Panel Discussion: Access to Higher Education for Refugee Women: How Can We Help?

On 23 November 2021, Switzerland for UNHCR held an event in collaboration with the Graduate Institute and with the support of Giving Women and the Women’s Business Society.

Globally, only 5% of the refugee population has access to higher education compared to 39% of the general population, and for women it is even less. From a gendered perspective, education for women at all levels has been proven to benefit the world by breaking cycles of poverty, narrowing disparities in child-rearing, and promoting the empowerment of women for better economic inclusion. What are the barriers, the challenges and how can we help to overcome them?

Panel discussion with:

• Aya Abdullah, Refugee Student in Geneva
• Moira Faul, Executive Director of NORRAG (moderator)
• Atalanti Moquette, Founder, Giving Women
• Jackie Strecker, Connected Education Lead, UN Refugee Agency
• Bernhard Streitwieser, Associate Professor, International Education & International Affairs, The George Washington University

A musical performance by the soloist Yousra Dhahbi followed the panel discussion.

This event was organised in partnership with Switzerland for UNHCR and with the support of Giving Women and the Women’s Business Society.

Check out an interview with our founder, Atalanti Moquette, on the need to expand access to higher education for refugee women here.

And here is the recording from the event: