Sheikha Alyaziah bint Saif al Nahyan, wife of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs today concludes a two day trip to Rome to attend the second Non-Aligned Movement First Ladies Summit on the subject of food security and women's access to resources.
Sheikha Alyaziah was representing Sheikha Fatimah bint Mubarak, first lady of the UAE at the conference in which the UAE submitted a speech that urged the need for global action to combat hunger worldwide and ensure women's access to resources.
Sheikha Alyaziah's speech highlighted that the issue of food security is one that goes to the very heart of the challenges that face the world today. "It is intimately connected with a whole host of other issues - like climate change, the conservation of our natural environment, population growth, poverty and education. And, of course, it is also related to the allocation of global economic resources between North and South and how they are managed." The UAE submission also praised the continued support of UAE President Sheikh Khalifah bin Zayed al Nahyan in empowering women and ensuring their equal access to resources. A core part of the UAE's policy focuses on giving aid to countries around the world, in particular for building up infrastructure and contributing to irrigation and education projects.
The meeting, timed to take place on the sidelines of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization summit (FAO) will present its recommendations to the FAO World Food summit over the coming two days.
During the two-day summit, Sheikha Alyazia held bilateral meetings with a number of first ladies including Suzanne Mubarak of Egypt, Hero Talabani of Iraq and Leila Ben Ali of Tunisia in which discussions were held on a number of issues of mutual interest and co-operation.
The UAE delegation, headed by Sheikha Alyaziah included Noura al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Women's Union, Ambassador Abdulaziz Al Shamsi, UAE ambassador to Italy, Lana Nusseibeh, Director of Research at the Ministry of State for the Federal National Council, Fatimah al Amri, Director of Public Relations at the General Women's Union, Rowda al Otaiba and Alya al Shehhi from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Rome,16 Nov, 2009 (WAM)
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conference. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Qatar: Businesswomen forum to host leadership meet
The Qatar Businesswomen Forum (QBWF) will host the ‘semi-annual leadership meeting’ of MENA Businesswomen’s Network (MENA BWN) in Doha from June 16 to 18.
The network is a partnership of local businesswomen’s organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Department of State.
The goal of the partnership is to build a regional network of businesswomen to expand the number of women in business, to increase the value of their businesses, to advance the role of women in society, and to promote a regional culture of women’s entrepreneurship.
Aisha Alfardan, QBWF vice -chairperson, said, “We are pleased to host the leadership meeting in Qatar. It will be an excellent opportunity for the new members to learn more about the network, and meet in person with businesswomen from other countries to share the expertise and exchange information.”
The network is a partnership of local businesswomen’s organisations across the Middle East and North Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Department of State.
The goal of the partnership is to build a regional network of businesswomen to expand the number of women in business, to increase the value of their businesses, to advance the role of women in society, and to promote a regional culture of women’s entrepreneurship.
Aisha Alfardan, QBWF vice -chairperson, said, “We are pleased to host the leadership meeting in Qatar. It will be an excellent opportunity for the new members to learn more about the network, and meet in person with businesswomen from other countries to share the expertise and exchange information.”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Jordan: Conference opens to support women’s entrepreneurship in the Arab region
Jordan Times
By Omar Obeidat
AMMAN - Over 130 female entrepreneurs from Jordan and 15 other Arab and foreign countries have come together to identify strategies and approaches to boost their businesses’ potential.
Launched in Amman on Monday, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED) Conference also seeks to increase women’s participation in the labour force and discuss the challenges hindering women’s empowerment.
During the three-day event, female entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with investors interested in funding women’s projects, as well as organisations that support the development of women-owned businesses in the region.
WED, the first of its kind in the Arab region, is organised by the Business Development Centre (BDC) and the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITC-ILO).
BDC President and Chief Executive Officer Nayef Stetieh said the conference brings experts and entrepreneurs dedicated to female entrepreneurship from around the world to develop the support services available to women.
“Despite social challenges, female entrepreneurs in Jordan and the region can be a real source for economic growth,” he added.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) Suhair Al-Ali said in her inauguration speech that Arab women still face several challenges that stand between them and their aspirations.
“There are stereotypes that women do not have the capacity and capability to compete with men in the business field,” she noted, adding that women can be key contributors to economic development in the Arab region.
Women also have difficulties in finding financial resources, which force many female investors and businesswomen to establish only small- and medium-sized projects that can be funded with small loans, Al-Ali said.
She pointed to a study conducted by the World Bank in 2008 which indicated that 85 per cent of women-owned companies in the region are in the industrial sector while the other 15 per cent are in the services sector.
Basma Khlouf, from the northern Mazar Municipality, said that women in the area encounter difficulties in funding their projects due to strict financing rules.
Her main goal in participating in the event, she said, was to find small projects to support women in her “poor area” so they could contribute in improving their families’ living standards.
On the other hand, Iman Majali said that she was able to get a loan 10 years ago to open a private education centre for people with disabilities.
“I started with two employees and now the centre has 23 staff members,” said Majali, who came to the conference to find ways to improve her business’ administration.
The conference targets international development agencies, banks, microfinance institutions and investors interested in funding female-owned projects, in addition to creating partnerships and networking among female entrepreneurs.
“The conference aims to stimulate knowledge and experience sharing among main actors in promoting women’s entrepreneurship development in the region,” ITC-ILO representative Kholoud Khaldi said.
WED is supported by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development , MoPIC, Jordan Enterprise, The National Fund for Enterprise Support, Durham University, the USAID-funded Tatweer Project and Business and Professional Women-Amman.
By Omar Obeidat
AMMAN - Over 130 female entrepreneurs from Jordan and 15 other Arab and foreign countries have come together to identify strategies and approaches to boost their businesses’ potential.
Launched in Amman on Monday, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED) Conference also seeks to increase women’s participation in the labour force and discuss the challenges hindering women’s empowerment.
During the three-day event, female entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with investors interested in funding women’s projects, as well as organisations that support the development of women-owned businesses in the region.
WED, the first of its kind in the Arab region, is organised by the Business Development Centre (BDC) and the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITC-ILO).
BDC President and Chief Executive Officer Nayef Stetieh said the conference brings experts and entrepreneurs dedicated to female entrepreneurship from around the world to develop the support services available to women.
“Despite social challenges, female entrepreneurs in Jordan and the region can be a real source for economic growth,” he added.
Minister of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) Suhair Al-Ali said in her inauguration speech that Arab women still face several challenges that stand between them and their aspirations.
“There are stereotypes that women do not have the capacity and capability to compete with men in the business field,” she noted, adding that women can be key contributors to economic development in the Arab region.
Women also have difficulties in finding financial resources, which force many female investors and businesswomen to establish only small- and medium-sized projects that can be funded with small loans, Al-Ali said.
She pointed to a study conducted by the World Bank in 2008 which indicated that 85 per cent of women-owned companies in the region are in the industrial sector while the other 15 per cent are in the services sector.
Basma Khlouf, from the northern Mazar Municipality, said that women in the area encounter difficulties in funding their projects due to strict financing rules.
Her main goal in participating in the event, she said, was to find small projects to support women in her “poor area” so they could contribute in improving their families’ living standards.
On the other hand, Iman Majali said that she was able to get a loan 10 years ago to open a private education centre for people with disabilities.
“I started with two employees and now the centre has 23 staff members,” said Majali, who came to the conference to find ways to improve her business’ administration.
The conference targets international development agencies, banks, microfinance institutions and investors interested in funding female-owned projects, in addition to creating partnerships and networking among female entrepreneurs.
“The conference aims to stimulate knowledge and experience sharing among main actors in promoting women’s entrepreneurship development in the region,” ITC-ILO representative Kholoud Khaldi said.
WED is supported by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development , MoPIC, Jordan Enterprise, The National Fund for Enterprise Support, Durham University, the USAID-funded Tatweer Project and Business and Professional Women-Amman.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Yemen: Lifting the Voices of Yemen’s Women and Youth
Internews
(November 12, 2008) In 2007, Yemen ranked last out of the 128 countries considered in the World Economic Forum’s annual Gender Gap Index, signifying the persistence of serious gender-based inequalities.
