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Woman’s Rights Network KARAMA Opens European Headquarters at HSD Campus International Centre

Contact /Tanja Baars Datum /
In The Hague, the International City of Peace, Justice and Security, the Arab Network for Women's Rights, KARAMA, opened a new European office today. From the WTC The Hague and in the heart of The Hague IT community, KARAMA members are at risk of their lives against ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria, Libya and Yemen, and fight for women's rights in Arab countries. The Hague's Deputy Major Saskia Bruines, together with Member of Dutch Parliament Han Ten Broeke, entrepreneur Ad Koole and Corinne Heijn of United Success and member of the Advisory Board Karama Europe, conducted the official opening. Also KARAMA activist Zahra Langhi was present at this festive opening.
KARAMA-netwerk voor vrouwenrechten strijkt neer in IT-community in Den Haag

The Hague’s Deputy Major, Saskia Bruines presents a special plaque to Elisabeth van der Steenhoven (Director KARAMA Europe) as a warm welcome. © Daniel Verkijk

Women standing strong together

The UN-accredited women network KARAMA (Arabic for dignity) is active in North-Africa and the Middle-East. KARAMA fights for improving the position and rights of women in the Arabic world and brings women- and societal organisations together. She gives women a voice, informs and helps them to organise themselves better. The daily activities of the KARAMA-members are complicated by frequent death threats and targeted attacks by extremists against these social active women.

KARAMA-netwerk voor vrouwenrechten strijkt neer in IT-community in Den Haag

Secure communication close by

Elisabeth van der Steenhoven, Director of KARAMA Europe: “We have moved our European headquarters from Brussels to The Hague, because in The Hague the diversity of important and innovative aspects comes together. The presence of the Peace Palace and the International Criminal Court (ICC / CPI) in this city is in line with our campaigns for justice during and after conflict. And the Province of Zuid-Holland in general and the Municipality of The Hague in particular has an impressive cluster of innovative startups and companies where our brave activists could benefit from in the resistance against ISIS.”

KARAMA-netwerk voor vrouwenrechten strijkt neer in IT-community in Den Haag

From left to right: Saskia Bruines (Deputy Major of The Hague), Corinne Heijn (United Success and Advisory Board Karama Europe), Han ten Broeke (Member of Dutch Parliament) and Ad Koolen (Compumatica). © Daniel Verkijk

KARAMA settles in the HSD Campus International Center at the World Trade Center, The Hague. The KARAMA women compete in all openness, also for their safety, and each advice helps them in their fight.

“From The Hague, the International City of Peace, Justice and Security, people work together every day to create a more peaceful, fairer and safer world,” says Chris van Voorden, Director of Foreign Investments at InnovationQuarter. “For NGOs and women’s organizations of the United Nations like KARAMA, the connection to the strong The Hague IT community is very valuable. We are ready to introduce KARAMA to innovative entrepreneurs in West Holland, and wish Elisabeth and her female colleagues a successful start, also on behalf of the HSD Campus.”