In this follow-up video from the Center’s Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery in MENA workshop, Rayna Sabah Bakr evaluates the current post-pandemic recovery plans in Iraq. She notes what is being prioritized and what should be prioritized. She then continues with thoughts on how to address gender inequality in Iraq’s economic ecosystem.

Ranya Sabah Bakr is the country manager for Viamo – Iraq. She is an Iraqi entrepreneurship and innovation professional with a master’s degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship from Bournemouth University. She is a former Chevening Scholar and also holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering. Ranya worked for ‘Strengthening the Participation of Women in the Rehabilitation and Peace Process Project’ in Iraq as advisor for entrepreneurial and economic empowerment. She was a start-up promotion and policy development advisor for the private sector development programs of GIZ Iraq, where she co-led a nationwide start-up competition named INTILAQ. Prior to that, Ranya co-founded a co-working space for architects in Baghdad (STOREY) and was a stakeholder advisor and a management team member of the Innovation for Development project by UNDP Iraq. Ranya has obtained international recognition by speaking as part of the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ in Baghdad, as well as in the UK in 2019 and 2020. She is a bronze award winner in the category of Urban Sustainability in UNLEASH in Denmark, and a fellow and coach of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in Japan.