To address these inequalities and bring women’s voices to the fore, Internews Network is empowering Yemeni youth and media professionals to explore sensitive issues concerning gender, society, and human rights.
In partnership with the Yemeni Women’s Media Forum (YWMF), Internews Network has begun holding a series of town hall meetings across Yemen to address these issues. Young people and professional journalists will be trained in radio production through the project, “Yemeni Voices: Women and Youth in Support of Free Media.” The project will culminate with the production of 15 thirty-minute radio programs, which will be aired on national and mainstream media.
Internews and the Yemeni Women’s Media Forum held the first town hall meeting in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, on October 22. Over 30 different organizations and NGOs were represented by more than 50 delegates from across Sana'a.
The participants formed three working groups to discuss topics for the radio programs in the areas of education, health, the environment, and human rights. Each group offered 12 to 15 ideas for future production. Suggested program topics ranged from child marriage to the use of weapons in Sana’a neighborhoods.
Participants were universally enthusiastic about the program. "The idea of creating working groups and coming up with results is the best way to show the transparency of the programs, and I hope that at least one of my ideas will be realized with this project through a real radio program," said Radia Khairan, a member of the Hood Organization.
“Yemeni Voices: Women and Youth in Support of Free Media” is supported by a grant from the US Department of State.
(November 12, 2008) In 2007, Yemen ranked last out of the 128 countries considered in the World Economic Forum’s annual Gender Gap Index, signifying the persistence of serious gender-based inequalities.
To address these inequalities and bring women’s voices to the fore, Internews Network is empowering Yemeni youth and media professionals to explore sensitive issues concerning gender, society, and human rights.
In partnership with the Yemeni Women’s Media Forum (YWMF), Internews Network has begun holding a series of town hall meetings across Yemen to address these issues. Young people and professional journalists will be trained in radio production through the project, “Yemeni Voices: Women and Youth in Support of Free Media.” The project will culminate with the production of 15 thirty-minute radio programs, which will be aired on national and mainstream media.
Internews and the Yemeni Women’s Media Forum held the first town hall meeting in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, on October 22. Over 30 different organizations and NGOs were represented by more than 50 delegates from across Sana'a.
The participants formed three working groups to discuss topics for the radio programs in the areas of education, health, the environment, and human rights. Each group offered 12 to 15 ideas for future production. Suggested program topics ranged from child marriage to the use of weapons in Sana’a neighborhoods.
Participants were universally enthusiastic about the program. "The idea of creating working groups and coming up with results is the best way to show the transparency of the programs, and I hope that at least one of my ideas will be realized with this project through a real radio program," said Radia Khairan, a member of the Hood Organization.
“Yemeni Voices: Women and Youth in Support of Free Media” is supported by a grant from the US Department of State.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Qatar: Awareness can end abuse against women
Source ::: The Peninsula
Doha: A major change in the mindset of humanity alone can help to curb the violence against women (VAW) around the world according to speakers at the two-day international seminar on violence against women which concluded yesterday. The colloquium, Impact of Violence against Women on the Family, was organised by Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA).
Despite number of rulings and legislations passed by different countries and organisations like United Nations, violence and discrimination against women has not been brought under control. The major reason for this is lack of awareness. World Health Organisation’s study on VAW has found that many women believe violence is normal, it’s a way the partner is supposed to behave. In many parts of the world women are expected to be submissive to their husbands at all times and violence is seen as a way to discipline a woman.
“WHO study has shown that 19 to 76 percent of women are abused in different parts of the world,” said Heriette Jansen from National Research on VAW in Turkey. “We found that among women who reported abuse by anyone, 80 percent of women reported being abused by a partner. While the popular understanding is often that women should stay home because the streets is dangerous, for many women it is actually her own home that is not safe, the place where she should be protected and loved!”
“The beliefs, values and discourses which support violence should be changed to overcome VAW. The patriarchal power which sustain and are sustained by violence should be challenged,” said Gihan Abou Zeid, an expert in Women Rights and Development in the Arab Region from Cairo.
The patriarchal power in some areas is so deep rooted that even social workers and close family give little or no attention to it. Due to this, a vast majority of 55 to 95 percent of abused women never contact formal support agency or person in authority. The response women get from their closest support system, family, when such problems are reported, makes them feel more isolated and guilty.
“For controlling this violence, education alone is not enough,” said Justice Majida Rizvi, Chair person, National Commission on the Status of Women, Pakistan. “In order to bring reform in the underlying cultural values of society, the structure supporting patriarchal violence against women and children efforts must be made to change the mind-set of the people. This includes women who often learn to accept their low status as normal due to unrelenting socialisation, and at cultural institutions such as schools, family, mosques, government and law enforcement agencies. It entails changing gender roles and social norms, opening economic opportunities to women and improving self respect for children and women’s status by dismantling patriarchal structures,” she said.
Doha: A major change in the mindset of humanity alone can help to curb the violence against women (VAW) around the world according to speakers at the two-day international seminar on violence against women which concluded yesterday. The colloquium, Impact of Violence against Women on the Family, was organised by Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA).
Despite number of rulings and legislations passed by different countries and organisations like United Nations, violence and discrimination against women has not been brought under control. The major reason for this is lack of awareness. World Health Organisation’s study on VAW has found that many women believe violence is normal, it’s a way the partner is supposed to behave. In many parts of the world women are expected to be submissive to their husbands at all times and violence is seen as a way to discipline a woman.
“WHO study has shown that 19 to 76 percent of women are abused in different parts of the world,” said Heriette Jansen from National Research on VAW in Turkey. “We found that among women who reported abuse by anyone, 80 percent of women reported being abused by a partner. While the popular understanding is often that women should stay home because the streets is dangerous, for many women it is actually her own home that is not safe, the place where she should be protected and loved!”
“The beliefs, values and discourses which support violence should be changed to overcome VAW. The patriarchal power which sustain and are sustained by violence should be challenged,” said Gihan Abou Zeid, an expert in Women Rights and Development in the Arab Region from Cairo.
The patriarchal power in some areas is so deep rooted that even social workers and close family give little or no attention to it. Due to this, a vast majority of 55 to 95 percent of abused women never contact formal support agency or person in authority. The response women get from their closest support system, family, when such problems are reported, makes them feel more isolated and guilty.
“For controlling this violence, education alone is not enough,” said Justice Majida Rizvi, Chair person, National Commission on the Status of Women, Pakistan. “In order to bring reform in the underlying cultural values of society, the structure supporting patriarchal violence against women and children efforts must be made to change the mind-set of the people. This includes women who often learn to accept their low status as normal due to unrelenting socialisation, and at cultural institutions such as schools, family, mosques, government and law enforcement agencies. It entails changing gender roles and social norms, opening economic opportunities to women and improving self respect for children and women’s status by dismantling patriarchal structures,” she said.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Qatar: Conference on violence against women
The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs will hold a conference on Impact of Violence Against Women on the Family from November 19.
Violence against Women (VAW) is a universal problem that continues to persist and constitutes a widespread violation of human rights and a real obstacle to peace and development. In February this year, the United Nations Organisation launched a multi-year campaign which runs until 2015 to end violence against women. The campaign hopes to help strengthen political commitments and enhance efforts at all levels.
Source : THE PENINSULA, DOHA
Violence against Women (VAW) is a universal problem that continues to persist and constitutes a widespread violation of human rights and a real obstacle to peace and development. In February this year, the United Nations Organisation launched a multi-year campaign which runs until 2015 to end violence against women. The campaign hopes to help strengthen political commitments and enhance efforts at all levels.
Source : THE PENINSULA, DOHA
Middle East: Women of Jordan join the Women Business Leaders Summit in Bahrain
Women business executives from Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Palestine joined together with women business leaders from the US joined to share their experiences and exchange best practices in a variety of panel discussions and fact finding visits around Bahrain and Dubai over the course of the week.
