Sahar Nasr is the Lead Economist in the World Bank’s Finance and Private Sector Development Department of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Ms. Nasr is also the Regional Program Manager for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in MENA. In her 17 years with the World Bank, she has worked in technical and managerial positions in financial sector reform, access to finance, small and medium enterprises development, microfinance, and private sector development with a main focus on gender issues. Sahar has mainstreamed gender in key operation in MENA Region, including those aiming at attaining an inclusive system through enhancing women's access to finance, as well as access to affordable housing for low- and middle-income groups. Sahar has a number of publications on gender issues, including the economic security of Arab women, and women’s economic empowerment and political participation.