28/03/2009
By Arafat Madabish
Sanaa, There have been a number of important stages in the life of Shada Nasser – the first female lawyer to work in Sanaa, and the first female lawyer to stand before the [Yemeni] courts unveiled – that have helped build her character and refine her talent, which has allowed her to become one of the most feted Yemeni lawyers on both the national and international levels. Perhaps many people recall the picture of Shada Nasser taken less than a month ago when she jointly received an international prize in New York [Woman of the Year Prize from Glamour Magazine] along with Najood Ali. Shada Nasser represented Najood Ali in court, successfully securing a marriage annulment for the girl who was only ten years old at the time. This resulted in the two receiving international fame, since this was an unprecedented event in Yemen and has encouraged other girls [in the same situation as Najood] to do the same.
Shada Nasser was born on 1 May 1964 in Aden, which at the time was a British colony. Her father, Mohamed Nasser Mohamed, was a well-known politician and diplomat who died under mysterious circumstances in an airplane accident in 1973 along with a number of other diplomats from South Yemen. Shada graduated with a Law degree from Charles University in Prague in 1989, and completed a one-year postgraduate degree from the same university. Shada worked as Director of the Drafting Committee for Legal Affairs for the University of Sanaa between 1990 and 1996, and she also founded the first female only law firm in March 1996. Shada Nasser also participated in the Yemeni parliamentary elections of April 1997, acting as Assistant Secretary-General of Technical Affairs for the Electoral Oversight Commission.
Shada Nasser was one of three female Yemeni lawyers to found the pioneering female law firm in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, where it was unprecedented for women to work in law, in comparison to the city of Aden where women work as lawyers, judges, and police officers.
Shada believes that her determination is what has allowed her to overcome these professional obstacles and barriers to become the first female lawyer in the city of Sanaa.
The first day of Shada Nasser's professional life as a lawyer was a strange and busy one. Shada told Asharq Al-Awsat, “I hailed a taxi cab and asked the driver to take me to the Bani Al-Harith Court which is located in the north of the city. The driver was very curious, and what served to increase his curiosity was that I was unveiled. This was ten years ago when I was younger and more beautiful! The driver asked me 'You must have a case in court?' I answered yes. He said 'Are you filing for divorce?' I said no, I'm a lawyer. He did not believe me and continued to believe that I was going to court to file for divorce. He continued to ask me questions and in the end he said to me 'If it won't embarrass you, tell me who your husband is, and I will hit him for you!’”
Inside court Shada Nasser found a number of tribal men and others who were waiting for their legal cases to be heard. They looked at her in shock and said ‘What is this girl doing here?’
Perhaps Shada Nasser was frightened at the prospect of standing before a traditional Yemeni judge who would not have been used to dealing with female lawyers. However she was surprised as the judge was completely calm. Of her first day in court Shada said, “In my first case, I was in front of Judge Mohamed Hamran, and to be honest he welcomed me as a member [of the court] and he encouraged me and my other colleagues, and we did not feel that he was treating us as women or girls with no experience or unable to handle our responsibilities. Some judges in Sanaa’s courts also [treated us] in the same way such as Judge Mohamed al Wadaey and Judge Mohamed al Sharfi, who encouraged the role of women.”
But judges and indeed Yemenis in general, are not all the same, and do not all encourage the role of women in the judicial system. One of these, according to Shada Nasser, was a judge who later went on to become a minister, and Shada Nasser has bad memories of him. Shada said, “He did not welcome me. Another judge would ask me to move from [sitting] in the front row to [sit] in the second row. When I asked why, he answered, ‘You are a woman, and the front row is for men only, no matter whether you are a lawyer or not.’ But my insistence in doing my job in a professional manner eventually forced him to respect me.”
Shada Nasser, who was born in Aden and studied in Eastern Europe, returned to her country at a time when North and South Yemen were being reunified, and the new capital city became the conservative Sanaa, rather than the liberal Aden. Shada Nasser, who grew up in liberal Aden, was thus free from the social customs and traditions that were and are still prevalent in Northern Yemen, including wearing the Hijab [headscarf] and the Niqab [face veil]. Speaking about this Shada remembers, “Once I was trying a case in front of a judge and suddenly my Hijab fell off my head – which I did not [ordinarily] wear in any case but had opted to cover my hair in accordance with society [in Sanaa]. The Secretariat of the Court asked me angrily ‘What is that on your head?’ meaning your Hijab has fallen off and you are standing in front of the judge with an uncovered head. Then I started to fasten a pin to my Hijab to avoid such situations [in the future].”
The daughter of a liberal politician and diplomat, it was expected that Shada Nasser would follow in the footsteps of her father, either into politics or diplomacy, or journalism. Her father was also a journalist and founded the newspaper ‘Al Tariq’ in Aden in 1966, which is now run by his son, Ayman Nasser. However Shada Nasser chose the path of law, and she confirms that she chose to enter law because her father died under mysterious circumstances which went uninvestigated, and she hoped to prosecute the persons who, in her own words, “killed my father.” This is not the only reason that Shada Nasser decided to enter law, but also because she wanted to stand up for the oppressed.
Shada Nasser is one of the few female [Yemeni] public figures not to have affiliated themselves with a political party, and she was particularly influenced by her father's political ideals. She explained this saying, “Since my childhood I lived in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [South Yemen] which was built almost along socialist lines. My father read widely and followed the news to the point that we had a small radio in our bathroom, and newspapers next to it, and he would listen to the news and read in the bathroom so as not to waste time. He dreamt of an equal society with regards to human rights and duties, he dreamt of helping the workers and peasants, but he was not a revolutionary!”
Despite the large number of legal cases that Shada Nasser has undertaken over the previous years, both nationally and internationally, her victory in the case of the child-marriage of Najood Ali represents a pivotal moment in her professional career, according to many observers in Yemen. Shada believes that Najood is just one example of a phenomenon that affects thousands of lives “but Najood was the only one to reach the court and say no to an early marriage, and her voice has reached the entire world.”
The environment that Shada Nasser was born into and grew up in is very different from the environment that she currently lives in, for society in general, and women in particular, had more freedom the ‘People's Democratic Republic of Yemen’ or ‘South Yemen’ but after the unification she moved to live in the new capital of Sanaa, which has been the capital of the ‘Yemen Arab Republic’ or ‘North Yemen.’ In Sanaa, she found many differences including high rates of illiteracy, and the oppression of women's rights, even though the law said that they – to some extent – are equal to men, reality showed otherwise.
The new reality faced by Shada Nasser may have caused some kind of shock in the beginning, and perhaps it can be said that she has adapted to [this new reality] today just as many of her counterparts have. Many men have also adapted to this new reality, whether they moved from Aden to Sanaa after the unification of the country, or whether they returned to Yemen after studying abroad. This is why we find many people, including Shada, who speak about the regime and the laws in the former South Yemen, and of the privileges that they experienced there that allowed Shada Nasser to study in Europe and go on to become a famed lawyer today. This is why she feels that there are “many oppressed people in our society, especially women and children; this includes a group female prisoners in the Central Prison in Sanaa who are imprisoned along with their children [after giving birth in prison].”
Even among the educated women of Yemen, Shada Nasser has been lucky to accomplish all that she has, especially in comparison to many girls who graduate from university in Yemen but are unable to enter the work force due to their husbands wishes. Shada Nasser is married to Dr. Mohamed Ali Al Saqqaf, a professor of international law and Sorbonne graduate; he is a “southerner” like her, who shares similar beliefs as her about living in a “male dominated” society, which does not occur within the tribal community alone, but can also be seen within the educated elites of Yemen.
There can be no doubt that Shada Nasser is proud of her many [legal] victories, but of course these are a drop in the ocean when looking at the reality of Yemen. What cannot be denied is that there are those [in Yemen] who see Shada Nasser merely as a woman, and there are those who completely disagree with her and the principles that she represents. However this does not preclude others from looking at Shada Nasser's experience and how this might influence the next generation of Yemenis, not only in Aden but in Sanaa also.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yemen: Workshop on women's role in public life in Hodeidah
[19 March 2009]
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
Saudi Arabia: Business loans for women approved
Saudi Gazette
By Saud Al-Barakati
JEDDAH – Successfully trained women at the Women’s Higher Technical Institute, affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), will be able to receive a loan of up to SR200,000 each to start their own small businesses.
An agreement to that effect was signed Wednesday between the TVTC and the Credit and Savings Bank, said Niqar Abdulrahman, dean of the technical institute in Jeddah.
The agreement came after the conclusion of training sessions on small business administration, accounting, and workshops at the institute in Jeddah.
The training sessions and workshops have empowered women to go into the job market and set up businesses with the confidence and knowledge to successfully carry out feasibility studies, marketing campaigns, and customer relations, said Abdulrahman.
The TVTC strives to produce businesswomen through its Center of Women Entrepreneurs that provides targeted training programs and supports sound business proposals in order to receive financing, she said. Once the project starts, the center follows it up through its different stages until it becomes fully operational, she added.
The program is open for Saudi women between 18 and 45 with high school diplomas. The second training session will be announced soon.
There are over 40 women’s technical institutes in the Kingdom teaching students a variety of skills including make-up, fashion, electronics, arts and crafts, web design, jewelry design, and others. - Okaz/SG
By Saud Al-Barakati
JEDDAH – Successfully trained women at the Women’s Higher Technical Institute, affiliated with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), will be able to receive a loan of up to SR200,000 each to start their own small businesses.
An agreement to that effect was signed Wednesday between the TVTC and the Credit and Savings Bank, said Niqar Abdulrahman, dean of the technical institute in Jeddah.
The agreement came after the conclusion of training sessions on small business administration, accounting, and workshops at the institute in Jeddah.
The training sessions and workshops have empowered women to go into the job market and set up businesses with the confidence and knowledge to successfully carry out feasibility studies, marketing campaigns, and customer relations, said Abdulrahman.
The TVTC strives to produce businesswomen through its Center of Women Entrepreneurs that provides targeted training programs and supports sound business proposals in order to receive financing, she said. Once the project starts, the center follows it up through its different stages until it becomes fully operational, she added.
The program is open for Saudi women between 18 and 45 with high school diplomas. The second training session will be announced soon.
There are over 40 women’s technical institutes in the Kingdom teaching students a variety of skills including make-up, fashion, electronics, arts and crafts, web design, jewelry design, and others. - Okaz/SG
Iran: Iran women to get equal insurance
BBC News
Insurance companies in Iran will have to pay the same compensation for women and men in the case of death or injury, the Iranian government has said.
Previously, insurance policies have paid women or their families half of what a man or his relatives receive.
Iranian Justice Minister Gholamhoseyn Elham said the companies would also have to make equal payouts to Muslims and non-Muslims.
Non-Muslims and their relatives also currently receive less than Muslims.
The new requirements come into force at the start of the Iranian new year on Saturday.
Insurance companies in Iran will have to pay the same compensation for women and men in the case of death or injury, the Iranian government has said.
Previously, insurance policies have paid women or their families half of what a man or his relatives receive.
Iranian Justice Minister Gholamhoseyn Elham said the companies would also have to make equal payouts to Muslims and non-Muslims.
Non-Muslims and their relatives also currently receive less than Muslims.
The new requirements come into force at the start of the Iranian new year on Saturday.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Saudi Arabia: JCCI club to back voluntary work
Galal Fakkar -- Arab News
JEDDAH: The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has set up a special club for volunteers, particularly businesswomen, to support activities promoting the city council and civic services in Jeddah.
“This club will contribute to the development of Jeddah by providing the municipal council with ideas and proposals to find solutions to the city’s problems with concerned sectors,” said JCCI Secretary-General Mustafa Sabri.
Sabri recalled the directives of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to initiate development programs in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif — key cities of the province — over the next five years.
Ulfat Qabbani, chairman of the Jeddah Council for Social Responsibility at the JCCI, said the club would encourage businessmen and businesswomen to voluntarily serve the community. “This club will give a real boost to Jeddah’s municipal council and will further enhance voluntary activities,” she added.
Tariq Fadaaq, director of the council, said the club would establish direct and more effective means of communication between members of the public and officials, and would help find solutions to a number of problems facing the city.
“The municipal council has so far received 140 complaints on various civic issues of which 80 percent have been resoved,” Fadaaq added.
The director confirmed that the council would deal with each complaint in 48 hours and said it had made remarkable achievements in the city’s development.
He added that the council had signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz University to initiate projects to solve certain issues facing the city.
Fadaaq said under the agreement, 50 students distributed questionnaires asking the public what they felt was required from the municipal council and how to promote the role of the youth in society.
Muhammad Abu Dawoud, a council member, said the new club would convey the opinions of businesswomen to the council to enrich civic work in the city.
JEDDAH: The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has set up a special club for volunteers, particularly businesswomen, to support activities promoting the city council and civic services in Jeddah.
“This club will contribute to the development of Jeddah by providing the municipal council with ideas and proposals to find solutions to the city’s problems with concerned sectors,” said JCCI Secretary-General Mustafa Sabri.
Sabri recalled the directives of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal to initiate development programs in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif — key cities of the province — over the next five years.
Ulfat Qabbani, chairman of the Jeddah Council for Social Responsibility at the JCCI, said the club would encourage businessmen and businesswomen to voluntarily serve the community. “This club will give a real boost to Jeddah’s municipal council and will further enhance voluntary activities,” she added.
Tariq Fadaaq, director of the council, said the club would establish direct and more effective means of communication between members of the public and officials, and would help find solutions to a number of problems facing the city.
“The municipal council has so far received 140 complaints on various civic issues of which 80 percent have been resoved,” Fadaaq added.
The director confirmed that the council would deal with each complaint in 48 hours and said it had made remarkable achievements in the city’s development.
He added that the council had signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz University to initiate projects to solve certain issues facing the city.
Fadaaq said under the agreement, 50 students distributed questionnaires asking the public what they felt was required from the municipal council and how to promote the role of the youth in society.
