and found her resting place”—and for us, that place is Geneva, Switzerland.
Today, I can confidently say that the Authority has achieved an exceptional transformation. Through the collective efforts of our institutional team, we have become the largest and most influential umbrella institution for Arab women worldwide. The Authority now brings together women’s federations and associations from across the Arab world in a spirit of unity and cooperation.
Our focus is no longer limited to the regional sphere. We have established impactful partnerships with international institutions that share our vision of strengthening women’s capabilities and enhancing their leadership and developmental roles.

I can confidently say that the world will hold its breath during the announcement of the Woman of the Century.

Mohammed Aldulaimi

These achievements have been complemented by the ongoing successes of the Women’s International Football Association (WIFA), which I am honored to lead. Through WIFA and the WIFA Humanitarian Foundation, we work to connect sports with social empowerment while supporting health, education, and humanitarian initiatives.

The recent decision to establish Geneva as the Authority’s permanent headquarters has attracted significant attention. What are the strategic dimensions behind this choice ?

Al-Dulaimi:

Smiling as he takes a sip of coffee.
The choice of Geneva was far from accidental. It was a carefully considered strategic step designed to strengthen our diplomatic and operational presence. Geneva is the world’s capital of humanitarian action and human rights. Being there places us just minutes away from the European headquarters of the United Nations and the Human Rights Council.

This proximity provides the Authority with greater flexibility and influence in coordinating directly with major international institutions such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the World Health Organization. Our objective is to ensure that this strategic location translates into higher-quality and more efficient projects that serve Arab women, particularly in communities most in need.

The Authority has received overwhelmingly positive responses to this historic move from prominent female leaders, member federations and associations, as well as media organizations and journalists.
Turning to humanitarian and health initiatives, the international breast cancer campaign appears to be a major priority. How far have these efforts progressed?

Al-Dulaimi:

This issue currently stands at the top of our agenda. Breast cancer threatens not only women’s health but also the stability of families and communities. For this reason, we launched an international campaign that extends beyond awareness efforts.
The campaign focuses on establishing fully equipped healthcare centers that provide early detection services and free treatment. Simultaneously, we are implementing intensive training programs to teach women self-examination techniques and support the training of healthcare personnel. We firmly believe that saving one woman’s life means saving an entire family.
What other priorities and challenges are currently occupying the Arab Women Authority?

Al-Dulaimi:

Our priorities are diverse and reflect contemporary realities. We are heavily focused on professional and political training programs that expand women’s participation in decision-making positions. Economic empowerment also remains a major priority through support for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as efforts to combat digital and educational illiteracy in underserved communities.
We want Arab women to be active contributors and partners in sustainable development rather than passive recipients of development plans.
As part of our commitment to global engagement and cultural exchange in an increasingly interconnected world, the Authority acquired the well-known American publication The Woman. Our goal is to transform it into a modern media platform capable of communicating women’s issues and concerns to international audiences while highlighting the achievements, innovations, and inspiring success stories of Arab women.
What occupies Mohammed Al-Dulaimi’s mind at this moment?

Al-Dulaimi:

At present, I am deeply engaged in preparations for what I consider a historic initiative: the selection of the “Woman of the Century.” This event has the potential to capture the attention of billions around the world.
I can confidently say that the world will hold its breath during the announcement of the Woman of the Century. The initiative seeks to honor a remarkable woman whose achievements embody humanity, civilization, progress, and a forward-looking vision of women’s role in development and global peace.
Despite my many responsibilities, I remain a writer, author, and political researcher. I am currently completing a new book, to be published in English by an American publishing house, titled A Quarter Century in the Gulf: Politics and Its Shifting Sands. Promotional announcements are expected to appear in the media in the coming weeks.
As for my long journey working alongside women, that is a story in itself. I am planning to publish my memoirs in 2028 under the title Alone Among Women, reflecting on more than twenty-five years of experiences and memories as the only man working among Arab women’s organizations.
Finally, Mr. Secretary-General, would you like to conclude this interview with a final message?

Al-Dulaimi:

Thank you. We greatly appreciate the role of responsible media in highlighting the achievements and aspirations of Arab women.
I am proud that we have succeeded in bringing Arab women together under the umbrella of the Arab Women Authority. My next challenge is to continue working diligently toward uniting women from around the world under the banner of the Women’s International Football Association (WIFA), which, like the Arab Women Authority, is headquartered in Switzerland.