In their meeting with Deputy King Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, his royal highness 'Hailed the role of women in various domains in which they have proved their extraordinary ability to manage different businesses. He also urged them to create contact channels among Arab and US business women', Gulf Daily News.
The Bahrain summit, which builds on the previous success of Washington D.C. summit and the summit held in Jordan last February 2007, addresses the challenges faced by all women in business, and establishes connections on professional levels.
The summit programme included meetings with H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa and Sheikha Meriam Al Khalifa. Delegates visited the cultural and economic zones of Bahrain and participated in presentations and brainstorm sessions focusing on the exchange of business information and exports and joints ventures, as well as the capitalisation on existing and potential business relationships between the delegates and the organisations they represent.
'The Women Business Leaders Summit has been a unique spot for the Arab business women leaders to exchange their experiences with their business counterparts from the Middle East and the US. The Arab women were historically good merchants and we know that borders frequently visited by traders are seldom in disputes. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Red Cross Ms Bonnie McElveen-Hunter who has inspired the group with her dedicated efforts and focus on business and women leadership. Women from Jordan represented the ICT sector through the participation of ESKADENIA Software and the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), Bidaya Corporate Communications, the Pharmaceutical industry through the participation of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Jordan's reputable NGO INJAZ,' said Doha Abdelkhaleq, member of the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of Jordan int@j and Executive Director at ESKADENIA Software.
-- AMEINFO.COM
In their meeting with Deputy King Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, his royal highness 'Hailed the role of women in various domains in which they have proved their extraordinary ability to manage different businesses. He also urged them to create contact channels among Arab and US business women', Gulf Daily News.
The Bahrain summit, which builds on the previous success of Washington D.C. summit and the summit held in Jordan last February 2007, addresses the challenges faced by all women in business, and establishes connections on professional levels.
The summit programme included meetings with H.E. Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa and Sheikha Meriam Al Khalifa. Delegates visited the cultural and economic zones of Bahrain and participated in presentations and brainstorm sessions focusing on the exchange of business information and exports and joints ventures, as well as the capitalisation on existing and potential business relationships between the delegates and the organisations they represent.
'The Women Business Leaders Summit has been a unique spot for the Arab business women leaders to exchange their experiences with their business counterparts from the Middle East and the US. The Arab women were historically good merchants and we know that borders frequently visited by traders are seldom in disputes. I would also like to thank the chairman of the Red Cross Ms Bonnie McElveen-Hunter who has inspired the group with her dedicated efforts and focus on business and women leadership. Women from Jordan represented the ICT sector through the participation of ESKADENIA Software and the Information Technology Association of Jordan (int@j), Bidaya Corporate Communications, the Pharmaceutical industry through the participation of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Jordan's reputable NGO INJAZ,' said Doha Abdelkhaleq, member of the board of directors of the Information Technology Association of Jordan int@j and Executive Director at ESKADENIA Software.
-- AMEINFO.COM
Friday, October 31, 2008
Kuwait: Women seek more judicial empowerment
Kuwaiti women representatives on Wednesday called for more judicial empowerment pursuant to the policy of their involvement in national development next to male peers.
The call was made by participants in the women's conference "Reality and Future," which wound up in Kuwait on Tuesday evening.
In its recommendations, the conference affirmed an opinion that women's judicial rights do not run counter to Islam, and that women proved themselves as judges in several Arab countries, including Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Yemen.
It recommended balanced representation for men and women in all apparatuses as long as they are equally efficient, urging mass media to favorably deal with such women rights in a bid to rectify misconceptions and misunderstanding on women issues.
Women should be entitled to the right of formulating and devising public policies so that they could become active in decision-making in all legislative and executive agencies.
A culture of about-turn and awareness is needed, legal illiteracy should be obliterated, and a cultural and knowledge atmosphere must be created for supporting women, the conferees said.
The conferees also called for setting up a shelter center for women who suffer domestic violence.
Professor of literature and criticism at the Kuwait University Dr. Seham Al-Fraih opined that comprehensive development cannot be achieved unless women are involved in the process.
She called for setting legal frameworks for protecting and safeguarding women and children's rights and for establishing rehabilitation centers for women and children who are victims of violence.
The Kuwaiti professor made the call during the final session of the conference, which touched upon political Islam and violence against women.
Writer Dr. Fatima Al-Ali addressed the session on women's experience in culture and literature, along with obstacles and barriers denying them access to the world of thought and culture, including political despotism, misconceptions, and more.
A congenial atmosphere ought to be provided for creating a generation of well-educated women intellectuals through efforts by cultural institutions and centers and by mass media, she said.
For his part, member of the National Assembly Saleh Al-Mulla called for distinguishing between Islam as a religion and political Islam as political thought advocated by some people.
He believed that political Islam challenged women's dignity and rights, slimmed their political role, and even failed to adopt plans targeting support for women.
The meeting, which kicked off earlier on Monday, was held under the aegis of First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
By Kawthar Al-Ghanim (With photos) KUWAIT, Oct 29 (KUNA)
The call was made by participants in the women's conference "Reality and Future," which wound up in Kuwait on Tuesday evening.
In its recommendations, the conference affirmed an opinion that women's judicial rights do not run counter to Islam, and that women proved themselves as judges in several Arab countries, including Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Yemen.
It recommended balanced representation for men and women in all apparatuses as long as they are equally efficient, urging mass media to favorably deal with such women rights in a bid to rectify misconceptions and misunderstanding on women issues.
Women should be entitled to the right of formulating and devising public policies so that they could become active in decision-making in all legislative and executive agencies.
A culture of about-turn and awareness is needed, legal illiteracy should be obliterated, and a cultural and knowledge atmosphere must be created for supporting women, the conferees said.
The conferees also called for setting up a shelter center for women who suffer domestic violence.
Professor of literature and criticism at the Kuwait University Dr. Seham Al-Fraih opined that comprehensive development cannot be achieved unless women are involved in the process.
She called for setting legal frameworks for protecting and safeguarding women and children's rights and for establishing rehabilitation centers for women and children who are victims of violence.
The Kuwaiti professor made the call during the final session of the conference, which touched upon political Islam and violence against women.
Writer Dr. Fatima Al-Ali addressed the session on women's experience in culture and literature, along with obstacles and barriers denying them access to the world of thought and culture, including political despotism, misconceptions, and more.
A congenial atmosphere ought to be provided for creating a generation of well-educated women intellectuals through efforts by cultural institutions and centers and by mass media, she said.
For his part, member of the National Assembly Saleh Al-Mulla called for distinguishing between Islam as a religion and political Islam as political thought advocated by some people.
He believed that political Islam challenged women's dignity and rights, slimmed their political role, and even failed to adopt plans targeting support for women.
The meeting, which kicked off earlier on Monday, was held under the aegis of First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.
By Kawthar Al-Ghanim (With photos) KUWAIT, Oct 29 (KUNA)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Lebanon: Women's forum in Beirut gets off to awkward start
Audience questions unanswered, interrupted
By Ghenwa Yehia
Special to The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The second annual New Arab Women's Forum (NAWF) began the first half of its panel discussions on Thursday at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. The purpose of NAWF is to create an open and honest environment in which to discuss the political, economical, social and cultural situations of the Arab woman in today's changing world. The forum brought together a select group of high-profile speakers and participants to share ideas and opinions on these issues, which were separated into several panel discussions. The topics for Thursday included: the Leadership Mystique; Women in Business; Women, Education and Technology; and Women in Politics.
Master of ceremonies George Kordahi, a celebrated TV presenter, was quick to start off the day on a positive note.
"It is high time that we start discussing the issues facing the Arab woman today in our changing world," he told the 200-plus members of the audience and journalists covering the event. "We can no longer ignore the situation ... so it's important that we start developing plans and strategies that enable women to improve their position in our societies in the future."