Muhammad Abu Dawoud, a council member, said the new club would convey the opinions of businesswomen to the council to enrich civic work in the city.
Saudi Arabia: Khulwa sentence against elderly widow causes uproar
Badea Abu Al-Naja | Arab News
JEDDAH: The sentencing of a 75-year-old Arab widow to 40 lashes and four months in prison for mingling with two young men, who were reportedly bringing her bread, has sparked fresh criticism of the Kingdom’s judiciary and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Khamisa Sawadi, a Syrian who was married to a Saudi, was convicted and sentenced last week for meeting men who were not her immediate relatives. The two men, including one who was Sawadi’s late husband’s nephew, were also found guilty and sentenced to prison and lashes.
The woman’s lawyer, Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, said he plans to appeal the verdict, which also demands Sawadi be deported after serving her prison term. He said his client has not served her sentence yet.
Arab News tried to contact police and the commission officials in Hail, but both refused to give further details about the case.
Fariyal King, a legal specialist, said Hail police had a responsibility to explain the case as they detained the two men on the request of officials from the commission. “The Interior Ministry has appointed spokesmen to clarify matters to the media. The Hail police spokesman’s refusal to give a statement shows that there is some sort of obscurity,” she said.
The elderly woman met the men last June after she asked one of them to bring her five loaves of bread, Al-Watan reported. The men — identified by Al-Watan as the nephew, Fahd Al-Anzi, and his friend and business partner, Hadiyan bin Zein — went to Sawadi’s home in the town of Al-Shamli. As they came out after delivering the bread, the two men were arrested by commission officials, Al-Watan said on Monday.
The court said it based its March 3 ruling on information from citizens and the testimony of Al-Anzi’s father, who accused Sawadi of corruption.
Sawadi had told the court that she considered Al-Anzi as her son, because she breast-fed him when he was a baby. But the court denied her claim, saying she had no evidence. In Islamic tradition, breast-feeding establishes a degree of maternal relation.
Sawadi commonly asked her neighbors for help after her husband died, said Saudi journalist Bandar Al-Ammar, who reported the story for Al-Watan.
Suleiman Al-Radhiman, director of the Hail office of the commission, told Al-Watan that his officials detained the woman after receiving a written message that two men had entered her house. “When our patrol team arrived at the site, they found two men coming from the woman’s house. We detained the two and handed them over to police for investigation,” he said.
He pointed out that police had arrested the woman on two previous occasions and a judge in Al-Shamli had convicted her. “The woman asked me to bring bread for her. At that time, I contacted my friend Hadyan who was incidentally passing and he helped me buy bread, as I did not have a car.
“After I gave her the bread two commission officials came. They first said they belonged to a charity and wanted to know the living condition of the woman. While we were going out they caught us and handed over to the police,” said Al-Anzi.
Bin Zein said the commission officials arrested them about 200 meters from the woman’s house. “There were six commission members who all had their faces covered,” he said.
Commenting on the case, lawyer Ibrahim Zamzami said if it was proved that the old woman is Al-Anzi’s foster mother through breast-feeding, then the charge of khulwa (illegal seclusion) would be nullified. But if his relation to her is only as his uncle’s wife then the charge would stand as she is eligible to marry him.
Zamzami, however, warned that the matter of illegal seclusion with an unrelated woman was difficult to prove. “This depends on the circumstances, the time spent together and the way they looked when they come out. The shorter the time spent together, the more likelihood of illegal seclusion,” he said.
The lawyer said a 75-year-old woman is usually not considered seductive yet she is a woman and unrelated men should not remain alone with her. He said court rulings in such cases are based on Shariah, which did not differentiate between old and young. “Old age is not a sufficient ground for acquittal,” he said.
Mohammed Nahar, another lawyer, said the two men were arrested on suspicion of committing a sin. “But in law an accused will be innocent as long as the charge is not proved,” he said.
JEDDAH: The sentencing of a 75-year-old Arab widow to 40 lashes and four months in prison for mingling with two young men, who were reportedly bringing her bread, has sparked fresh criticism of the Kingdom’s judiciary and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Khamisa Sawadi, a Syrian who was married to a Saudi, was convicted and sentenced last week for meeting men who were not her immediate relatives. The two men, including one who was Sawadi’s late husband’s nephew, were also found guilty and sentenced to prison and lashes.
The woman’s lawyer, Abdul Rahman Al-Lahem, said he plans to appeal the verdict, which also demands Sawadi be deported after serving her prison term. He said his client has not served her sentence yet.
Arab News tried to contact police and the commission officials in Hail, but both refused to give further details about the case.
Fariyal King, a legal specialist, said Hail police had a responsibility to explain the case as they detained the two men on the request of officials from the commission. “The Interior Ministry has appointed spokesmen to clarify matters to the media. The Hail police spokesman’s refusal to give a statement shows that there is some sort of obscurity,” she said.
The elderly woman met the men last June after she asked one of them to bring her five loaves of bread, Al-Watan reported. The men — identified by Al-Watan as the nephew, Fahd Al-Anzi, and his friend and business partner, Hadiyan bin Zein — went to Sawadi’s home in the town of Al-Shamli. As they came out after delivering the bread, the two men were arrested by commission officials, Al-Watan said on Monday.
The court said it based its March 3 ruling on information from citizens and the testimony of Al-Anzi’s father, who accused Sawadi of corruption.
Sawadi had told the court that she considered Al-Anzi as her son, because she breast-fed him when he was a baby. But the court denied her claim, saying she had no evidence. In Islamic tradition, breast-feeding establishes a degree of maternal relation.
Sawadi commonly asked her neighbors for help after her husband died, said Saudi journalist Bandar Al-Ammar, who reported the story for Al-Watan.
Suleiman Al-Radhiman, director of the Hail office of the commission, told Al-Watan that his officials detained the woman after receiving a written message that two men had entered her house. “When our patrol team arrived at the site, they found two men coming from the woman’s house. We detained the two and handed them over to police for investigation,” he said.
He pointed out that police had arrested the woman on two previous occasions and a judge in Al-Shamli had convicted her. “The woman asked me to bring bread for her. At that time, I contacted my friend Hadyan who was incidentally passing and he helped me buy bread, as I did not have a car.
“After I gave her the bread two commission officials came. They first said they belonged to a charity and wanted to know the living condition of the woman. While we were going out they caught us and handed over to the police,” said Al-Anzi.
Bin Zein said the commission officials arrested them about 200 meters from the woman’s house. “There were six commission members who all had their faces covered,” he said.
Commenting on the case, lawyer Ibrahim Zamzami said if it was proved that the old woman is Al-Anzi’s foster mother through breast-feeding, then the charge of khulwa (illegal seclusion) would be nullified. But if his relation to her is only as his uncle’s wife then the charge would stand as she is eligible to marry him.
Zamzami, however, warned that the matter of illegal seclusion with an unrelated woman was difficult to prove. “This depends on the circumstances, the time spent together and the way they looked when they come out. The shorter the time spent together, the more likelihood of illegal seclusion,” he said.
The lawyer said a 75-year-old woman is usually not considered seductive yet she is a woman and unrelated men should not remain alone with her. He said court rulings in such cases are based on Shariah, which did not differentiate between old and young. “Old age is not a sufficient ground for acquittal,” he said.
Mohammed Nahar, another lawyer, said the two men were arrested on suspicion of committing a sin. “But in law an accused will be innocent as long as the charge is not proved,” he said.
Saudi Arabia: Frustrating experience
Walaa Hawari & Shiekha Al-Dosary | Arab News
RIYADH: Charms, tokens, enigmatic drawings and other items seized by the vice cops were displayed prominently in one of the largest booths at this year’s Riyadh International Book Fair. Instead of books, a television displayed how the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice reverses magical spells.
“What was in the commission’s booth showed clearly what they thought of the book fair and what they think of books,” one Saudi writer and intellectual told Arab News yesterday.
The book fair, which ends on Friday, has been marked with controversy once again — with liberal and literary minded people complaining of harassment by the commission. For their part, religious authorities have complained, not just about the mingling of men and women at the fair or how women are dressed, but also about how they claim their voices are being quelled by the visitors. Like last year, it was also often difficult to differentiate between official members of the commission and men who simply dress like them.
At one event featuring Saudi writer Abdu Khal, a man dressed in conservative Saudi attire (but with no identifying badge or other indication of legitimate authority) demanded that he be given the microphone.
“After 10 minutes of argument, we gave him the microphone whereupon he started an angry speech in which he accused the fair’s organizing committee of not giving equal opportunity to all,” said Abdu Khal.
An event dedicated to the literary work of Sudan’s Tayeb Salih descended into a debate over morals, interactions between men and women, and the relationship between Islam and literature in general.
The man asked Khal — a vocal critic of the commission — why prominent Saudi poets and literary people attacked conservative society by doing un-Islamic things: “Why can’t they be Muslim and literary at same time?” he asked the audience.
Many of those attending the event who had come to discuss literature and poetry confirmed the incident. Many expressed disapproval and narrated unpleasant incidents that took place at the fair.
“What happened will destroy the image of tolerance we have tried to maintain,” said Saudi writer and journalist Ruqaiyah Yaqub. “The fair respects all viewpoints and Islamic schools. However, some extremists took advantage of that and they took revenge as well.”
Yaqub, who wears a full veil, said that conservatives at the fair (it was impossible to tell if they were actual commission members or just conservatives) attacked her verbally for her tight-fitting abaya, demanding that she “thickly cover everything and wear decent clothes,” she added.
“It’s so ridiculous,” she scoffed. “I’m covering everything with my plain black Abaya and — I don’t know what they consider ‘decent’ — but I believe their main issue is the presence of women at the fair.”
Najet Mield, a representative of a French publishing house, said she was verbally harassed, too, for speaking to men who came to her booth to discuss the books her company sells.
“They questioned my respect for my religion by doing so, which is something they should be punished for doing,” she said angrily. “Women have sold products to men and vice versa since the time of the Prophet (pbuh). If these people knew history, they would know that.”
Mield said she’s a Dai’aa in France, which means she works to spread Islam. “I came a long the way to show my work and I came with an invitation from the Ministry (of Culture and Information),” she said.
After complaining to ministry officials at the fair, the government assigned Mield a minder by the name of Hassan Al-Ansary to accompany her to avoid future harassment.
In one of the more highly publicized incidents at the fair, Saudi writer Halemah Mozaffar was verbally accosted by men who identified themselves as commission members and accused her of immorality for not having her face covered and for signing books given to her by men — she had signed the books as the men had asked her to do so out of admiration for her work.
Halemah published the first academic book about Saudi theater this year. As the tradition of signing a book by the author was not unknown at previous book fairs in Riyadh, she arrived as arranged by the organizing committee. When she was preparing for her signing session, commission members and others were advising her to cover her face “even though it’s an issue where Islamic scholars have difference of opinion.”
“Still,” she added, “I thanked them for the advice and went on about my business, setting up the place where I would sign books.”
When men and women started to approach the stand, Halemah was stunned by the commission members sending away men and forming a human wall to prevent her from signing books for men or even talking to them.
“It was my surprise to find them waiting for me with a pre-intention to stop me from signing my book and even from talking to the crowd, among whom were my fellow writers and theater-specialist colleagues,” she said.
Even the women who wished to have a signed book, according to Halemah, were frightened away by the scene, as there were two commission members, five security guards and six soldiers present.
“The scene was humiliating, especially when some male writers who came to buy the book tried to get my signature on their copies, and were rudely pushed away.”
Halemah then signed the books she already had and tried to give them to some of her colleagues, but the commission members stood between them and ordered her to pass the book to the security guard, who would pass it on.
“His behavior with me was even more rude when I asked: ‘Isn’t the guard a man? Why is it acceptable for me to hand the book to a guard but not to the man who bought the book?’”
The worst happened, according to Halemah, when another prominent writer ‘thanked her after she signed his copy. “The commission member took him aside, scolding him for thanking me considering it an offense to address a woman even with a simple phrase such as ‘thank you,’” she added.
The two hours of continuous annoyance did not go unnoticed by the Ministry of Information and Culture, explained Halemah, “as they compensated me with another signing day according to my schedule,” a day that went smoothly regardless of the presence of commission members who demanded that men and women stand in separate lines. The commission members, she said, “were hovering around me, just waiting for me to commit what they considered a sin.”
Arab News tried to obtain comments from the commission members; they said they would not speak to women who didn’t wear full-face veils.
RIYADH: Charms, tokens, enigmatic drawings and other items seized by the vice cops were displayed prominently in one of the largest booths at this year’s Riyadh International Book Fair. Instead of books, a television displayed how the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice reverses magical spells.
“What was in the commission’s booth showed clearly what they thought of the book fair and what they think of books,” one Saudi writer and intellectual told Arab News yesterday.
The book fair, which ends on Friday, has been marked with controversy once again — with liberal and literary minded people complaining of harassment by the commission. For their part, religious authorities have complained, not just about the mingling of men and women at the fair or how women are dressed, but also about how they claim their voices are being quelled by the visitors. Like last year, it was also often difficult to differentiate between official members of the commission and men who simply dress like them.
At one event featuring Saudi writer Abdu Khal, a man dressed in conservative Saudi attire (but with no identifying badge or other indication of legitimate authority) demanded that he be given the microphone.
“After 10 minutes of argument, we gave him the microphone whereupon he started an angry speech in which he accused the fair’s organizing committee of not giving equal opportunity to all,” said Abdu Khal.
An event dedicated to the literary work of Sudan’s Tayeb Salih descended into a debate over morals, interactions between men and women, and the relationship between Islam and literature in general.
The man asked Khal — a vocal critic of the commission — why prominent Saudi poets and literary people attacked conservative society by doing un-Islamic things: “Why can’t they be Muslim and literary at same time?” he asked the audience.
