Arab Media Watch director Muna Nashashibi has been chosen among hundreds of candidates to be one of the 12 members forming the International Working Group, which is the Women's National Commission's working group looking at international aspects of women's human rights and gender equality. This is the first time that an Arab voice is represented in this governmental institution.

Also, AMW advisor Sami Ramadani is speaking on occupation and resistance in Iraq at a public meeting on November 1, and AMW patron Dr. Ghada Karmi is part of a panel discussion on November 3 entitled "The Plight of Jerusalem: A Dying City".

Following is a statement from Muna Nashashibi:

I am glad to announce that as Chair of the Women's Coalition for Palestine and Director of Arab Media Watch, I have been chosen from among hundreds of candidates to be one of the 12 members forming the International Working Group, which is the Women's National Commission's working group looking at international aspects of women's human rights and gender equality.

The aim of the group is to bring together a diverse spectrum of UK women's organisations with expertise and an interest in international issues, to lobby the government on key topics, contribute to government policy, and feed into the WNC's commitments at national, EU and UN levels.

The WNC is the government's independent advisory body on women. It plays a central role in the drive to put women's voices at the heart of government. The WNC works with a broad range of women's groups, ensuring that it is as representative as possible in presenting the views of women to government.

This is the first time that an Arab voice is represented in this institution.

My field is human rights, women in conflict and post-conflict governance. Of great importance and significance are the traumas inflicted on women as they suffer in Palestine, Iraq, Sudan and elsewhere in the Arab world.