The opening ceremony included speeches by Nadine Abou Zaki, editor-in-chief of Al-Hasnaa magazine and NAWF executive officer; Hanna Sorour, director of the Department of Women's Affairs, at the Arab League; and Tammam Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Culture.
"Women are the crux of society," Salam said. "We are calling for the restoration of women's rights based on basic human's rights. We need equal rights in all areas."
An award ceremony honouring Education Minister Bahia Hariri, Princess Nouf bint Faisal bin Turki al-Saud, and Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi followed. Hariri and Ashrawi, who were in attendance, were met with thunderous applause when they accepted their awards.
"Equality and freedom are not gifts from men," Ashwari said after accepting her award. "They are a right of women to her from her society."
The spectacle of optimism and hopefulness ended with the opening ceremony.
The panel discussions began with noticeably smaller numbers of participants. And what was supposed to be an open forum often seemed more like a closed discussion between the experts in attendance. When it did come time for audience participation, participants were rushed due to a time shortage, and sometimes even cut off. Many audience questions were often answered vaguely or were left completely unanswered.
At one point, a Lebanese woman stood up and declared that the panelists were simply swapping their own personal success stories instead of "suggesting the types of requests and rights women need to make for their own improvement."
A Saudi woman followed, describing her own situation in her home country. "What is my solution?" she asked?
When solutions were offered or the discussion turned interesting, it was often hard to hear over various people talking on cell phones or to their neighbors.
At one point, an audience member turned around to confront noisemakers in the back of the room, only to find that the people in question were connected to a major sponsor.
Despite this, Abou Zaki said the fact that the forum was taking place, especially in Beirut, was a step in the right direction.
"Compared to other countries, Lebanon has achieved a lot concerning the issues of women's rights," she argued. "It is a country moving forward on the right track. But Lebanon, as well as all Arab countries, all have areas they need to improve."
The main point Abou Zaki stressed was that change and improvement would not happen overnight. "The forum acts as the beginning of a long-term plan for changing policies and providing solutions for Arab women," she said.
"The forum is an open, honest discussion," she added. "But change should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. Radical change could bring negative consequences. So here we are opening a discussion that hopefully will lead to change. NAWF is a positive first step."
Hanan Saab, founder, owner and managing director of Pharmamed and vice president of the Lebanese League for Women in Business, agrees with Abou Zaki.
She argued that the opportunity that the forum provides for networking is the key to bringing about change in unequal policies women face, such as gender stereotypes in the workforce, the education system and on a personal level at home.
"Collaboration between women in different sectors equals action," she said. "And with action we need commitment. Then we will begin to see the change."
The first forum was held last year in Dubai. This year's version is being held under the patronage of first lady Wafaa Michel Sleiman and sponsored by Al-Iktissad Wal-Amal Group, among many others.
By Ghenwa Yehia
Special to The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The second annual New Arab Women's Forum (NAWF) began the first half of its panel discussions on Thursday at the InterContinental Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. The purpose of NAWF is to create an open and honest environment in which to discuss the political, economical, social and cultural situations of the Arab woman in today's changing world. The forum brought together a select group of high-profile speakers and participants to share ideas and opinions on these issues, which were separated into several panel discussions. The topics for Thursday included: the Leadership Mystique; Women in Business; Women, Education and Technology; and Women in Politics.
Master of ceremonies George Kordahi, a celebrated TV presenter, was quick to start off the day on a positive note.
"It is high time that we start discussing the issues facing the Arab woman today in our changing world," he told the 200-plus members of the audience and journalists covering the event. "We can no longer ignore the situation ... so it's important that we start developing plans and strategies that enable women to improve their position in our societies in the future."
The opening ceremony included speeches by Nadine Abou Zaki, editor-in-chief of Al-Hasnaa magazine and NAWF executive officer; Hanna Sorour, director of the Department of Women's Affairs, at the Arab League; and Tammam Salam, Lebanon's Minister of Culture.
"Women are the crux of society," Salam said. "We are calling for the restoration of women's rights based on basic human's rights. We need equal rights in all areas."
An award ceremony honouring Education Minister Bahia Hariri, Princess Nouf bint Faisal bin Turki al-Saud, and Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi followed. Hariri and Ashrawi, who were in attendance, were met with thunderous applause when they accepted their awards.
"Equality and freedom are not gifts from men," Ashwari said after accepting her award. "They are a right of women to her from her society."
The spectacle of optimism and hopefulness ended with the opening ceremony.
The panel discussions began with noticeably smaller numbers of participants. And what was supposed to be an open forum often seemed more like a closed discussion between the experts in attendance. When it did come time for audience participation, participants were rushed due to a time shortage, and sometimes even cut off. Many audience questions were often answered vaguely or were left completely unanswered.
At one point, a Lebanese woman stood up and declared that the panelists were simply swapping their own personal success stories instead of "suggesting the types of requests and rights women need to make for their own improvement."
A Saudi woman followed, describing her own situation in her home country. "What is my solution?" she asked?
When solutions were offered or the discussion turned interesting, it was often hard to hear over various people talking on cell phones or to their neighbors.
At one point, an audience member turned around to confront noisemakers in the back of the room, only to find that the people in question were connected to a major sponsor.
Despite this, Abou Zaki said the fact that the forum was taking place, especially in Beirut, was a step in the right direction.
"Compared to other countries, Lebanon has achieved a lot concerning the issues of women's rights," she argued. "It is a country moving forward on the right track. But Lebanon, as well as all Arab countries, all have areas they need to improve."
The main point Abou Zaki stressed was that change and improvement would not happen overnight. "The forum acts as the beginning of a long-term plan for changing policies and providing solutions for Arab women," she said.
"The forum is an open, honest discussion," she added. "But change should be evolutionary, not revolutionary. Radical change could bring negative consequences. So here we are opening a discussion that hopefully will lead to change. NAWF is a positive first step."
Hanan Saab, founder, owner and managing director of Pharmamed and vice president of the Lebanese League for Women in Business, agrees with Abou Zaki.
She argued that the opportunity that the forum provides for networking is the key to bringing about change in unequal policies women face, such as gender stereotypes in the workforce, the education system and on a personal level at home.
"Collaboration between women in different sectors equals action," she said. "And with action we need commitment. Then we will begin to see the change."
The first forum was held last year in Dubai. This year's version is being held under the patronage of first lady Wafaa Michel Sleiman and sponsored by Al-Iktissad Wal-Amal Group, among many others.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Yemen: MPS say no to genital mutilation, 18 is minimum marriage age, juveniles cannot be punished as adults
SANA'A, June 24 — A two-day workshop in Parliament concluded that the minimum marriage age in Yemen should be 18, and the sponsors of both brides and grooms should be punished if they allow them to marry under this age.
The workshop’s participants also concluded that juvenile delinquents between the ages of 15 and 18 are not equal to adult criminals. They further recommended laws banning female genital mutilation.
The workshop covered three main areas: the criminality of juveniles, female genital mutilation, and the minimum age of marriage. These three subjects were chosen because the existing laws concerning them are not specific enough and are often ignored.
This workshop was arranged by Parliament, the Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Yemeni Network Combating Violence Against Women known as SHIMA, under the sponsorship of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), OXFAM International, and Save the Children, a worldwide children's rights organization. Attendees included members of the Sharia Committee, who matches the constitutional laws with Islamic sharia law, Parliament members (MPs), doctors and human rights activists.
“The main purpose of the workshop is to amend the laws that did not provide protection to children,” said Naseem Ur-Rehman, UNICEF's communications director.
Ur-Rehman said that he heard about Nojoud Al-Ahdal Nasser, the young girl who went to court to ask for a divorce from her almost 30-year-old husband. He added that there are many cases like Nojoud's which go unnoticed.
“We want to end the silent suffering,” he told the attendees.
In April, after Nojoud’s case was published in news sources around the world, the Safe Maternity Act presented by the health committee failed to pass in Parliament. The act included a minimum age of 18 for marriage, punishment for families who marry their children off earlier and a ban on genital mutilation.