Many of those attending the event who had come to discuss literature and poetry confirmed the incident. Many expressed disapproval and narrated unpleasant incidents that took place at the fair.
“What happened will destroy the image of tolerance we have tried to maintain,” said Saudi writer and journalist Ruqaiyah Yaqub. “The fair respects all viewpoints and Islamic schools. However, some extremists took advantage of that and they took revenge as well.”
Yaqub, who wears a full veil, said that conservatives at the fair (it was impossible to tell if they were actual commission members or just conservatives) attacked her verbally for her tight-fitting abaya, demanding that she “thickly cover everything and wear decent clothes,” she added.
“It’s so ridiculous,” she scoffed. “I’m covering everything with my plain black Abaya and — I don’t know what they consider ‘decent’ — but I believe their main issue is the presence of women at the fair.”
Najet Mield, a representative of a French publishing house, said she was verbally harassed, too, for speaking to men who came to her booth to discuss the books her company sells.
“They questioned my respect for my religion by doing so, which is something they should be punished for doing,” she said angrily. “Women have sold products to men and vice versa since the time of the Prophet (pbuh). If these people knew history, they would know that.”
Mield said she’s a Dai’aa in France, which means she works to spread Islam. “I came a long the way to show my work and I came with an invitation from the Ministry (of Culture and Information),” she said.
After complaining to ministry officials at the fair, the government assigned Mield a minder by the name of Hassan Al-Ansary to accompany her to avoid future harassment.
In one of the more highly publicized incidents at the fair, Saudi writer Halemah Mozaffar was verbally accosted by men who identified themselves as commission members and accused her of immorality for not having her face covered and for signing books given to her by men — she had signed the books as the men had asked her to do so out of admiration for her work.
Halemah published the first academic book about Saudi theater this year. As the tradition of signing a book by the author was not unknown at previous book fairs in Riyadh, she arrived as arranged by the organizing committee. When she was preparing for her signing session, commission members and others were advising her to cover her face “even though it’s an issue where Islamic scholars have difference of opinion.”
“Still,” she added, “I thanked them for the advice and went on about my business, setting up the place where I would sign books.”
When men and women started to approach the stand, Halemah was stunned by the commission members sending away men and forming a human wall to prevent her from signing books for men or even talking to them.
“It was my surprise to find them waiting for me with a pre-intention to stop me from signing my book and even from talking to the crowd, among whom were my fellow writers and theater-specialist colleagues,” she said.
Even the women who wished to have a signed book, according to Halemah, were frightened away by the scene, as there were two commission members, five security guards and six soldiers present.
“The scene was humiliating, especially when some male writers who came to buy the book tried to get my signature on their copies, and were rudely pushed away.”
Halemah then signed the books she already had and tried to give them to some of her colleagues, but the commission members stood between them and ordered her to pass the book to the security guard, who would pass it on.
“His behavior with me was even more rude when I asked: ‘Isn’t the guard a man? Why is it acceptable for me to hand the book to a guard but not to the man who bought the book?’”
The worst happened, according to Halemah, when another prominent writer ‘thanked her after she signed his copy. “The commission member took him aside, scolding him for thanking me considering it an offense to address a woman even with a simple phrase such as ‘thank you,’” she added.
The two hours of continuous annoyance did not go unnoticed by the Ministry of Information and Culture, explained Halemah, “as they compensated me with another signing day according to my schedule,” a day that went smoothly regardless of the presence of commission members who demanded that men and women stand in separate lines. The commission members, she said, “were hovering around me, just waiting for me to commit what they considered a sin.”
Arab News tried to obtain comments from the commission members; they said they would not speak to women who didn’t wear full-face veils.
Kuwait: Dream for an equal role for women in society
By Sarah Alzouman, Staff writer Kuwait Times
KUWAIT: In honor of International Women's Day, Sout Al-Kuwait hosted a round table discussion about the role of women in Kuwaiti society which was attended by activists representing women in art, society, politics, sports and journalism.
Although the speakers and subject matter varied, the main message was that the dream for an equal role for women in society to benefit the entire nation required the cooperation of the entire nation to become a reality. "Women are assets to their nation socially, politically and in any field they participate in," stated Nabila Al-Anjeri, a former parliamentary candidate. Al-Anjeri said that this reality had unfortunately become lost among false claims that women's participation in politics contradicted moral or cultural values.
Dr Aseel Alawadhi, a professor at Kuwait University and former parliamentary candidate, added that a patriarchal society that excludes women from a number of spheres, including the political, is a major stumbling block on women's road to equality. "Women must have a role in politics simply by virtue of being citizens of Kuwait. Unfortunately, a male dominated culture leads to a crisis of confidence about the ability of women to participate in the political process, not only in the minds of men, but in the minds of women as well.
Alawadhi remained optimistic, however, that Kuwaiti women are more than capable of achieving their political goals. "Women's experience in politics is a very recent one, and I consider it extremely successful so far," she said. Alawadhi pointed to the results of the last elections, in which a number of female candidates, Alwadhi among them, put up very competitive numbers as evidence of the great advancements women had made in a short period of political participation.
The segregation of men and women in educational institutions was another issue criticized by both speakers and attendees. Suhaila Al-Najdi, an art professor at Kuwait University, was surprised that an exhibit of student art was subject to segregation, asking why a work of art created by a male student should not be exhibited by a female. The kind of attitude that would lead to such segregations damages the academic environment and ultimately the society as well, Al-Najdi declared.
Iman Al-Kout, Tae Kwon Do champion and instructor, said the path for Kuwaiti women athletes was an arduous one because they are disadvantaged in comparison to their international colleagues. Al-Kout said that women athletes who perform on the international level are supported by societies who respect and encourage sports excellence, something sorely lacking in Kuwait.
After the discussion, Alwadhi and Al-Anjeri spoke in more detail about their involvement in past elections and the challenges that are magnified in the case of women candidates, most notably securing funding for their campaigns and the very nature of campaigning in Kuwait. The social nature of campaigning was established in an exclusively male political environment with 25 constituencies. Now that there are five constituencies, the sheer size and number of voters makes the old model impracticable, especially for professional women who run for office, Al-Anjeri explained.
Despite these difficulties, Alawadhi said she was against changing the number of constituencies from five to ten and against the establishment of a quota system for women in parliament. The establishment of five constituencies is a parliamentary right, Alawadhi stated, passed under tremendous support of Kuwaiti citizens and she was against any unconstitutional change in the law.
Alawadhi also opposed the idea of a quota for women in Parliament, insisting that even if it is a long process, women would gain invaluable experience in the political process. "We cannot just change the Constitution and force the situation when we still have not seen the full results of women's political participation. Women should be given the chance to gain experience and establish themselves as politicians so that when women reach Parliament, they have proven their capabilities and earned people's trust and confidence.
KUWAIT: In honor of International Women's Day, Sout Al-Kuwait hosted a round table discussion about the role of women in Kuwaiti society which was attended by activists representing women in art, society, politics, sports and journalism.
Although the speakers and subject matter varied, the main message was that the dream for an equal role for women in society to benefit the entire nation required the cooperation of the entire nation to become a reality. "Women are assets to their nation socially, politically and in any field they participate in," stated Nabila Al-Anjeri, a former parliamentary candidate. Al-Anjeri said that this reality had unfortunately become lost among false claims that women's participation in politics contradicted moral or cultural values.
Dr Aseel Alawadhi, a professor at Kuwait University and former parliamentary candidate, added that a patriarchal society that excludes women from a number of spheres, including the political, is a major stumbling block on women's road to equality. "Women must have a role in politics simply by virtue of being citizens of Kuwait. Unfortunately, a male dominated culture leads to a crisis of confidence about the ability of women to participate in the political process, not only in the minds of men, but in the minds of women as well.
Alawadhi remained optimistic, however, that Kuwaiti women are more than capable of achieving their political goals. "Women's experience in politics is a very recent one, and I consider it extremely successful so far," she said. Alawadhi pointed to the results of the last elections, in which a number of female candidates, Alwadhi among them, put up very competitive numbers as evidence of the great advancements women had made in a short period of political participation.
The segregation of men and women in educational institutions was another issue criticized by both speakers and attendees. Suhaila Al-Najdi, an art professor at Kuwait University, was surprised that an exhibit of student art was subject to segregation, asking why a work of art created by a male student should not be exhibited by a female. The kind of attitude that would lead to such segregations damages the academic environment and ultimately the society as well, Al-Najdi declared.
Iman Al-Kout, Tae Kwon Do champion and instructor, said the path for Kuwaiti women athletes was an arduous one because they are disadvantaged in comparison to their international colleagues. Al-Kout said that women athletes who perform on the international level are supported by societies who respect and encourage sports excellence, something sorely lacking in Kuwait.
After the discussion, Alwadhi and Al-Anjeri spoke in more detail about their involvement in past elections and the challenges that are magnified in the case of women candidates, most notably securing funding for their campaigns and the very nature of campaigning in Kuwait. The social nature of campaigning was established in an exclusively male political environment with 25 constituencies. Now that there are five constituencies, the sheer size and number of voters makes the old model impracticable, especially for professional women who run for office, Al-Anjeri explained.
Despite these difficulties, Alawadhi said she was against changing the number of constituencies from five to ten and against the establishment of a quota system for women in parliament. The establishment of five constituencies is a parliamentary right, Alawadhi stated, passed under tremendous support of Kuwaiti citizens and she was against any unconstitutional change in the law.
Alawadhi also opposed the idea of a quota for women in Parliament, insisting that even if it is a long process, women would gain invaluable experience in the political process. "We cannot just change the Constitution and force the situation when we still have not seen the full results of women's political participation. Women should be given the chance to gain experience and establish themselves as politicians so that when women reach Parliament, they have proven their capabilities and earned people's trust and confidence.
Bahrain: Tough laws urged to protect women
NINETY-ONE per cent of Bahraini mothers filing for divorce have been physically abused by their husbands, a survey has revealed.
According to the study, 2,165 women out of 2,391 surveyed had been abused after bearing children, while after marriage and before pregnancy it was 152 (6pc) and during the engagement period it was 74 (3pc).
Bahrain Women's Union president Mariam Al Ruwaie said the survey showed there was a strong link between violence against women and personal status.
She called upon the authorities of Bahrain to toughen up the country's laws against those who commit violence against women.
The rights activist pointed out that article 353 of Bahrain's penal code stipulated that whoever raped or had illegitimate sex with a woman would not be punished if the situation was corrected by marriage.
However, she said, such laws allowed abusers to get away with their crimes.
"There is an urgent need to find a legal platform that criminalises abuse," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
"We need to pass a protection against family violence law that has already been presented to parliament, and we need to amend the penal code for stricter punishments."
The survey was conducted by the union at 13 family council centres and law offices in Bahrain.
It revealed that violence against women was ethically and socially acceptable.
It found that in 623 (19pc) cases recorded at the centres and law offices, the wife continued to suffer without getting a divorce while her case remained in the court.
The survey revealed that in such cases 40pc dragged on for less than a year, 32pc for five to eight years, and 2pc for eight to 10 years.
Out of 247 cases filed, 110 (45pc) women were still waiting for a divorce after a year or less. While 102 women (41pc) were still waiting for a divorce after one to three years, and 10 (4pc) after eight to 10 years.
The main reason women asked to be separated from their husbands was in 27pc of cases due to his immoral behaviour.
While in 23pc of cases it was because the husband failed to take proper financial responsibility for his wife and children.
Other reasons were that the woman's husband was psychologically ill or had abandoned her.
Ms Al Ruwaie presented the results of the survey at the United Nations celebration to mark International Women's Day.
The event was held at the Cultural Hall, near the Bahrain National Museum, yesterday and was attended by government officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media.
Ms Al Ruwaie applauded the co-operation and co-ordination of the government and NGOs on the issue of combating domestic violence.
She said recent steps in this direction included the creation of a committee for domestic violence against women at the Health Ministry, as well as a training programme for the police and Public Prosecution on how to deal with victims of abuse.
Another positive step, she noted, was the Dar Al Aman shelter, which had been established by the Social Development Ministry and was now being run by the Bahrain Sociologists Society.
"However, all these steps are still modest and don't meet the requirements for the escalating problem of violence against women," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
Meanwhile, Ms Al Ruwaie said steps are also needed to protect housemaids from domestic violence.
She said according to 2001 figures (the latest available), there were 29,583 domestic helpers in Bahrain of which 21,291 were women. However, more up to date data on domestic helpers was needed, she said.
"In Bahrain there is a lack of societies or organisations that work for the rights of domestic workers and there are no statistics on abuse cases towards them that have gone to court," she added.
-- Gulf Daily News By REBECCA TORR
According to the study, 2,165 women out of 2,391 surveyed had been abused after bearing children, while after marriage and before pregnancy it was 152 (6pc) and during the engagement period it was 74 (3pc).
Bahrain Women's Union president Mariam Al Ruwaie said the survey showed there was a strong link between violence against women and personal status.
She called upon the authorities of Bahrain to toughen up the country's laws against those who commit violence against women.
The rights activist pointed out that article 353 of Bahrain's penal code stipulated that whoever raped or had illegitimate sex with a woman would not be punished if the situation was corrected by marriage.
However, she said, such laws allowed abusers to get away with their crimes.
"There is an urgent need to find a legal platform that criminalises abuse," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
"We need to pass a protection against family violence law that has already been presented to parliament, and we need to amend the penal code for stricter punishments."
The survey was conducted by the union at 13 family council centres and law offices in Bahrain.
It revealed that violence against women was ethically and socially acceptable.
It found that in 623 (19pc) cases recorded at the centres and law offices, the wife continued to suffer without getting a divorce while her case remained in the court.
The survey revealed that in such cases 40pc dragged on for less than a year, 32pc for five to eight years, and 2pc for eight to 10 years.
Out of 247 cases filed, 110 (45pc) women were still waiting for a divorce after a year or less. While 102 women (41pc) were still waiting for a divorce after one to three years, and 10 (4pc) after eight to 10 years.
