Jordanian scientist Lubna Tahtamouni joins female leaders in Madrid for RAISA

AMMAN — Within the framework of the RAISA programme, a group of 20 African and Mediterranean women, internationally renowned for their work, arrived in Madrid on October 24 with the aim of strengthening ties with Spanish public and private institutions, as well as with civil society agents. 

The RAISA programme is promoted by the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Union, said a RAISA statement.

Among the participants is Jordanian scientist Lubna Tahtamouni.

The main objective of the programme is to contribute to the empowerment and recognition of African and Mediterranean women, as well as to establish possible lines of collaboration between Spain, the African continent and the Mediterranean countries. 

It includes a series of talks and round tables to discuss, expose the strengths, threats and challenges that women in these countries face today. The RAISA programme has the support of Casa África, Casa Árabe and Casa Mediterráneo.

One of the main highlights of the various activities scheduled was the audience with the King of Spain, Felipe VI, which took place on Monday with the group of female leaders.

Other activities include meetings with the president and the International Cooperation Commission of the Congress of Deputies, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Secretary of State for International Cooperation, the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation, Elcano Royal Institute, International League of Women for Peace and Freedom, Cotec Foundation, among others.

Tahtamouni is a Jordanian biologist known for her work in cancer research and stem cell research in neurodegenerative diseases. 

She was chair of the department of biology and biotechnology at Hashemite University in Zarqa, Jordan. 

She has won multiple awards for her work on breast cancer and is known for her activism in defence of young women in the Arab world who choose to pursue a scientific career. In 2016, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women.