The Sharia Committee refused the act because they said that the minimum age for marriage in Islam is not definite.
Parliament President Yahia Al-Ra'i and religious scholar Ahmed Abdul-Razaq Al-Rukaihi, who is also a member of the Sharia Committee, said that they will take these recommendations into account when drafting the laws.
Minimum age of Marriage
The suggestion to specify the marriage age faced more objections than the other two subjects addressed during the workshop. Specifically, the Sharia Committee found it difficult to define a specific minimum age of marriage. Hassan Al-Sheikh, a scholar and Sharia Committee member, said that he was confused after what he heard in the workshop.
“I am afraid that if we stop early marriage, we could create troubles for young people,” said Al-Sheikh.
Jabr Abdullah, a religious scholar, said that the ability to have sex could start from the age of nine. Law professor Ali Hassan Al-Sharafi told the scholars that nothing in the proposal should worry them.
He mentioned two main things about adopting a minimum age for marriage. First, he pointed out the dispute among Islamic scholars about the acceptability of early marriage. “This is a good thing to use in our favor; we should consider the most suitable opinion,” said Al-Sharafi.
He added that in Islam, there are things considered mobah [neither forbidden nor obligated], which he said would include creating a minimum age for marriage. The attendees objected to the current law that states that the young girl can be married if she is ready for sex.
Attendees said that readiness is not measurable, and that young girls are vulnerable to exploitation.
Scholar Al-Rukaihi said that he was really moved when he understood the negative health impacts of early marriage brought up during the workshop, such as obstetric fistula [a common ailment among child brides who give birth that causes permanent incontinence and physical pain].
“Honestly, I was affected by what I saw,” he said.
Another attendee, Huda Al-Yafe’i, the head of the orphan sector in Al-Saleh Social Foundation for Development, said that legislators have to differentiate between early marriage and early pregnancy. “As a teacher, I have seen many girls who go astray and to stop them from marrying is not good.”
Others objected to the idea of differentiating between early marriage and early pregnancy because to control that is not attainable, and marriage is not limited to pregnancy. PM Shawqi Al-Qadhi said that marriage is not only about sex, it is a whole new life for girls who are often unprepared for its stresses.
Attendee Jamila Al-Ra’abi said that early marriage does not solve any problems, but rather creates more. “Early marriages makes lots of orphans, and causes a lot of pain for young mothers,” she said.
According to a study by the Gender Development Research and Studies Center in Sana’a University in 2005 early marriages trigger social, psychological and health problems like obstetric fistula, malnutrition, psychological trauma, maternal and child mortality. Early marriage also increases a girl’s vulnerability to domestic abuse by both the husband and her in-laws.
Early marriage forces girls to drop out of school, which dramatically affects the country's development as a whole. Other groups like the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have also condemned the practice. Criminal Responsibility: Criminal responsibility was discussed in two respects: legality and the religious background for lawmaking.
Al-Sharafi said that there is a difference between puberty and adulthood. Al-Sharafi and other attendees quoted the Qur’anic verse that says, “And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them.”
They said that this verse showed that puberty does not mean adulthood, and criminal responsibility should be measured this way. A juvenile offender at the age of 15 can be punished with between 10 to 20 years in prison for a crime, but cannot be executed for murder.
“His young age should be taken as an extenuating circumstance in major crimes, and he should get half the sentence for minor ones,” said Al-Sharafi.
Scholar Al-Rukaihi objected to this, saying that some people might use juveniles to kill others. Al-Qadhi responded that he understood the fears of the religious scholars, but juveniles shouldn't be punished for others' mistakes.
Al-Sharafi agreed that the one who incited the child to commit a crime should be punished as if he was the perpetrator.
Genital Mutilation
Despite the fact that most of the PMs said that they did not believe that Yemenis perform female genital mutilation, the Health Survey of the Yemeni Family, conducted by the government in 2003, showed that over 21 percent of Yemeni women are exposed to this extremely harmful practice.
Yemen has five main governorates that still perform female genital mutilation: Hodeidah (97.3 percent), Mahrah (96.6 percent), Hadhramout (96.5 percent), Aden (82.2 percent), and Sana’a Capital Secretariat (45.5 percent).
“I do not think that genital mutilation is rampant, but it is neither forbidden nor an obligation and therefore it is acceptable if we stop doing it to prevent the damage,” said Al-Sheikh.
Genital mutilation has dangerous consequences for female reproductive health in both the short- and long-term, according to the UNFPA and the WHO, among a large number of non-governmental organizations.
By: Kawkab Al-Thaibani For the Yemen Times
The workshop’s participants also concluded that juvenile delinquents between the ages of 15 and 18 are not equal to adult criminals. They further recommended laws banning female genital mutilation.
The workshop covered three main areas: the criminality of juveniles, female genital mutilation, and the minimum age of marriage. These three subjects were chosen because the existing laws concerning them are not specific enough and are often ignored.
This workshop was arranged by Parliament, the Higher Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Yemeni Network Combating Violence Against Women known as SHIMA, under the sponsorship of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), OXFAM International, and Save the Children, a worldwide children's rights organization. Attendees included members of the Sharia Committee, who matches the constitutional laws with Islamic sharia law, Parliament members (MPs), doctors and human rights activists.
“The main purpose of the workshop is to amend the laws that did not provide protection to children,” said Naseem Ur-Rehman, UNICEF's communications director.
Ur-Rehman said that he heard about Nojoud Al-Ahdal Nasser, the young girl who went to court to ask for a divorce from her almost 30-year-old husband. He added that there are many cases like Nojoud's which go unnoticed.
“We want to end the silent suffering,” he told the attendees.
In April, after Nojoud’s case was published in news sources around the world, the Safe Maternity Act presented by the health committee failed to pass in Parliament. The act included a minimum age of 18 for marriage, punishment for families who marry their children off earlier and a ban on genital mutilation.
The Sharia Committee refused the act because they said that the minimum age for marriage in Islam is not definite.
Parliament President Yahia Al-Ra'i and religious scholar Ahmed Abdul-Razaq Al-Rukaihi, who is also a member of the Sharia Committee, said that they will take these recommendations into account when drafting the laws.
Minimum age of Marriage
The suggestion to specify the marriage age faced more objections than the other two subjects addressed during the workshop. Specifically, the Sharia Committee found it difficult to define a specific minimum age of marriage. Hassan Al-Sheikh, a scholar and Sharia Committee member, said that he was confused after what he heard in the workshop.
“I am afraid that if we stop early marriage, we could create troubles for young people,” said Al-Sheikh.
Jabr Abdullah, a religious scholar, said that the ability to have sex could start from the age of nine. Law professor Ali Hassan Al-Sharafi told the scholars that nothing in the proposal should worry them.
He mentioned two main things about adopting a minimum age for marriage. First, he pointed out the dispute among Islamic scholars about the acceptability of early marriage. “This is a good thing to use in our favor; we should consider the most suitable opinion,” said Al-Sharafi.
He added that in Islam, there are things considered mobah [neither forbidden nor obligated], which he said would include creating a minimum age for marriage. The attendees objected to the current law that states that the young girl can be married if she is ready for sex.
Attendees said that readiness is not measurable, and that young girls are vulnerable to exploitation.
Scholar Al-Rukaihi said that he was really moved when he understood the negative health impacts of early marriage brought up during the workshop, such as obstetric fistula [a common ailment among child brides who give birth that causes permanent incontinence and physical pain].
“Honestly, I was affected by what I saw,” he said.
Another attendee, Huda Al-Yafe’i, the head of the orphan sector in Al-Saleh Social Foundation for Development, said that legislators have to differentiate between early marriage and early pregnancy. “As a teacher, I have seen many girls who go astray and to stop them from marrying is not good.”
Others objected to the idea of differentiating between early marriage and early pregnancy because to control that is not attainable, and marriage is not limited to pregnancy. PM Shawqi Al-Qadhi said that marriage is not only about sex, it is a whole new life for girls who are often unprepared for its stresses.