The main reason women asked to be separated from their husbands was in 27pc of cases due to his immoral behaviour.
While in 23pc of cases it was because the husband failed to take proper financial responsibility for his wife and children.
Other reasons were that the woman's husband was psychologically ill or had abandoned her.
Ms Al Ruwaie presented the results of the survey at the United Nations celebration to mark International Women's Day.
The event was held at the Cultural Hall, near the Bahrain National Museum, yesterday and was attended by government officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media.
Ms Al Ruwaie applauded the co-operation and co-ordination of the government and NGOs on the issue of combating domestic violence.
She said recent steps in this direction included the creation of a committee for domestic violence against women at the Health Ministry, as well as a training programme for the police and Public Prosecution on how to deal with victims of abuse.
Another positive step, she noted, was the Dar Al Aman shelter, which had been established by the Social Development Ministry and was now being run by the Bahrain Sociologists Society.
"However, all these steps are still modest and don't meet the requirements for the escalating problem of violence against women," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
Meanwhile, Ms Al Ruwaie said steps are also needed to protect housemaids from domestic violence.
She said according to 2001 figures (the latest available), there were 29,583 domestic helpers in Bahrain of which 21,291 were women. However, more up to date data on domestic helpers was needed, she said.
"In Bahrain there is a lack of societies or organisations that work for the rights of domestic workers and there are no statistics on abuse cases towards them that have gone to court," she added.
-- Gulf Daily News By REBECCA TORR
Jordan: Six women win seats in engineers association division councils
AMMAN - The Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) has announced the results of elections for its division councils, with six women out of nine who competed for the posts winning seats.
The polls were held on Wednesday and Friday last week, in the JEA’s Amman, Irbid, Karak, Zarqa and Aqaba branches, where 113 members competed for seats in the six seven-member division councils, according to an official JEA statement sent to The Jordan Times on Monday.
The divisions include architectural, mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical and mining engineers, JEA Vice President Abdullah Obeidat said, stressing that the polls went smoothly.
He noted that a total of 184 division members competed for 77 spots in the 500-member JEA general assembly, the association’s highest authority which approves policies and finances.
Council members will be eligible to compete for seats in the JEA council, according to the association's bylaws.
The JEA, the largest association in the Kingdom with more than 70,000 members, heads into elections, slated for early April, against the backdrop of the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza and difficult economic conditions, which are expected to dominate campaigns.
Campaigning has already become heated and the association’s Islamist-led leadership recently threatened to take rivals from the leftist camp to court for “slander”.
Both pro-Islamists and their leftist rivals have traded accusations in the media in recent weeks over internal issues and financial policies.
Similar elections are expected to take place in the coming few months for some 12 other professional associations.
-- The Jordan Times, By Mohammad Ben Hussein
The polls were held on Wednesday and Friday last week, in the JEA’s Amman, Irbid, Karak, Zarqa and Aqaba branches, where 113 members competed for seats in the six seven-member division councils, according to an official JEA statement sent to The Jordan Times on Monday.
The divisions include architectural, mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical and mining engineers, JEA Vice President Abdullah Obeidat said, stressing that the polls went smoothly.
He noted that a total of 184 division members competed for 77 spots in the 500-member JEA general assembly, the association’s highest authority which approves policies and finances.
Council members will be eligible to compete for seats in the JEA council, according to the association's bylaws.
The JEA, the largest association in the Kingdom with more than 70,000 members, heads into elections, slated for early April, against the backdrop of the recent Israeli offensive in Gaza and difficult economic conditions, which are expected to dominate campaigns.
Campaigning has already become heated and the association’s Islamist-led leadership recently threatened to take rivals from the leftist camp to court for “slander”.
Both pro-Islamists and their leftist rivals have traded accusations in the media in recent weeks over internal issues and financial policies.
Similar elections are expected to take place in the coming few months for some 12 other professional associations.
-- The Jordan Times, By Mohammad Ben Hussein
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Yemen: Over 2800 Yemeni girls join security forces
Recently published statistics have revealed that over 2,800 Yemeni girls have joined the country’s security forces, and the Ministry of the Interior has stated that the entry of women represents a massive gain for security forces.
During the opening of the Yemeni Women’s Conference, the Prime Minister said that the government is determined to ensure the empowerment of women in the political, economic, social and cultural fields because the government is aware of its humanitarian role and responsibilities. He called for increasing female political empowerment by increasing the number of female ministers, deputy-ministers, assistant-deputy ministers, executive general-directors and increasing their enrolment in the police forces. Mujawar also pointed to the governments’ advocacy of women’s issues, adding that there are also 76 female judges, and 414 female managers and technicians.
In a related issue, General Hussein al-Zozai, the Vice-Minister of the Interior, described the admission of woman to the country’s police forces as a massive gain in the ongoing communal security process.
The statement came on the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, in which Zozai indicated that the skills of Yemeni police women are equal to those of men, adding that women are now found in all security fields, including counter-terrorism.
PM Mujawar also revealed the governments’ latest literacy figures which have seen a decrease in the number of illiterate women, from 76.3 percent in 1994 to 60 percent presently, in addition to the increase in the number of girls entering basic education. The percentage of girls in primary education now represents one third of the total number of children in school, while the proportion of girls in universities has increased to 28 percent.
Mujawar stated that the government has approved the implementation of the recommendations made by the International Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in addition to approving a number of amendments supporting women’s rights.
He confirmed the government’s obligation towards recommendations made by the “Saido” Committee and expressed his hope that international technical support groups and organizations working in Yemen would donate money for the implementation of these recommendations. There is a need for joint efforts to achieve progress in these areas as part of the Millennium Development Goals.
During the opening of the Yemeni Women’s Conference, the Prime Minister said that the government is determined to ensure the empowerment of women in the political, economic, social and cultural fields because the government is aware of its humanitarian role and responsibilities. He called for increasing female political empowerment by increasing the number of female ministers, deputy-ministers, assistant-deputy ministers, executive general-directors and increasing their enrolment in the police forces. Mujawar also pointed to the governments’ advocacy of women’s issues, adding that there are also 76 female judges, and 414 female managers and technicians.
In a related issue, General Hussein al-Zozai, the Vice-Minister of the Interior, described the admission of woman to the country’s police forces as a massive gain in the ongoing communal security process.
The statement came on the occasion of the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, in which Zozai indicated that the skills of Yemeni police women are equal to those of men, adding that women are now found in all security fields, including counter-terrorism.
PM Mujawar also revealed the governments’ latest literacy figures which have seen a decrease in the number of illiterate women, from 76.3 percent in 1994 to 60 percent presently, in addition to the increase in the number of girls entering basic education. The percentage of girls in primary education now represents one third of the total number of children in school, while the proportion of girls in universities has increased to 28 percent.
Mujawar stated that the government has approved the implementation of the recommendations made by the International Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in addition to approving a number of amendments supporting women’s rights.
He confirmed the government’s obligation towards recommendations made by the “Saido” Committee and expressed his hope that international technical support groups and organizations working in Yemen would donate money for the implementation of these recommendations. There is a need for joint efforts to achieve progress in these areas as part of the Millennium Development Goals.
Qatar: Most Qatari women are Net savvy, reveals study
By Bonnie James, Gulf Times
Dr Azmi and Dr al-Issi at the session announcing the study findings
A majority of Qatari women, especially those in the 20 to 30 age group, are Net savvy, with a good number browsing the web one hour daily, a latest study has revealed.
“More than 68% of Qatari women use the internet,” Qatar University’s Information Science Programme co-ordinator Dr Hisham Azmi, who conducted the study, said.
Sponsored by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), the exercise covered a total of 1,618 respondents, including 1,328 in the 20 to 30 age group.
“As many as 65% of the study participants use the I nternet more than four to six hours per week,” said Dr Azmi while presenting the findings.
While 63.7% Qatari women spend a hour daily in cyberspace, 2.2% were immersed in web browsing for up to seven hours a day.
Asked whether they visit chat rooms, 68.8% replied in the negative. It was observed that chat room regulars were those under 20 years.
Among the respondents, 53% have had no formal training on how to use the Internet, 55.7% were exploring the web from home, and 24.3% did so at educational institutions.
“If 79.9% used the Internet for personal purposes, 60.6% utilised the service for e-mail, and 21% visited websites,” Dr Azmi pointed out.
The e-government services were being used by 48.7% of Qatari women and 40.4% were eager to benefit from e-shopping services.
About 22% of the participants of the survey had established web pages on their own or for their work places, and 63% relied on search engines to source information.
The dominant perception of the Internet in general is positive, with 83.8% of Qatari women believing that more efforts have to be made to benefit from the Internet.“More than 95% consider the internet as a main source to gather information and about 90% believe in the necessity of censorship,” Dr Azmi pointed out.
The study recommended enriching and broadening the use of the Internet in the education process, and to improve the skills of Qatari women - whether they are IT- or English language-related, so that they can get the most benefit from the Internet.
The results of the study were presented at a session chaired by QU’s professor of sociology and SCFA’s Women’s Issues Committee chair Dr Juhaina al-Issi.
Dr Azmi and Dr al-Issi at the session announcing the study findings
A majority of Qatari women, especially those in the 20 to 30 age group, are Net savvy, with a good number browsing the web one hour daily, a latest study has revealed.
“More than 68% of Qatari women use the internet,” Qatar University’s Information Science Programme co-ordinator Dr Hisham Azmi, who conducted the study, said.
Sponsored by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), the exercise covered a total of 1,618 respondents, including 1,328 in the 20 to 30 age group.
“As many as 65% of the study participants use the I nternet more than four to six hours per week,” said Dr Azmi while presenting the findings.
While 63.7% Qatari women spend a hour daily in cyberspace, 2.2% were immersed in web browsing for up to seven hours a day.
Asked whether they visit chat rooms, 68.8% replied in the negative. It was observed that chat room regulars were those under 20 years.
Among the respondents, 53% have had no formal training on how to use the Internet, 55.7% were exploring the web from home, and 24.3% did so at educational institutions.
“If 79.9% used the Internet for personal purposes, 60.6% utilised the service for e-mail, and 21% visited websites,” Dr Azmi pointed out.
The e-government services were being used by 48.7% of Qatari women and 40.4% were eager to benefit from e-shopping services.
About 22% of the participants of the survey had established web pages on their own or for their work places, and 63% relied on search engines to source information.
The dominant perception of the Internet in general is positive, with 83.8% of Qatari women believing that more efforts have to be made to benefit from the Internet.“More than 95% consider the internet as a main source to gather information and about 90% believe in the necessity of censorship,” Dr Azmi pointed out.
The study recommended enriching and broadening the use of the Internet in the education process, and to improve the skills of Qatari women - whether they are IT- or English language-related, so that they can get the most benefit from the Internet.
The results of the study were presented at a session chaired by QU’s professor of sociology and SCFA’s Women’s Issues Committee chair Dr Juhaina al-Issi.
Saudi Arabia: Women find opportunities at job fair but skills matter
Fatima Sidiya, Arab News
JEDDAH: The four-day Saudi Labor Market Exhibition organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, the Human Resources Fund and M.I.C.E. Arabia Group kicked off at Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center on Sunday. The job fair offered a chance to Saudi applicants to promote themselves and network with potential employers.
Over 100 companies are participating in this event and the visitors are expected to be as high as 10,000.
A number of training institutions and centers provided the opportunity for job seekers to get training courses to improve their skills and qualifications.
The CEO of the Council for Human Resources Development at the JCCI, Muhammad Al-Harbi, said this exhibition would be different from any other national effort for employment since it would provide information for people looking for jobs besides introducing them to local companies.
Elie Rizk, the CEO of M.I.C.E Arabia Group, said his company was focusing on giving any Saudi the chance to choose from various available career options.
“Saudis are talented and what they need is the right orientation,” he said.
According to Rizk, at this time they should be introduced to the market needs and thus encouraged to pursue studies in fields that would guarantee them jobs.
The exhibition has a handicap access to help disabled people make use of this opportunity. It also included a number of booths that cater exclusively to people with special needs.
Various types of jobs were presented at the exhibition. The most sought-after jobs were in administration. Women had many chances for employment in well-known companies. Jobs for women included office work, marketing, banking, sales, medicine, architecture, engineering and media among many others.
Amani Abu Al-Naja, a recruitment specialist at the Human Resources Development Fund, said many women sought accountant jobs but had English and computer skills as obstacles.
Nour Abu Gazala, a human resources coordinator at Al-Baik restaurant chain, said they offered production and managerial jobs for women. Though women are not yet allowed to drive, they are offered sales and marketing jobs at car companies, said Rasha Al-Kaaki from Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd.
Noticeably absent were the persons manning the booth of the Labor Office. People were seen pulling out application forms from under the Labor Office table because there was nobody there. One Saudi job seeker at the scene expressed his frustration and accused the Labor Office of being irresponsible at a time private sector companies were doing their best.
JEDDAH: The four-day Saudi Labor Market Exhibition organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, the Human Resources Fund and M.I.C.E. Arabia Group kicked off at Jeddah International Exhibition and Convention Center on Sunday. The job fair offered a chance to Saudi applicants to promote themselves and network with potential employers.
Over 100 companies are participating in this event and the visitors are expected to be as high as 10,000.
A number of training institutions and centers provided the opportunity for job seekers to get training courses to improve their skills and qualifications.
The CEO of the Council for Human Resources Development at the JCCI, Muhammad Al-Harbi, said this exhibition would be different from any other national effort for employment since it would provide information for people looking for jobs besides introducing them to local companies.
Elie Rizk, the CEO of M.I.C.E Arabia Group, said his company was focusing on giving any Saudi the chance to choose from various available career options.
“Saudis are talented and what they need is the right orientation,” he said.
According to Rizk, at this time they should be introduced to the market needs and thus encouraged to pursue studies in fields that would guarantee them jobs.