Attendee Jamila Al-Ra’abi said that early marriage does not solve any problems, but rather creates more. “Early marriages makes lots of orphans, and causes a lot of pain for young mothers,” she said.
According to a study by the Gender Development Research and Studies Center in Sana’a University in 2005 early marriages trigger social, psychological and health problems like obstetric fistula, malnutrition, psychological trauma, maternal and child mortality. Early marriage also increases a girl’s vulnerability to domestic abuse by both the husband and her in-laws.
Early marriage forces girls to drop out of school, which dramatically affects the country's development as a whole. Other groups like the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have also condemned the practice. Criminal Responsibility: Criminal responsibility was discussed in two respects: legality and the religious background for lawmaking.
Al-Sharafi said that there is a difference between puberty and adulthood. Al-Sharafi and other attendees quoted the Qur’anic verse that says, “And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgment in them, release their property to them.”
They said that this verse showed that puberty does not mean adulthood, and criminal responsibility should be measured this way. A juvenile offender at the age of 15 can be punished with between 10 to 20 years in prison for a crime, but cannot be executed for murder.
“His young age should be taken as an extenuating circumstance in major crimes, and he should get half the sentence for minor ones,” said Al-Sharafi.
Scholar Al-Rukaihi objected to this, saying that some people might use juveniles to kill others. Al-Qadhi responded that he understood the fears of the religious scholars, but juveniles shouldn't be punished for others' mistakes.
Al-Sharafi agreed that the one who incited the child to commit a crime should be punished as if he was the perpetrator.
Genital Mutilation
Despite the fact that most of the PMs said that they did not believe that Yemenis perform female genital mutilation, the Health Survey of the Yemeni Family, conducted by the government in 2003, showed that over 21 percent of Yemeni women are exposed to this extremely harmful practice.
Yemen has five main governorates that still perform female genital mutilation: Hodeidah (97.3 percent), Mahrah (96.6 percent), Hadhramout (96.5 percent), Aden (82.2 percent), and Sana’a Capital Secretariat (45.5 percent).
“I do not think that genital mutilation is rampant, but it is neither forbidden nor an obligation and therefore it is acceptable if we stop doing it to prevent the damage,” said Al-Sheikh.
Genital mutilation has dangerous consequences for female reproductive health in both the short- and long-term, according to the UNFPA and the WHO, among a large number of non-governmental organizations.
By: Kawkab Al-Thaibani For the Yemen Times
Monday, June 23, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Knowledge forum opens in Madinah
MADINAH: Madinah Governor Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed opened an international knowledge forum here yesterday and emphasized Saudi Arabia's efforts to further enhance its investment climate and create more educational and training opportunities to its citizens.
Addressing the opening session, Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), stressed his organization's strategy to attract international investment to knowledge-based industries at Madinah's Knowledge Economic City (KEC).
KEC also aims at attracting leading scientific institutions and Muslim scientists and intellectuals from different parts of the world to Madinah, he said. "KEC is set to become a major driving force of the national economy. It will also create more job opportunities for Saudis," he added.
Prominent scientists from across the world - including Dr. Afzal Hossain and Stein Sture from the United States, Professor Sar Sardy from Indonesia, Dr. Musa M. Nordin from Malaysia and Dr. Anis Ahmed from Pakistan - are attending the conference, entitled "Noor" (Light).
"The primary objective of the annual forum is to promote human civilization from the land of Madinah by attracting investors, scientists, scholars and pioneer institutions to the Knowledge Economic City, which is set to become an international center for knowledge," SAGIA officials said.
Major topics to be discussed at the forum include high-tech innovation and creativity in the Muslim world, strategies to decrease genetic disorders, knowledge infrastructure development through engineering and information and communications technology (ICT), and bioinformatics-based investment in the Kingdom.
The 24 speakers also include four women - Sabeeha Rehman, president and co-founder of the National Autism Association in New York; Dr. Naima Abdel Ghani, director of the Medical Clinic for Preventive Medicine, Immunotherapy and Anti-Aging Medicine in Florida; Arfa Khan, professor of radiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York; and Dr. Khadijah Shamsuddin, a researcher on maternal health, child health, reproductive health and women's cancers in Malaysia.
-- Arab News
Addressing the opening session, Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), stressed his organization's strategy to attract international investment to knowledge-based industries at Madinah's Knowledge Economic City (KEC).
KEC also aims at attracting leading scientific institutions and Muslim scientists and intellectuals from different parts of the world to Madinah, he said. "KEC is set to become a major driving force of the national economy. It will also create more job opportunities for Saudis," he added.
Prominent scientists from across the world - including Dr. Afzal Hossain and Stein Sture from the United States, Professor Sar Sardy from Indonesia, Dr. Musa M. Nordin from Malaysia and Dr. Anis Ahmed from Pakistan - are attending the conference, entitled "Noor" (Light).
"The primary objective of the annual forum is to promote human civilization from the land of Madinah by attracting investors, scientists, scholars and pioneer institutions to the Knowledge Economic City, which is set to become an international center for knowledge," SAGIA officials said.
Major topics to be discussed at the forum include high-tech innovation and creativity in the Muslim world, strategies to decrease genetic disorders, knowledge infrastructure development through engineering and information and communications technology (ICT), and bioinformatics-based investment in the Kingdom.
The 24 speakers also include four women - Sabeeha Rehman, president and co-founder of the National Autism Association in New York; Dr. Naima Abdel Ghani, director of the Medical Clinic for Preventive Medicine, Immunotherapy and Anti-Aging Medicine in Florida; Arfa Khan, professor of radiology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York; and Dr. Khadijah Shamsuddin, a researcher on maternal health, child health, reproductive health and women's cancers in Malaysia.
-- Arab News
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Yemen: Girls education top priority
More than 400 women of the Yemen Women Union (YWU) called for improvement in girls education aiming to increase by 36 percent by 2012. This came during the Union’s Second General Conference held on Monday, June 16 at the 22 May Hall in Sana’a.
The 400 participants are representing 46 thousand members of the union branches in the 22 Yemeni governorates. The conference aims to elect a chairwoman and 121 female members for the Union’s central council for the next four years as well as electing an administrative board of the Union’s executive office and a committee of monitoring and inspection.
The conference also evaluates accomplishments achieved by Yemeni women along the past four years in addition to discussing the Union’s financial and administrative reports. It also holds a workshop on women’s rights in reproductive health. Union’s branches had conducted their elections in the past two months.
Around 18 female representatives of various Arab and foreign countries have also participated in the conference exchanging experiences in different fields. The chairwomen of the YWU, Dr. Ramzia al-Eryany revealed in a press conference held on Sunday, the Union’s new plan for preparing a strategy for the next four years. According to Dr. al-Eryany, the plan aims to raise the rate of girls’ education to 35 percent, to reduce the illiteracy among Yemeni women and to establish more branches in other three governorates. The union has 145 centers for illiteracy eradication and it seeks to establish more centers in the different governorates.
“Yemen needs to empower women economically, socially and politically for achieving comprehensive development. Thus, we try to struggle against all kinds of discrimination against women, and to apply Islamic teachings which respect to women and their rights,” said Dr. al-Eryany.
She also indicated that the YWU has also tried to raise people’s awareness on kidnapping tourists through producing films, explaining dangers of such bad phenomenon and its consequences. The Vice President, Abdrabu Mansour Hadi, said that Yemeni women have a lot of rights which empower them to attain many achievements in different fields.
“Within the great support for women, the political leadership promised to give 15 percent of the parliament and local councils seats for women in the upcoming elections,” he said in the opening ceremony of the conference’s works.
YWU is one of the oldest and largest volunteer civil society organizations in Yemen. It is an independent organization and it represents all women in Yemen. The YWU’s ambition is to improve social and economic conditions for women. It is trying to guarantee justice for women and empower them so they would be able to fight for their rights and to participate effectively as partners in the developmental process.