The exhibition has a handicap access to help disabled people make use of this opportunity. It also included a number of booths that cater exclusively to people with special needs.
Various types of jobs were presented at the exhibition. The most sought-after jobs were in administration. Women had many chances for employment in well-known companies. Jobs for women included office work, marketing, banking, sales, medicine, architecture, engineering and media among many others.
Amani Abu Al-Naja, a recruitment specialist at the Human Resources Development Fund, said many women sought accountant jobs but had English and computer skills as obstacles.
Nour Abu Gazala, a human resources coordinator at Al-Baik restaurant chain, said they offered production and managerial jobs for women. Though women are not yet allowed to drive, they are offered sales and marketing jobs at car companies, said Rasha Al-Kaaki from Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd.
Noticeably absent were the persons manning the booth of the Labor Office. People were seen pulling out application forms from under the Labor Office table because there was nobody there. One Saudi job seeker at the scene expressed his frustration and accused the Labor Office of being irresponsible at a time private sector companies were doing their best.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Algeria: Steps to Increase Elected Women Parliamentarians
ElAnnabi
The president heard yesterday the Minister of Justice to set up a commission to propose a draft organic law implementing the constitutional principles in favor of greater participation of women in elected assemblies in Algeria.
"J'instruis Minister of Justice to establish a commission like the one who worked on the amendments of the Family Code and whose mission will be to propose a draft organic law implementing the constitutional principles for greater participation of women in elected assemblies," said the President in his speech at a ceremony in honor of the Algerian woman, on the occasion of International Day of women.
The President has also decided to continue its policy to appoint women in positions that were previously dominated by men, like the positions Wali, Ambassador, university rector, president of court and member of the government. "I decided to deepen and continue the policy to appoint women in positions that were previously dominated by men, like the positions Wali, Ambassador, university rector, President of Court of Justice and member of the government, "said the head of state.
Moreover, President Bouteflika said he instructed the government to reserve a significant number of central positions of director and chairman of public women candidates who wish to access.
For President Bouteflika, the project remains "dependent" of the country's overall development because, he said, "anything that stimulates the fight against poverty, exclusion and illiteracy inevitably improves the status of women." He said in this regard, it is "difficult to advance women's access to positions parallel decisions without emphasizing that the responsibility of children and family obligations incumbent on them often, if not exclusively".
The Head of State has estimated that women are "not absent" in the political field and their presence in the political response to "a democratic necessity", since the latter, he said, make up half of the Algerian population and represent a "significant educational value." He added that the presence of women in government and Parliament would undoubtedly be strengthened, as he noted that women still occupy a place "too limited, especially for office.
The president noted, moreover, the role of women's associations, trade unions, political parties for the strengthening and modernization of political life, highlighting the role of "determinant" of the political in this sense. He believes, therefore, that it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that the woman "is still ranked at the end of the lists", adding that "it is the will and the sincerity of political parties to encourage female candidates to positions that eligibility depends largely on the political participation of women. "
The Head of State also claims that the constitutional revision is a "great achievement" that must be "value", stressing that this achievement "requires continued work to improve the balance between man and Women ".
The Head of State emphasized that the latest legal sites available for the promotion of women's rights are "an achievement of size" it is important to emphasize. The latest legal sites, open "in order to restore the Algerians in their rights," particularly with regard to revision of the Family Code, the Nationality Code and the Constitution, are "an achievement of that size is important stressed, "said President Bouteflika.
He nevertheless stressed that the issues that affect the advancement of women are often "delicate and loaded with passion, the subject of endless controversy, preconceived ideas and prejudices unfounded." For him, the determination and courage shown by the Algerians to protect their rights "are no longer in doubt" and changing attitudes due to education and learning, "plays a decisive role in defend these rights. "
"Changing attitudes is crucial to the advancement of women and each gesture, who participates in this evolution should be welcomed, further stressed the President of the Republic, who noted that legal equality must be of effective equality "only likely to grant him an irreversible character."
The president heard yesterday the Minister of Justice to set up a commission to propose a draft organic law implementing the constitutional principles in favor of greater participation of women in elected assemblies in Algeria.
"J'instruis Minister of Justice to establish a commission like the one who worked on the amendments of the Family Code and whose mission will be to propose a draft organic law implementing the constitutional principles for greater participation of women in elected assemblies," said the President in his speech at a ceremony in honor of the Algerian woman, on the occasion of International Day of women.
The President has also decided to continue its policy to appoint women in positions that were previously dominated by men, like the positions Wali, Ambassador, university rector, president of court and member of the government. "I decided to deepen and continue the policy to appoint women in positions that were previously dominated by men, like the positions Wali, Ambassador, university rector, President of Court of Justice and member of the government, "said the head of state.
Moreover, President Bouteflika said he instructed the government to reserve a significant number of central positions of director and chairman of public women candidates who wish to access.
For President Bouteflika, the project remains "dependent" of the country's overall development because, he said, "anything that stimulates the fight against poverty, exclusion and illiteracy inevitably improves the status of women." He said in this regard, it is "difficult to advance women's access to positions parallel decisions without emphasizing that the responsibility of children and family obligations incumbent on them often, if not exclusively".
The Head of State has estimated that women are "not absent" in the political field and their presence in the political response to "a democratic necessity", since the latter, he said, make up half of the Algerian population and represent a "significant educational value." He added that the presence of women in government and Parliament would undoubtedly be strengthened, as he noted that women still occupy a place "too limited, especially for office.
The president noted, moreover, the role of women's associations, trade unions, political parties for the strengthening and modernization of political life, highlighting the role of "determinant" of the political in this sense. He believes, therefore, that it was "inconceivable and unacceptable" that the woman "is still ranked at the end of the lists", adding that "it is the will and the sincerity of political parties to encourage female candidates to positions that eligibility depends largely on the political participation of women. "
The Head of State also claims that the constitutional revision is a "great achievement" that must be "value", stressing that this achievement "requires continued work to improve the balance between man and Women ".
The Head of State emphasized that the latest legal sites available for the promotion of women's rights are "an achievement of size" it is important to emphasize. The latest legal sites, open "in order to restore the Algerians in their rights," particularly with regard to revision of the Family Code, the Nationality Code and the Constitution, are "an achievement of that size is important stressed, "said President Bouteflika.
He nevertheless stressed that the issues that affect the advancement of women are often "delicate and loaded with passion, the subject of endless controversy, preconceived ideas and prejudices unfounded." For him, the determination and courage shown by the Algerians to protect their rights "are no longer in doubt" and changing attitudes due to education and learning, "plays a decisive role in defend these rights. "
"Changing attitudes is crucial to the advancement of women and each gesture, who participates in this evolution should be welcomed, further stressed the President of the Republic, who noted that legal equality must be of effective equality "only likely to grant him an irreversible character."
Yemen: GPC tops political parties in terms of woman participation level
Almotamar.net - A government report revealed that the General People’s Congress GPC ruling party in Yemen tops the list of political parties and organisations in terms of the volume and level of women participation in the leading bodies of parties at a rate of 20%, next to it the Yemen Socialist Party by 14%, the Unionist Nasserite Organization by 7% then the Yemeni Congregation for Reform Islah by 4%.
The report on assessment of the level of carrying out the Woman Development Strategy and the 3rd five year plan, presented at the 4th national Conference of the Woman that concluded in Sana’a Sunday, clarified that the GPC scored the first place by 33% with regard to the woman presence in the leading positions of political parties and organisations.
The report also affirmed the increase in the proportion of women working at decision-making positions, the cabinet, undersecretaries and assistant undersecretaries, directors generals, judges and local councils from 0.57% in 2005 to 1.9% in 2006 and the increase of the proportion of women in the leading bodies of political parties from 6.8% to 9.9% for the same period.
According to Al-Mithaq newspaper in its today’s issue the woman participation is still very limited especially in the higher positions.
-- Al-Motamar.net
The report on assessment of the level of carrying out the Woman Development Strategy and the 3rd five year plan, presented at the 4th national Conference of the Woman that concluded in Sana’a Sunday, clarified that the GPC scored the first place by 33% with regard to the woman presence in the leading positions of political parties and organisations.
The report also affirmed the increase in the proportion of women working at decision-making positions, the cabinet, undersecretaries and assistant undersecretaries, directors generals, judges and local councils from 0.57% in 2005 to 1.9% in 2006 and the increase of the proportion of women in the leading bodies of political parties from 6.8% to 9.9% for the same period.
According to Al-Mithaq newspaper in its today’s issue the woman participation is still very limited especially in the higher positions.
-- Al-Motamar.net
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: International Women's Day
Secretary Clinton's International Women's Day 2009 comments:
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2009, I am proud to honor women around the world who are blazing trails and surmounting obstacles in pursuit of equality and opportunity. Although you may not know their names or recognize their faces, these women advocates are hard at work in every country and on every continent, seeking to fulfill their right to participate fully in the political, economic and cultural lives of their societies. Often working against great odds and at great personal sacrifice, they are a key to global progress in this new century and deserve our admiration and support.
Put simply, we have much less hope of addressing the complex challenges we face in this new century without the full participation of women. Whether the economic crisis, the spread of terrorism, regional conflicts that threaten families and communities, and climate change and the dangers it presents to the world’s health and security, we will not solve these challenges through half measures. Yet too often, on these issues and many more, half the world is left behind.
This is not simply a matter of emotion or altruism. A growing body of research tells us that supporting women is a high-yield investment, resulting in stronger economies, more vibrant civil societies, healthier communities, and greater peace and stability. But even so, no nation in the world has yet achieved full equality for women.
Women still comprise the majority of the world’s poor, unfed, and unschooled. Hundreds of thousands of women die in childbirth every year. They are subjected to rape as a tactic of war and exploited by traffickers globally in a billion dollar criminal business. Laws are still on the books denying women the right to own property, access credit, or make their own choices within their marriage. And honor killings, maiming, female genital mutilation, and other violent and degrading practices that target women are tolerated in too many places today.
Like all people, women deserve to live free from violence and fear. To create peaceful, thriving communities, women must be equal partners. That means making key resources available to women as well as men, including the chance to work for fair wages and have access to credit; to vote, petition their governments and run for office; to know they can get healthcare when they need it, including family planning; and to send their children to school—their sons and their daughters.
Women also have a crucial role to play in establishing peace worldwide. In regions torn apart by war, it is often the women who find ways to reach across differences and discover common ground as mothers, caretakers, and grassroots advocates. One need only look to Northern Ireland, Rwanda, the Balkans, and parts of Central America to see the impact of women working in their communities to bridge divides in areas of sectarian conflict.
This week, as we celebrate the accomplishments and the untapped potential of women around the world, we must remind ourselves that ensuring the rights of women and girls is not only a matter of justice. It is a matter of enhancing global peace, progress, and prosperity for generations to come.
When women are afforded their basic rights, they flourish. And so do their children, families, communities, and nations.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2009, I am proud to honor women around the world who are blazing trails and surmounting obstacles in pursuit of equality and opportunity. Although you may not know their names or recognize their faces, these women advocates are hard at work in every country and on every continent, seeking to fulfill their right to participate fully in the political, economic and cultural lives of their societies. Often working against great odds and at great personal sacrifice, they are a key to global progress in this new century and deserve our admiration and support.
Put simply, we have much less hope of addressing the complex challenges we face in this new century without the full participation of women. Whether the economic crisis, the spread of terrorism, regional conflicts that threaten families and communities, and climate change and the dangers it presents to the world’s health and security, we will not solve these challenges through half measures. Yet too often, on these issues and many more, half the world is left behind.
This is not simply a matter of emotion or altruism. A growing body of research tells us that supporting women is a high-yield investment, resulting in stronger economies, more vibrant civil societies, healthier communities, and greater peace and stability. But even so, no nation in the world has yet achieved full equality for women.
Women still comprise the majority of the world’s poor, unfed, and unschooled. Hundreds of thousands of women die in childbirth every year. They are subjected to rape as a tactic of war and exploited by traffickers globally in a billion dollar criminal business. Laws are still on the books denying women the right to own property, access credit, or make their own choices within their marriage. And honor killings, maiming, female genital mutilation, and other violent and degrading practices that target women are tolerated in too many places today.
Like all people, women deserve to live free from violence and fear. To create peaceful, thriving communities, women must be equal partners. That means making key resources available to women as well as men, including the chance to work for fair wages and have access to credit; to vote, petition their governments and run for office; to know they can get healthcare when they need it, including family planning; and to send their children to school—their sons and their daughters.
Women also have a crucial role to play in establishing peace worldwide. In regions torn apart by war, it is often the women who find ways to reach across differences and discover common ground as mothers, caretakers, and grassroots advocates. One need only look to Northern Ireland, Rwanda, the Balkans, and parts of Central America to see the impact of women working in their communities to bridge divides in areas of sectarian conflict.
This week, as we celebrate the accomplishments and the untapped potential of women around the world, we must remind ourselves that ensuring the rights of women and girls is not only a matter of justice. It is a matter of enhancing global peace, progress, and prosperity for generations to come.
When women are afforded their basic rights, they flourish. And so do their children, families, communities, and nations.
Bahrain: Law soon to outlaw violence against women
Khaleej Times
Violence against women will be considered a punishable crime under a law being drafted by a non-governmental organisation.
An announcement in this respect was made by Al Hawar ‘Dialogue’ Society as part of its celebrations of the International Women’s Day.
“The law, being drafted in association with lawmakers, recommends tough punishments for those found guilty of abusing women,” Chairman of the society, Sayed Adnan Jalal, told Khaleej Times. “We would also review international laws concerned as well as similar experiences in the neighbouring countries.”
Jalal said that many lawmakers had welcomed a plan for women’s well-being, especially steps to protect their psychological health.
“We think the law would help raise awareness about the violence against women, especially after a recent survey shows that 35 per cent of people feel that women provoke others to abuse them, while 29 per cent believe that in some cases women promote violence against them.”
Jalal said the increasing violence against women should be tackled by NGOs and other bodies concerned, especially by promoting the laws that could prevent men from causing any physical harm to women.
He stressed the need for the implementation of the family law and an amendment to the penal code to outlaw violence against females.
He attributed the increase in violence against women to the ongoing economic meltdown, saying the crisis is affecting the stability of families.
Violence against women will be considered a punishable crime under a law being drafted by a non-governmental organisation.
An announcement in this respect was made by Al Hawar ‘Dialogue’ Society as part of its celebrations of the International Women’s Day.
“The law, being drafted in association with lawmakers, recommends tough punishments for those found guilty of abusing women,” Chairman of the society, Sayed Adnan Jalal, told Khaleej Times. “We would also review international laws concerned as well as similar experiences in the neighbouring countries.”
Jalal said that many lawmakers had welcomed a plan for women’s well-being, especially steps to protect their psychological health.
“We think the law would help raise awareness about the violence against women, especially after a recent survey shows that 35 per cent of people feel that women provoke others to abuse them, while 29 per cent believe that in some cases women promote violence against them.”
Jalal said the increasing violence against women should be tackled by NGOs and other bodies concerned, especially by promoting the laws that could prevent men from causing any physical harm to women.
He stressed the need for the implementation of the family law and an amendment to the penal code to outlaw violence against females.
He attributed the increase in violence against women to the ongoing economic meltdown, saying the crisis is affecting the stability of families.
Algeria: Associations: Family Code Aggravates Violence
Six Algerian associations came together Sunday in a community that has adopted a charter denouncing violence against women and promoting the struggle for “equal civil laws in all areas,” in the text sent to the press.
The charter of the Algerian associations against violence practised on women said that the inferiority of women institutionalized by the Family Code aggravates violence.
In addition, the education system leads to “alienation of society and women in particular” and “reproduce, often by the latter, backward social patterns”.
The violence can be “institutional, by the Family Code” or “physical, psychological, political, sexual and economic”, within the “family, society and workplace,” says the charter.
It lists “beatings, sexual abuse, confinement, forced marriages, psychological harassment, economic violence and sexual harassment at work and in schools.” It denounced the employment of little girls “no, or little, paid girls” called “trafficking”.
The associations call to fight for the adoption of egalitarian civil laws in all areas, an improvement of the criminal code regarding sexual harassment at work or the assumption by the state for victims of violence.
The charter also requires “the lifting of all reservations to international treaties and conventions against discrimination against women.”
The six associations: SOS Women in Distress, the Network Wassila, the women of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Djazaïrouna, Tharwa n'fatma N'soumer Women and the Committee of the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) finally put in place procedures to work to make a real difference in society.
Adopted in 1984 and amended in 2005, the Family Code is often denounced by associations as being below the Constitution, which proclaims equality of each and all. The woman needs, for example, to marry, the presence of a tutor, from or out of her family.
Ennahar online/ M. O.
The charter of the Algerian associations against violence practised on women said that the inferiority of women institutionalized by the Family Code aggravates violence.
In addition, the education system leads to “alienation of society and women in particular” and “reproduce, often by the latter, backward social patterns”.
The violence can be “institutional, by the Family Code” or “physical, psychological, political, sexual and economic”, within the “family, society and workplace,” says the charter.
It lists “beatings, sexual abuse, confinement, forced marriages, psychological harassment, economic violence and sexual harassment at work and in schools.” It denounced the employment of little girls “no, or little, paid girls” called “trafficking”.
The associations call to fight for the adoption of egalitarian civil laws in all areas, an improvement of the criminal code regarding sexual harassment at work or the assumption by the state for victims of violence.
The charter also requires “the lifting of all reservations to international treaties and conventions against discrimination against women.”
The six associations: SOS Women in Distress, the Network Wassila, the women of the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights, Djazaïrouna, Tharwa n'fatma N'soumer Women and the Committee of the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) finally put in place procedures to work to make a real difference in society.
Adopted in 1984 and amended in 2005, the Family Code is often denounced by associations as being below the Constitution, which proclaims equality of each and all. The woman needs, for example, to marry, the presence of a tutor, from or out of her family.
Ennahar online/ M. O.
Tunisia: Feminist university launched
TUNIS (AFP) — A rights group in Tunisia announced Saturday the opening of a "feminist university" to promote women's causes in the north African country where at least one in five women have been beaten.
Launched on the eve of International Women's Day, the non-academic university will be open to young people of both sexes to learn about universal human rights, values of equality and non-discrimination against women.
It will be "a place for getting involved in women's causes," said Sana Ben Achour, president of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD).
Named Ilhem Marzouki University after the leading Tunisian feminist, it will offer a feminist approach to training young people in the fields of justice, health, economy, education, media and human rights, she said.
Founded 25 years ago, ATFD opened the first support centre for battered women in Tunisia.
The non-profit organisation has received a human rights award in France and some 15,000 euros (19,000 dollars) to help its work against all forms of violence and discrimination towards women.
Official figures show about 20 percent of women in Tunisia have been battered, roughly one million out of a population of six million, though experts say this underestimates the problem.
In November, the country's women's affairs ministry started a free hotline for victims of domestic violence to provide support and report incidents.
Launched on the eve of International Women's Day, the non-academic university will be open to young people of both sexes to learn about universal human rights, values of equality and non-discrimination against women.
It will be "a place for getting involved in women's causes," said Sana Ben Achour, president of the Tunisian Association of Democratic Women (ATFD).
Named Ilhem Marzouki University after the leading Tunisian feminist, it will offer a feminist approach to training young people in the fields of justice, health, economy, education, media and human rights, she said.
Founded 25 years ago, ATFD opened the first support centre for battered women in Tunisia.
The non-profit organisation has received a human rights award in France and some 15,000 euros (19,000 dollars) to help its work against all forms of violence and discrimination towards women.
Official figures show about 20 percent of women in Tunisia have been battered, roughly one million out of a population of six million, though experts say this underestimates the problem.
In November, the country's women's affairs ministry started a free hotline for victims of domestic violence to provide support and report incidents.
Morocco: Women progress but 'could do better': activist
CASABLANCA, Morocco (AFP) — It was backed by the king and finally passed, a hotly disputed reform to empower women, cast off their vulnerability and set a trend in Muslim North Africa -- Morocco's landmark 2004 family law.
Five years later, the reform of "Mudawana", as it is called, is "positive overall" but still falls short of expectations, according to the rights' activist and outspoken head of Morocco's Democratic League for Women's Rights (LDDP), Fouzia Assouli.
Moroccans today have "embraced the idea of women's rights but we are still behind in terms of society's expectations," she told AFP in an interview ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.
Her group was created in 1993 and today counts 13,000 members in this North African country that, much like Turkey, often acts as a link between the Arab and Western world.
"There is no longer the same sort of opposition as before," Assouli conceded, "but it's time to make changes to the family code to restrict and clarify the power of the judges."
The 2004 reforms gave women the right to divorce their husbands and to own assets and property obtained during marriage, and clamped down sharply on a man's ability to repudiate his wife.
But Assouli said two other points are crying out for more change: the marriage of minors and the practice of polygamy, which are still allowed under a judge's discretion in this country of 34.3 million where an estimated 31 percent of the population is under 14.
Today, 10 percent of all marriages in Morocco involve minors and the LDDF has documented a dramatic increase -- more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2007 -- in unions involving underage girls in rural areas, Assouli said.
"Initially, Mudawana had a dissuasive effect ... but people quickly realised that it was not difficult to obtain dispensations," she said.
"We have therefore proposed recommendations that the legal age of marriage, 18-years-old, be respected and that dispensations be the exception, not the rule," she said.
She railed against one provision in the penal code that still allows a man accused with rape to avoid punishment if he marries his victim.
"It is high time to reform that because it is tantamount to a double rape: the first by the man, the second by society in legitimising the crime," she said.
On the sensitive issue of polygamy in a country where the religion once allowed a man to have up to four wives, she applauded the fact that it was now sharply limited but deplored what she said were too many exceptions.
"We see judgements in which a husband can maintain two families if the (first) wife gives her permission." But, asks Assouli, "if this woman has no other resources and is financially dependent on her husband, what choice does she have?"
She cited similar "contradictions" concerning the guardianship of children.
The Mudawana "placed the family under the authority of both parents but it is the father who is the chief. The woman comes second. To enroll children in school, you need the father's permission. The same goes if you want to change their school," she said.
Likewise, Assouli says the laws on inheritance need revamping. "It's unreasonable today, if your only heirs are daughters, to require that they share their inheritance with an uncle or (male) cousin.
"This is no longer acceptable; times have changed and women must have the same rights as men," she said.
The reforms to Mudawana, which is based on Islamic Sharia law, were pushed through by King Mohammed VI -- who is also the religious authority in this constitutional monarchy -- but only after a first failed attempt three years earlier.
Bitter opposition from conservative Muslims saw the government back down. That's when Mohammed VI, who has forged a reputation as a moderniser, stepped in.
Like his late father Hassan II, who maintained an iron grip over politics, he is keen to maintain the image of this former French protectorate as a bulwark of stability in a region stalked by religious extremism. Morocco is not only a NATO ally hailed by Washington for its role in the US-led war on terrorism but has aspirations to join the European Union, its main trading partner, where a backward role for women would not be welcome.
At the time, the king told parliament the reforms would "respond to concerns that the iniquities hanging over women be lifted", in a speech that was roundly applauded by the press. "History will remember that he presided over a major social change," the independent weekly Le Journal wrote afterwards.
But even Moroccan feminists concede the issue, at times, means walking a thin line in a country where religion still holds sway .
When asked about the interior ministry's recent refusal to allow a French feminist group, "Ni Putes, Ni Soumises" (Neither Whores Nor Submissive), to open a branch in Morocco, Assouli understood.
"The name of this group is very provocative," she said. "It would never work in Morocco, society would refuse it, women wouldn't join... I wouldn't even dare to translate the name into Arabic."
But Assouli also saw a religious dimension. The ministry, she said, "was maybe also acting out of fear of giving ammunition to extremists or Islamists, who might use this for false campaigns or to harm women."
Five years later, the reform of "Mudawana", as it is called, is "positive overall" but still falls short of expectations, according to the rights' activist and outspoken head of Morocco's Democratic League for Women's Rights (LDDP), Fouzia Assouli.
Moroccans today have "embraced the idea of women's rights but we are still behind in terms of society's expectations," she told AFP in an interview ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.
Her group was created in 1993 and today counts 13,000 members in this North African country that, much like Turkey, often acts as a link between the Arab and Western world.
"There is no longer the same sort of opposition as before," Assouli conceded, "but it's time to make changes to the family code to restrict and clarify the power of the judges."
The 2004 reforms gave women the right to divorce their husbands and to own assets and property obtained during marriage, and clamped down sharply on a man's ability to repudiate his wife.
But Assouli said two other points are crying out for more change: the marriage of minors and the practice of polygamy, which are still allowed under a judge's discretion in this country of 34.3 million where an estimated 31 percent of the population is under 14.
Today, 10 percent of all marriages in Morocco involve minors and the LDDF has documented a dramatic increase -- more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2007 -- in unions involving underage girls in rural areas, Assouli said.
"Initially, Mudawana had a dissuasive effect ... but people quickly realised that it was not difficult to obtain dispensations," she said.
"We have therefore proposed recommendations that the legal age of marriage, 18-years-old, be respected and that dispensations be the exception, not the rule," she said.
She railed against one provision in the penal code that still allows a man accused with rape to avoid punishment if he marries his victim.
"It is high time to reform that because it is tantamount to a double rape: the first by the man, the second by society in legitimising the crime," she said.
On the sensitive issue of polygamy in a country where the religion once allowed a man to have up to four wives, she applauded the fact that it was now sharply limited but deplored what she said were too many exceptions.
"We see judgements in which a husband can maintain two families if the (first) wife gives her permission." But, asks Assouli, "if this woman has no other resources and is financially dependent on her husband, what choice does she have?"
She cited similar "contradictions" concerning the guardianship of children.
The Mudawana "placed the family under the authority of both parents but it is the father who is the chief. The woman comes second. To enroll children in school, you need the father's permission. The same goes if you want to change their school," she said.
Likewise, Assouli says the laws on inheritance need revamping. "It's unreasonable today, if your only heirs are daughters, to require that they share their inheritance with an uncle or (male) cousin.
"This is no longer acceptable; times have changed and women must have the same rights as men," she said.
The reforms to Mudawana, which is based on Islamic Sharia law, were pushed through by King Mohammed VI -- who is also the religious authority in this constitutional monarchy -- but only after a first failed attempt three years earlier.
Bitter opposition from conservative Muslims saw the government back down. That's when Mohammed VI, who has forged a reputation as a moderniser, stepped in.
Like his late father Hassan II, who maintained an iron grip over politics, he is keen to maintain the image of this former French protectorate as a bulwark of stability in a region stalked by religious extremism. Morocco is not only a NATO ally hailed by Washington for its role in the US-led war on terrorism but has aspirations to join the European Union, its main trading partner, where a backward role for women would not be welcome.
At the time, the king told parliament the reforms would "respond to concerns that the iniquities hanging over women be lifted", in a speech that was roundly applauded by the press. "History will remember that he presided over a major social change," the independent weekly Le Journal wrote afterwards.
But even Moroccan feminists concede the issue, at times, means walking a thin line in a country where religion still holds sway .
When asked about the interior ministry's recent refusal to allow a French feminist group, "Ni Putes, Ni Soumises" (Neither Whores Nor Submissive), to open a branch in Morocco, Assouli understood.
"The name of this group is very provocative," she said. "It would never work in Morocco, society would refuse it, women wouldn't join... I wouldn't even dare to translate the name into Arabic."
But Assouli also saw a religious dimension. The ministry, she said, "was maybe also acting out of fear of giving ammunition to extremists or Islamists, who might use this for false campaigns or to harm women."