YWU, which was formed in 1990, has a Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. It is also where women go when they need help, whether legal or social help. It is also a supporter of the developmental and democratic participation of women and it is helping women all over Yemen to obtain their constitutional and legislatives rights that the Yemeni laws entitle them to have.
- Yemen Observer
The 400 participants are representing 46 thousand members of the union branches in the 22 Yemeni governorates. The conference aims to elect a chairwoman and 121 female members for the Union’s central council for the next four years as well as electing an administrative board of the Union’s executive office and a committee of monitoring and inspection.
The conference also evaluates accomplishments achieved by Yemeni women along the past four years in addition to discussing the Union’s financial and administrative reports. It also holds a workshop on women’s rights in reproductive health. Union’s branches had conducted their elections in the past two months.
Around 18 female representatives of various Arab and foreign countries have also participated in the conference exchanging experiences in different fields. The chairwomen of the YWU, Dr. Ramzia al-Eryany revealed in a press conference held on Sunday, the Union’s new plan for preparing a strategy for the next four years. According to Dr. al-Eryany, the plan aims to raise the rate of girls’ education to 35 percent, to reduce the illiteracy among Yemeni women and to establish more branches in other three governorates. The union has 145 centers for illiteracy eradication and it seeks to establish more centers in the different governorates.
“Yemen needs to empower women economically, socially and politically for achieving comprehensive development. Thus, we try to struggle against all kinds of discrimination against women, and to apply Islamic teachings which respect to women and their rights,” said Dr. al-Eryany.
She also indicated that the YWU has also tried to raise people’s awareness on kidnapping tourists through producing films, explaining dangers of such bad phenomenon and its consequences. The Vice President, Abdrabu Mansour Hadi, said that Yemeni women have a lot of rights which empower them to attain many achievements in different fields.
“Within the great support for women, the political leadership promised to give 15 percent of the parliament and local councils seats for women in the upcoming elections,” he said in the opening ceremony of the conference’s works.
YWU is one of the oldest and largest volunteer civil society organizations in Yemen. It is an independent organization and it represents all women in Yemen. The YWU’s ambition is to improve social and economic conditions for women. It is trying to guarantee justice for women and empower them so they would be able to fight for their rights and to participate effectively as partners in the developmental process.
YWU, which was formed in 1990, has a Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. It is also where women go when they need help, whether legal or social help. It is also a supporter of the developmental and democratic participation of women and it is helping women all over Yemen to obtain their constitutional and legislatives rights that the Yemeni laws entitle them to have.
- Yemen Observer
Monday, June 16, 2008
Jordan: Stakeholders focus on improving women’s health across the region
AMMAN - Dozens of stakeholders are gathering in the capital this week to explore ways to enhance women’s and reproductive health efforts in the region.
In a workshop entitled, “Sharing Experiences and Learning from Successful Practices in Islamic Region”, which opened yesterday, participants will share their experiences, challenges and successes in implementing such projects in Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Minister of Health Salah Mawajdeh, Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Shigenobu Kato, and officials from the Higher Population Council and the Jordanian National Commission for Women attended the opening session yesterday, which focused on improving women’s health across the region and how to duplicate successful efforts guided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In particular, participants highlighted the success of a joint project entitled, “Enhancing Self-Empowerment of Rural Women in Karak- with a Reproductive Health Focus”, which was applied in the governorate by JICA and the Ministry of Health between 1997 and 2006.
In a sign of the project’s effectiveness, the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, released by the Department of Statistics last month, indicated that fertility rates in Karak Governorate stood at 3.2 births per woman in 2007, the lowest among the country’s governorates.
The difference is even more significant when compared to 4 births per woman recorded in Maan and Aqaba, JICA officials pointed out.
In light of success of the Karak project, JICA is now looking to expand further into the southern region, reaching out to six communities classified as poverty pockets in Maan and Aqaba, in an effort to promote family planning and lower fertility rates by 2011, JICA officials added.
The project has employed some 62 health assistants in Karak, Tafileh, Amman and Aqaba and by the conclusion of the third phase, will have covered 76 health centres, according to JICA.
The project is also currently drawing up manuals and training nurses in reproductive health in order to better serve their local communities.
The workshop, which will run until Thursday, will also take participants on field visits to health centres in the south of the Kingdom to see firsthand the programme in action.
JICA, an independent Japanese governmental agency, aids the Kingdom in the sectors of tourism development, environmental protection, water resource management, youth, social welfare and health.
By Taylor Luck, Jordan Times
In a workshop entitled, “Sharing Experiences and Learning from Successful Practices in Islamic Region”, which opened yesterday, participants will share their experiences, challenges and successes in implementing such projects in Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Minister of Health Salah Mawajdeh, Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Shigenobu Kato, and officials from the Higher Population Council and the Jordanian National Commission for Women attended the opening session yesterday, which focused on improving women’s health across the region and how to duplicate successful efforts guided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In particular, participants highlighted the success of a joint project entitled, “Enhancing Self-Empowerment of Rural Women in Karak- with a Reproductive Health Focus”, which was applied in the governorate by JICA and the Ministry of Health between 1997 and 2006.
In a sign of the project’s effectiveness, the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, released by the Department of Statistics last month, indicated that fertility rates in Karak Governorate stood at 3.2 births per woman in 2007, the lowest among the country’s governorates.
The difference is even more significant when compared to 4 births per woman recorded in Maan and Aqaba, JICA officials pointed out.
In light of success of the Karak project, JICA is now looking to expand further into the southern region, reaching out to six communities classified as poverty pockets in Maan and Aqaba, in an effort to promote family planning and lower fertility rates by 2011, JICA officials added.
The project has employed some 62 health assistants in Karak, Tafileh, Amman and Aqaba and by the conclusion of the third phase, will have covered 76 health centres, according to JICA.
The project is also currently drawing up manuals and training nurses in reproductive health in order to better serve their local communities.
The workshop, which will run until Thursday, will also take participants on field visits to health centres in the south of the Kingdom to see firsthand the programme in action.
JICA, an independent Japanese governmental agency, aids the Kingdom in the sectors of tourism development, environmental protection, water resource management, youth, social welfare and health.
By Taylor Luck, Jordan Times
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Yemen: Women increase their political participation
The Minister of Local Administration, Abdul-Qader Hilal, revealed the Ministry’s plan to appoint five women as deputies and assistant deputy governors in Sana’a, Aden, Ibb, Taiz and Hudeidah, in a workshop held on Wednesday.
“The national strategy of the local authority doesn’t distinguish between men and women. It deals with all as Yemeni citizens who try to achieve comprehensive development,” he said.
Hilal also emphasized the importance of the workshop in increasing Yemeni women’s political participation. “Taking women as partners in local governance and listening to their viewpoints is strong evidence on the awareness of the political leadership over the woman’s important role in developing this society.”
“The Ministry recently decided to pay more attention to women by making them participate in the elections as candidates for the governor’s position. There were not any bonds to prevent any woman from participating in these elections. Instead, the laws were very clear in giving women all rights to share in such elections,” the Minister of Local Administration said.
The Equal Chances-Women in Development project, funded by the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) is also supporting the Yemeni government to deal with this issue, drafting laws and executive orders together with the Ministry of Local Administration.
“The project has been working to prepare, train and qualify the female officials to work as one team. We have been also working to comprehensively improve women economically, politically, and socially to be able to participate in making decisions,” said Abdul-Was’e al-Saqqaf, a representative of the GTZ. “Such thing could be done through a strategic partnership to exchange the experiences and abilities with the Ministry of the Local Administration.”
According to Dr. Khadija Radman, Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, the workshop was conducted to clarify the roles of the women’s units in the different ministries within the decentralized system, to improve the coordination and cooperation between these units in the different ministries.
-- Yemen Observer
“The national strategy of the local authority doesn’t distinguish between men and women. It deals with all as Yemeni citizens who try to achieve comprehensive development,” he said.