UAE: Profile of Sheikha Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
The Face of Power in the UAE is a Woman and Her Name is Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
In celebration of International Women's Month I want to be selfish and talk about women who redefine what it is to be a woman in charge and in control. These women are murdering stereotypes leading on their own terms for the greater good of society. These women are bold. They have brass ovaries. They are brainy, beautiful and possess a bandwidth of power that demands attention. The first woman I am going to profile is Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade for the United Arab Emirates.
I first heard about Sheikha Lubna during the Dubai Ports Crisis in February of 2006.
The issue was over the sale of port management businesses in six major U.S. seaports to a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There was concern of whether this sale would compromise port security. I remember how American citizens became very vocal raising serious concerns about how and why the United States would do such a thing since Americans were still suffering from the sting and psychological impact of 9/11 and were also very confused and frankly racist about Arab people.
While then President George W. Bush fought hard to keep the sale alive, he did not have the political capital to stop Congress from ultimately delaying the sale.
During the crisis in came IT specialist Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, then Minister of Economy. One of Forbes' 100 most powerful women, she was the first woman to be appointed cabinet Minister for the UAE in 2004, this petite woman with expressive eyes and proudly wearing her signature designer silk scarves, intimidated CNN's Wolf Blitzer during his visit to Dubai to see what he could sniff out about this controversy. Blitzer under estimated her, and he immediately discovered that the Sheikha was nothing to shake -- with quick responses, wit and perfect elocution she was a force to be reckoned with.
Wolf Blitzer: What do you know that you can share with American public that will reassure the US public, 60% plus who oppose.
Sheikha Lubna: This is a business deal. There is an impact on employment that will be positive. This is not the first port that DPW will manage. It is a world class port operator.
Wolf Blitzer: UAE recognized the Taliban. Two 9/11 hijackers came from here. Nuclear materials from AQ Khan's network were shipped through here. Money laundering for terrorists before and after 9/11 has been traced here. How do you reply to these objections?
Sheikha Lubna: We, the UAE, did not share the Taliban's ideology as evidenced by the fact that I, a woman, am the Economics Minister. We later broke relations with them. Two hijackers did come from here. Terrorists are really multi-national. Two don't make the UAE....
At that time, Sheikha Lubna had the toughest job in the cabinet. She was the face of the entire UAE handling a public relations nightmare. But, as we say in America's hood, "She handled her business." She handled it so well that Sheikha Lubna received a number of key recognitions, awards and received a major bump up being named Minister of Foreign Trade in early 2008. Her appointments paved the way for three other women cabinet Ministers as well as a growing host of young highly talented woman Ambassadors with considerable clout and power in their own right. She is the forerunner of the women's empowerment in the UAE; influencing positive change in the entire Muslim and Arab world.
Sheikha Lubna represents the 21st Century woman; not just as an Arab who would be ignorantly deemed by the West as an anomaly. She is cutting through veils of discrimination with serious substance, style and a smile. Recently at a private luncheon in Hartford, Connecticut, she told an intimate room of 40 guests that when she first received the call and offered the job of Minister of Economy, she instinctively replied, "I have to ask my mother first." When she mentions her mother, her face softens. For a split second, she becomes a little girl again, but she snaps right back to Minister in an instant.
While in Hartford, Her Excellency received another first becoming the first woman to become an honorary member of the Syracuse 8 -- "Eight African-American athletes at Syracuse University boycotted the 1970 football season in a collective effort to demand change and promote racial equality within the University football program....." After 36 years of protest, another woman of power Chancellor Nancy Cantor officially apologized for SU's history of racism awarding these men the Chancellor's Medal of Honor.
Sheikha Lubna is a blue blooded Princess -- the Qasimi family heads two Emirates in Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. She does not do any of dainty stepping however. She is always thinking and busy on her blackberry sending and receiving messages to and from leaders around the globe, she knows in her position she has fully replaced a size 10 man's shoe with a pair of pumps.
During the world's economic turmoil; her job has become even more paramount to the UAE. In Davos in January, she took part in an economic forum and held court in her suite having high level meetings. Literally nearly every week of her life, she has major engagements with world leaders such as Medvedev and Putin of Russia as well as her counterparts such as Lord Digby Jones, the UK Government's Minister of State for Trade. Having studied in the United States during her undergraduate years, she has a special love for the United States. She has been a great Diplomatic bridge between the two nations.
Because she wears a Hijab and is from an Islamic Federation with hereditary male rulers; a lot of us in the West actually search for where her power might be limited, but we are limited. The fact is this woman knows her own power and flies with the flag of the United Arab Emirates as her cape.
-- Huffington Post Blog
In celebration of International Women's Month I want to be selfish and talk about women who redefine what it is to be a woman in charge and in control. These women are murdering stereotypes leading on their own terms for the greater good of society. These women are bold. They have brass ovaries. They are brainy, beautiful and possess a bandwidth of power that demands attention. The first woman I am going to profile is Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade for the United Arab Emirates.
I first heard about Sheikha Lubna during the Dubai Ports Crisis in February of 2006.
The issue was over the sale of port management businesses in six major U.S. seaports to a company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There was concern of whether this sale would compromise port security. I remember how American citizens became very vocal raising serious concerns about how and why the United States would do such a thing since Americans were still suffering from the sting and psychological impact of 9/11 and were also very confused and frankly racist about Arab people.
While then President George W. Bush fought hard to keep the sale alive, he did not have the political capital to stop Congress from ultimately delaying the sale.
During the crisis in came IT specialist Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, then Minister of Economy. One of Forbes' 100 most powerful women, she was the first woman to be appointed cabinet Minister for the UAE in 2004, this petite woman with expressive eyes and proudly wearing her signature designer silk scarves, intimidated CNN's Wolf Blitzer during his visit to Dubai to see what he could sniff out about this controversy. Blitzer under estimated her, and he immediately discovered that the Sheikha was nothing to shake -- with quick responses, wit and perfect elocution she was a force to be reckoned with.
Wolf Blitzer: What do you know that you can share with American public that will reassure the US public, 60% plus who oppose.
Sheikha Lubna: This is a business deal. There is an impact on employment that will be positive. This is not the first port that DPW will manage. It is a world class port operator.
Wolf Blitzer: UAE recognized the Taliban. Two 9/11 hijackers came from here. Nuclear materials from AQ Khan's network were shipped through here. Money laundering for terrorists before and after 9/11 has been traced here. How do you reply to these objections?
Sheikha Lubna: We, the UAE, did not share the Taliban's ideology as evidenced by the fact that I, a woman, am the Economics Minister. We later broke relations with them. Two hijackers did come from here. Terrorists are really multi-national. Two don't make the UAE....
At that time, Sheikha Lubna had the toughest job in the cabinet. She was the face of the entire UAE handling a public relations nightmare. But, as we say in America's hood, "She handled her business." She handled it so well that Sheikha Lubna received a number of key recognitions, awards and received a major bump up being named Minister of Foreign Trade in early 2008. Her appointments paved the way for three other women cabinet Ministers as well as a growing host of young highly talented woman Ambassadors with considerable clout and power in their own right. She is the forerunner of the women's empowerment in the UAE; influencing positive change in the entire Muslim and Arab world.
Sheikha Lubna represents the 21st Century woman; not just as an Arab who would be ignorantly deemed by the West as an anomaly. She is cutting through veils of discrimination with serious substance, style and a smile. Recently at a private luncheon in Hartford, Connecticut, she told an intimate room of 40 guests that when she first received the call and offered the job of Minister of Economy, she instinctively replied, "I have to ask my mother first." When she mentions her mother, her face softens. For a split second, she becomes a little girl again, but she snaps right back to Minister in an instant.
While in Hartford, Her Excellency received another first becoming the first woman to become an honorary member of the Syracuse 8 -- "Eight African-American athletes at Syracuse University boycotted the 1970 football season in a collective effort to demand change and promote racial equality within the University football program....." After 36 years of protest, another woman of power Chancellor Nancy Cantor officially apologized for SU's history of racism awarding these men the Chancellor's Medal of Honor.
Sheikha Lubna is a blue blooded Princess -- the Qasimi family heads two Emirates in Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. She does not do any of dainty stepping however. She is always thinking and busy on her blackberry sending and receiving messages to and from leaders around the globe, she knows in her position she has fully replaced a size 10 man's shoe with a pair of pumps.
During the world's economic turmoil; her job has become even more paramount to the UAE. In Davos in January, she took part in an economic forum and held court in her suite having high level meetings. Literally nearly every week of her life, she has major engagements with world leaders such as Medvedev and Putin of Russia as well as her counterparts such as Lord Digby Jones, the UK Government's Minister of State for Trade. Having studied in the United States during her undergraduate years, she has a special love for the United States. She has been a great Diplomatic bridge between the two nations.
Because she wears a Hijab and is from an Islamic Federation with hereditary male rulers; a lot of us in the West actually search for where her power might be limited, but we are limited. The fact is this woman knows her own power and flies with the flag of the United Arab Emirates as her cape.
-- Huffington Post Blog
Friday, March 6, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Women savour glimmer of freedoms
RIYADH - It is not exactly Riyadh Spring, but Saudi Arabia's first female minister and the free mixing of the sexes at a recent conference are giving Saudi women hope that some of the world's tightest restrictions on their gender may be easing.
In a sweeping government shakeup last month, King Abdullah named Norah al-Fayez deputy education minister in charge of women's education, the first time a woman has been given a ministerial post in the country.
Also last month, a princess called publicly for women to be able to drive their own cars.
And at a regional conference on child abuse in a Riyadh hotel, with Abdullah's daughter Princess Adela presiding, there was virtually no barrier to prevent the more than 1,000 men and women present from mixing.
"That was a very very big step for the leaders," said Fouziyah al-Ayoumi, who campaigns against violence against women in the eastern city of Dharan.
In other countries such moves would be minor, but in Saudi Arabia, where arch-conservative clerics set the tone of law and policy -- especially regarding women -- they are being hailed as revolutionary.
Saudi women activists speak hopefully and see King Abdullah's hand opening the door for them while simultaneously holding back the clerics.
"I have the feeling that King Abdullah wants this change," said Ayoumi.
But success is not a given, activists say. In his shakeup, the king targeted the clerics' power base in the justice and education systems.
But some doubt that the new progressive ministers will be able to overcome the entrenched bureaucracy as well as general Saudi male opposition to giving women more freedoms and putting them in positions of power.
According to French researcher Amelie Le Renard, the women's movement in Saudi Arabia has two very divergent tracks.
Some leading activists aim to break down barriers between the sexes.
But Le Renard said that others, including many young educated women, prefer the expanding equal-but-separate structure, where women have their own parallel structures to men -- a distinctly "Islamic women's rights" view.
This includes women-only bank branches, hotels and shopping centres, and strict women's sections taking care of women's affairs in government departments and corporate offices.
"In general young women in Riyadh really want to work," she said. "Segregation is not their main problem... Some of them are really for segregation," said Le Renard, a PhD candidate at Sciences Po in Paris.
In addition, for some women's rights supporters, the king's changes did not go far enough and leave the effort for more women's freedoms vulnerable.
Abdulaziz al-Sowayegh, a former member of the consultative Majlis al-Shura council, pointed out that in his shakeup, the king did not name any women to the 150-member council. Instead, six women have observer and consultant status.
"It's like avoiding putting women in the majlis. They are not full members, they don't have a vote. They will only be consulted on women's issues like feeding babies," he said.
- Middle East Online
In a sweeping government shakeup last month, King Abdullah named Norah al-Fayez deputy education minister in charge of women's education, the first time a woman has been given a ministerial post in the country.
Also last month, a princess called publicly for women to be able to drive their own cars.
And at a regional conference on child abuse in a Riyadh hotel, with Abdullah's daughter Princess Adela presiding, there was virtually no barrier to prevent the more than 1,000 men and women present from mixing.
"That was a very very big step for the leaders," said Fouziyah al-Ayoumi, who campaigns against violence against women in the eastern city of Dharan.
In other countries such moves would be minor, but in Saudi Arabia, where arch-conservative clerics set the tone of law and policy -- especially regarding women -- they are being hailed as revolutionary.
Saudi women activists speak hopefully and see King Abdullah's hand opening the door for them while simultaneously holding back the clerics.
"I have the feeling that King Abdullah wants this change," said Ayoumi.
But success is not a given, activists say. In his shakeup, the king targeted the clerics' power base in the justice and education systems.
But some doubt that the new progressive ministers will be able to overcome the entrenched bureaucracy as well as general Saudi male opposition to giving women more freedoms and putting them in positions of power.
According to French researcher Amelie Le Renard, the women's movement in Saudi Arabia has two very divergent tracks.
Some leading activists aim to break down barriers between the sexes.
But Le Renard said that others, including many young educated women, prefer the expanding equal-but-separate structure, where women have their own parallel structures to men -- a distinctly "Islamic women's rights" view.
This includes women-only bank branches, hotels and shopping centres, and strict women's sections taking care of women's affairs in government departments and corporate offices.
"In general young women in Riyadh really want to work," she said. "Segregation is not their main problem... Some of them are really for segregation," said Le Renard, a PhD candidate at Sciences Po in Paris.
In addition, for some women's rights supporters, the king's changes did not go far enough and leave the effort for more women's freedoms vulnerable.
Abdulaziz al-Sowayegh, a former member of the consultative Majlis al-Shura council, pointed out that in his shakeup, the king did not name any women to the 150-member council. Instead, six women have observer and consultant status.
"It's like avoiding putting women in the majlis. They are not full members, they don't have a vote. They will only be consulted on women's issues like feeding babies," he said.
- Middle East Online
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Jordan: Community Radio Station Tackles Issues Affecting Women and Youth
Internews
(March 5, 2009) Farah Al Nas, a Internews-founded community radio station in Jordan that focuses on women and youth issues, is tackling topics that are usually taboo on the airwaves.
Based in Amman, the station recently held a week-long campaign dealing with violence against women that featured the voices of women affected by violence. It was a rare moment to hear women talking openly on the air about their experiences of rape and domestic violence.
In January, when a six-year old child was killed by a truck in the residential area of Abu Alanda, community members grew upset at how many children had been injured or killed by trucks passing through that neighborhood. Working with all affected parties, Farah Al Nas held a successful campaign to ban trucks from entering the area.
“I am very happy with what we have achieved so far at Farah Al Nas,” said Haitham Atoom, the station manager. “Our programs are out there, people are listening and we are responsive to their requests. I have great expectations for Farah Al Nas.”
Internews trains and supports young people ages 10 to 24 to operate the radio station. The young journalists learn the technical and journalistic skills needed to operate a community radio station.
Run by and for the local community, Farah Al Nas produces three main programs dealing with women, youth and social issues:
“Woman Today,” broadcast twice weekly, deals with issues such as women’s right to education, a career, and life and discrimination against women whether judicial or societal. It also stresses the importance of empowering women financially and intellectually . Some topics of discussion are: Jordanian women’s right to give their nationality to their children; the right to get promoted based on qualifications rather than gender; the right to all vacations as per the labor law; and injustice to women due to the what so called “honor crimes” and sexual harassment.
“Youth” deals with the concerns and aspirations of young people and is aired three times weekly.
Min Qalb El Nass (“From the Heart of the People”) deals with people’s daily concerns
Farah Al Nas began broadcasting in May of 2008 and was established by Internews Network, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) and the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) through a grant from the US Department of State.
(March 5, 2009) Farah Al Nas, a Internews-founded community radio station in Jordan that focuses on women and youth issues, is tackling topics that are usually taboo on the airwaves.
Based in Amman, the station recently held a week-long campaign dealing with violence against women that featured the voices of women affected by violence. It was a rare moment to hear women talking openly on the air about their experiences of rape and domestic violence.
In January, when a six-year old child was killed by a truck in the residential area of Abu Alanda, community members grew upset at how many children had been injured or killed by trucks passing through that neighborhood. Working with all affected parties, Farah Al Nas held a successful campaign to ban trucks from entering the area.
“I am very happy with what we have achieved so far at Farah Al Nas,” said Haitham Atoom, the station manager. “Our programs are out there, people are listening and we are responsive to their requests. I have great expectations for Farah Al Nas.”
Internews trains and supports young people ages 10 to 24 to operate the radio station. The young journalists learn the technical and journalistic skills needed to operate a community radio station.
Run by and for the local community, Farah Al Nas produces three main programs dealing with women, youth and social issues:
“Woman Today,” broadcast twice weekly, deals with issues such as women’s right to education, a career, and life and discrimination against women whether judicial or societal. It also stresses the importance of empowering women financially and intellectually . Some topics of discussion are: Jordanian women’s right to give their nationality to their children; the right to get promoted based on qualifications rather than gender; the right to all vacations as per the labor law; and injustice to women due to the what so called “honor crimes” and sexual harassment.
“Youth” deals with the concerns and aspirations of young people and is aired three times weekly.
Min Qalb El Nass (“From the Heart of the People”) deals with people’s daily concerns
Farah Al Nas began broadcasting in May of 2008 and was established by Internews Network, the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD) and the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) through a grant from the US Department of State.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
West Bank: Two Palestinian women become judges in Islamic court
RAMALLAH (West Bank): The Islamic courts were among the last male-only bastions in Palestinian society, where women have been presidential candidates, police officers and even suicide bombers.
Now two stern-looking women in Muslim head scarves and long black robes have smashed through the thick glass ceiling.
Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31, made history in February when they became the first female Islamic judges in the Palestinian territories.
Across the Arab world, only Sudan has had women judges in Islamic courts, West Bank-based academic experts on Islamic affairs said.
Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, all relatively progressive states in the region on women's rights, do not.
"I compare us to other Arab Muslim women, and I think we've done well," said Faqih, wearing a sash in the colours of the Palestinian flag across her robe. "I think I've opened a door for myself and other women."
She spoke between meetings with petitioners in her modest courtroom -- an office with a few couches, a desk and a coffee table with plastic flowers.
Muslim courts in the Palestinian Authority rule over family affairs like marriage, divorce, inheritance and custody, relying on Islamic jurisprudence rather than secular rules.
-- Associated Press
Now two stern-looking women in Muslim head scarves and long black robes have smashed through the thick glass ceiling.
Khuloud Faqih, 34, and Asmahan Wuheidi, 31, made history in February when they became the first female Islamic judges in the Palestinian territories.
Across the Arab world, only Sudan has had women judges in Islamic courts, West Bank-based academic experts on Islamic affairs said.
Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, all relatively progressive states in the region on women's rights, do not.
"I compare us to other Arab Muslim women, and I think we've done well," said Faqih, wearing a sash in the colours of the Palestinian flag across her robe. "I think I've opened a door for myself and other women."
She spoke between meetings with petitioners in her modest courtroom -- an office with a few couches, a desk and a coffee table with plastic flowers.
Muslim courts in the Palestinian Authority rule over family affairs like marriage, divorce, inheritance and custody, relying on Islamic jurisprudence rather than secular rules.
-- Associated Press
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Jordan: Women make waves in Jordan Valley
By Suha Philip Ma’ayeh, Foreign Correspondent for The National
AMMAN // For the past year, Muneera Shatti and Asma Raja, two young women from the Jordan Valley, have broadcast a weekly radio show that tackles the issues faced by their impoverished community, from a lack of buses and the theft of water, to boys using mobile phones to take photos of schoolgirls.
The work is not without challenges as the tribal-dominated valley on which they report is staunchly conservative and one of 20 pockets of poverty where the average income is about US$1,800 (Dh6,624) per year.
“At first there were men who refused to be interviewed by us. They would say, ‘You are women’. But they got used to us. Just last week I interviewed young men in a cafe to gauge their views regarding public services,” Ms Shatti said. “Interviewing men is something I would have never imagined myself doing before I became a correspondent for the radio.”
In one programme, Ms Shatti reported on the lack of buses connecting her town with a nearby village. Within a week, the Jordan Valley Authority responded and provided the needed bus.
“That was encouraging even though later the bus was taken away as other bus drivers protested that it was affecting their business.”
In another broadcast, Ms Raja, 24, reported on water theft.
“Farmers were stealing water from the main pipes, depriving residents of drinking water. I talked to a senior water official who promised to provide citizens with another source of water while the government closed some of the pipes to try to stop those from stealing. Since then, water theft has declined.”
Because the women do not have a licence to broadcast in their community, Radio Al Balad, an Amman-based community radio, produces and hosts their show, called the Voice of the Valley.
The women take three buses to get to Amman to broadcast the show, but for them, the trip is worth it.
Radio Al Balad has been pushing hard to get a licence to launch the first all-women community radio in Jordan.
But last month, the government turned down the licence application without giving a reason. The country’s laws do not oblige the government to explain why it rejects applications.
The decision, however, has frustrated Daoud Kuttab, the founder of Radio Al Balad, who has been trying to launch Zaharat Alghor, the Flower of the Valley, which would not broadcast news or political programmes.
“We were excited. It is a station run by women. It was supposed to be a women empowerment station. We were already seeing success in the one-hour programme,” he said. “If the government did not want to give us a licence, then why entertain our application in the first place? It took us a year and a half to fulfil the requirements of the application, including paying $15,000 for the initiation licence fee. We rented offices [in the Jordan Valley], too.”
In 2002, Jordan liberalised its airwaves and a year later created an audiovisual commission tasked with licensing independent satellite and radio stations. Since then, 26 independent stations have been granted licences, most of whom provide music, entertainment and social programmes. Seven have licences for news and political programmes.
It is 50 per cent more expensive to get a licence for a news and political broadcast because, according to insiders, the AVC believes the latter generates more advertisements, while sceptics see it as another restriction on media freedom.
It is the second time in two years that the government has rejected an application by Mr Kuttab for a community radio licence, raising some speculation that the decision was motivated by personal reasons.
Conservative officials are concerned that community radio in a traditional society could create problems among tribes and upset their social and cultural values.
Mr Kuttab has also been criticised for allowing Palestinian refugees from Gaza to make their plea for citizenship on his radio programmes. Jordan sees such a policy as serving the interest of Israel because the refugees would then no longer be able to apply to return to Israel.
Because Radio Al Balad is licensed to broadcast only in Amman, residents in the Jordan Valley can only hear the programme by tuning into Al Qamr radio station in Jericho, a West Bank city on the other side of the Jordan Valley.
Mr Kuttab had signed an agreement with Al Qamr to rebroadcast the show until he was able to obtain a licence. The programme can also be heard online, but only 16 per cent of Jordanian households have internet access.
Mr Kuttab has made it clear in editorials and blogs that he is not happy with the AVC’s decision. But Hussein Bani Hani, the AVC head, argued the government had acted in the interest of investors.
“The government wants to give a chance for every investor. We want to give equal opportunities to all,” he said. “All the governorates are covered with radio stations, and we have community stations in several universities that also provide training for university students on media broadcasting.
“The stations tackle different subjects in different communities and broadcast social programmes which vary from women and child issues to youth issues. They are funded by organisations involved in media development.”
Although the community radio stations have been welcomed in most areas, there are some criticism that they are not completely independent.
Ms Shatti and Ms Raja were discouraged at first by the government’s decision not to grant them a licence. They closed the offices that Radio Al Balad had rented for them last week. But the women said they will continue to broadcast from Amman.
“I will not let the licence get me down. I will continue to work to make the voices of people in remote areas heard,” Ms Raja said.
AMMAN // For the past year, Muneera Shatti and Asma Raja, two young women from the Jordan Valley, have broadcast a weekly radio show that tackles the issues faced by their impoverished community, from a lack of buses and the theft of water, to boys using mobile phones to take photos of schoolgirls.
The work is not without challenges as the tribal-dominated valley on which they report is staunchly conservative and one of 20 pockets of poverty where the average income is about US$1,800 (Dh6,624) per year.
“At first there were men who refused to be interviewed by us. They would say, ‘You are women’. But they got used to us. Just last week I interviewed young men in a cafe to gauge their views regarding public services,” Ms Shatti said. “Interviewing men is something I would have never imagined myself doing before I became a correspondent for the radio.”
In one programme, Ms Shatti reported on the lack of buses connecting her town with a nearby village. Within a week, the Jordan Valley Authority responded and provided the needed bus.
“That was encouraging even though later the bus was taken away as other bus drivers protested that it was affecting their business.”
In another broadcast, Ms Raja, 24, reported on water theft.
“Farmers were stealing water from the main pipes, depriving residents of drinking water. I talked to a senior water official who promised to provide citizens with another source of water while the government closed some of the pipes to try to stop those from stealing. Since then, water theft has declined.”
Because the women do not have a licence to broadcast in their community, Radio Al Balad, an Amman-based community radio, produces and hosts their show, called the Voice of the Valley.
The women take three buses to get to Amman to broadcast the show, but for them, the trip is worth it.
Radio Al Balad has been pushing hard to get a licence to launch the first all-women community radio in Jordan.
But last month, the government turned down the licence application without giving a reason. The country’s laws do not oblige the government to explain why it rejects applications.
The decision, however, has frustrated Daoud Kuttab, the founder of Radio Al Balad, who has been trying to launch Zaharat Alghor, the Flower of the Valley, which would not broadcast news or political programmes.
“We were excited. It is a station run by women. It was supposed to be a women empowerment station. We were already seeing success in the one-hour programme,” he said. “If the government did not want to give us a licence, then why entertain our application in the first place? It took us a year and a half to fulfil the requirements of the application, including paying $15,000 for the initiation licence fee. We rented offices [in the Jordan Valley], too.”
In 2002, Jordan liberalised its airwaves and a year later created an audiovisual commission tasked with licensing independent satellite and radio stations. Since then, 26 independent stations have been granted licences, most of whom provide music, entertainment and social programmes. Seven have licences for news and political programmes.
It is 50 per cent more expensive to get a licence for a news and political broadcast because, according to insiders, the AVC believes the latter generates more advertisements, while sceptics see it as another restriction on media freedom.
It is the second time in two years that the government has rejected an application by Mr Kuttab for a community radio licence, raising some speculation that the decision was motivated by personal reasons.
Conservative officials are concerned that community radio in a traditional society could create problems among tribes and upset their social and cultural values.
Mr Kuttab has also been criticised for allowing Palestinian refugees from Gaza to make their plea for citizenship on his radio programmes. Jordan sees such a policy as serving the interest of Israel because the refugees would then no longer be able to apply to return to Israel.
Because Radio Al Balad is licensed to broadcast only in Amman, residents in the Jordan Valley can only hear the programme by tuning into Al Qamr radio station in Jericho, a West Bank city on the other side of the Jordan Valley.
Mr Kuttab had signed an agreement with Al Qamr to rebroadcast the show until he was able to obtain a licence. The programme can also be heard online, but only 16 per cent of Jordanian households have internet access.
Mr Kuttab has made it clear in editorials and blogs that he is not happy with the AVC’s decision. But Hussein Bani Hani, the AVC head, argued the government had acted in the interest of investors.
“The government wants to give a chance for every investor. We want to give equal opportunities to all,” he said. “All the governorates are covered with radio stations, and we have community stations in several universities that also provide training for university students on media broadcasting.
“The stations tackle different subjects in different communities and broadcast social programmes which vary from women and child issues to youth issues. They are funded by organisations involved in media development.”
Although the community radio stations have been welcomed in most areas, there are some criticism that they are not completely independent.
Ms Shatti and Ms Raja were discouraged at first by the government’s decision not to grant them a licence. They closed the offices that Radio Al Balad had rented for them last week. But the women said they will continue to broadcast from Amman.
“I will not let the licence get me down. I will continue to work to make the voices of people in remote areas heard,” Ms Raja said.
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