Hilal also emphasized the importance of the workshop in increasing Yemeni women’s political participation. “Taking women as partners in local governance and listening to their viewpoints is strong evidence on the awareness of the political leadership over the woman’s important role in developing this society.”
“The Ministry recently decided to pay more attention to women by making them participate in the elections as candidates for the governor’s position. There were not any bonds to prevent any woman from participating in these elections. Instead, the laws were very clear in giving women all rights to share in such elections,” the Minister of Local Administration said.
The Equal Chances-Women in Development project, funded by the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ) is also supporting the Yemeni government to deal with this issue, drafting laws and executive orders together with the Ministry of Local Administration.
“The project has been working to prepare, train and qualify the female officials to work as one team. We have been also working to comprehensively improve women economically, politically, and socially to be able to participate in making decisions,” said Abdul-Was’e al-Saqqaf, a representative of the GTZ. “Such thing could be done through a strategic partnership to exchange the experiences and abilities with the Ministry of the Local Administration.”
According to Dr. Khadija Radman, Deputy Minister for Women’s Affairs, the workshop was conducted to clarify the roles of the women’s units in the different ministries within the decentralized system, to improve the coordination and cooperation between these units in the different ministries.
-- Yemen Observer
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Jordan: MEPI to carry out practical training for participants
The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) announced on Wednesday plans to carry out practical training for participants and to expand its activities and objectives to achieve more success stories.
MEPI is the principal US Department of State initiative to support democratic reforms and achieve prosperous societies in the Middle East and North Africa.
David Hale, US ambassador to Jordan, highlighted the significance of the programme in supporting economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the region.
In a speech concluding the event, he called on participants to continue the hard work as leaders towards creating a prosperous future for the region.
“A few years ago, it was hard to organise such a conference because it was hard to find young activists and leaders; but nowadays things have changed,” he said.
Greg Howell, from the US Department of State’s MEPI, said the programme will organise intensive activities on women empowerment in civil society and the economy.
MEPI seeks to support women reformers across the region in their efforts to achieve full participation in society, Howell added, noting that the programme aims to address cultural, legal, economic and political barriers that women encounter.
Mona Mourad, 27, a project manager for a software engineering company in Lebanon, who joined The Legal and Business Fellowship Programme (LBFP) in 2007, told The Jordan Times that through exercises she learned the skills of how to lead a company.
“Although I gained experience, the programme could have been better. Due to the large number of participants, I could not meet more executives,” she said.
Mourad indicated that the conference gave her the opportunity to develop business and personal relationships as well as the chance to exchange ideas with her fellow participants.
According to Nisreen Musleh,32, from Palestine, the MEPI expanded her networking and improved her management skills through the training sessions.
Musleh, who runs her own training and consultancy company and who joined the LBFP in 2007, said that during the event, she met people from her country and they have future cooperative plans.
Another participant in the programme who has become an advocate for women’s rights in her country, is Manal Hussaini from Kuwait.
The 43-year old consultant engineer at the Kuwait Municipality and the owner of a medical supplies company, started with MEPI in 2005 during a conference for Arab women in Tunisia.
Besides the experience the programme offers on women’s rights, MEPI also developed the participants skills in business and showed the way to apply American best practices in home countries, Hussaini said.
Having participated in several workshops with Beyster Institute, she has launched an awareness campaign on women’s rights targeting university students.
“This project has opened the door for me to be involved in political activities and I worked as a campaign manager for a parliament candidate who was a women’s affairs activist,” she indicated.
Hussaini did not rule out contesting the parliamentarian elections in Kuwait in the future stressing the need to work on changing the perception of people to accept women in parliament.
MEPI is the principal US Department of State initiative to support democratic reforms and achieve prosperous societies in the Middle East and North Africa.
David Hale, US ambassador to Jordan, highlighted the significance of the programme in supporting economic, political, and educational reform efforts in the region.
In a speech concluding the event, he called on participants to continue the hard work as leaders towards creating a prosperous future for the region.
“A few years ago, it was hard to organise such a conference because it was hard to find young activists and leaders; but nowadays things have changed,” he said.
Greg Howell, from the US Department of State’s MEPI, said the programme will organise intensive activities on women empowerment in civil society and the economy.
MEPI seeks to support women reformers across the region in their efforts to achieve full participation in society, Howell added, noting that the programme aims to address cultural, legal, economic and political barriers that women encounter.
Mona Mourad, 27, a project manager for a software engineering company in Lebanon, who joined The Legal and Business Fellowship Programme (LBFP) in 2007, told The Jordan Times that through exercises she learned the skills of how to lead a company.
“Although I gained experience, the programme could have been better. Due to the large number of participants, I could not meet more executives,” she said.
Mourad indicated that the conference gave her the opportunity to develop business and personal relationships as well as the chance to exchange ideas with her fellow participants.
According to Nisreen Musleh,32, from Palestine, the MEPI expanded her networking and improved her management skills through the training sessions.
Musleh, who runs her own training and consultancy company and who joined the LBFP in 2007, said that during the event, she met people from her country and they have future cooperative plans.
Another participant in the programme who has become an advocate for women’s rights in her country, is Manal Hussaini from Kuwait.
The 43-year old consultant engineer at the Kuwait Municipality and the owner of a medical supplies company, started with MEPI in 2005 during a conference for Arab women in Tunisia.
Besides the experience the programme offers on women’s rights, MEPI also developed the participants skills in business and showed the way to apply American best practices in home countries, Hussaini said.
Having participated in several workshops with Beyster Institute, she has launched an awareness campaign on women’s rights targeting university students.
“This project has opened the door for me to be involved in political activities and I worked as a campaign manager for a parliament candidate who was a women’s affairs activist,” she indicated.
Hussaini did not rule out contesting the parliamentarian elections in Kuwait in the future stressing the need to work on changing the perception of people to accept women in parliament.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bahrain: Wake-up call to Bahraini women
YOUR country needs you, is the message that went out to women from Bahrain's First Lady yesterday.
Women hold the keys, alongside men, to the country's development, said Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women (SWC).
She was speaking at the opening of the two-day Gender Mainstreaming in Development conference, at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention Centre.
The conference, organised by the SCW under His Majesty's patronage, aims to draw up a national plan to empower Bahraini women.
It has brought together 211 participants from government ministries, parliament, the Shura Council, civil societies, the private sector, media, religious scholars and youth societies.
The conference is being attended by representatives from the Arab Woman's Organisation, Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations, United Nations Development Programme, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Development Fund for Women, Islamic Development Bank, Al Hariri Organisation from Lebanon, the UAE General Women's Union and the National Council for Women in Egypt.
"Empowering Bahraini women and making them equal to men makes Bahrain a true model in respecting the Sharia-compliant principles and the need to develop by balancing the society," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
She said the conference demonstrated the country's interest in finding ways to bring women into the development process and to achieve comprehensive human development.
"The SCW is meeting its national responsibility in establishing a base for this initiative, by providing all the support to create a building and implementation system," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
"This will allow certain bodies in the country, especially parliament and Shura Council, to work towards meeting women's needs in legislation, systems, programmes and work plans."
She said that the SCW called upon the government and the Economic Development Board to draw up a clear national plan, which will guarantee a successful transformation for Bahrain. "I hope that this conference will lead us to a just co-operation that will begin to preserve and provide rights and stability to women and children, in addition to their continuous role in supporting men," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
Gulf Daily News, By Rasha Al Gahtani
Women hold the keys, alongside men, to the country's development, said Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women (SWC).
She was speaking at the opening of the two-day Gender Mainstreaming in Development conference, at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf International Convention Centre.
The conference, organised by the SCW under His Majesty's patronage, aims to draw up a national plan to empower Bahraini women.
It has brought together 211 participants from government ministries, parliament, the Shura Council, civil societies, the private sector, media, religious scholars and youth societies.
The conference is being attended by representatives from the Arab Woman's Organisation, Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations, United Nations Development Programme, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Development Fund for Women, Islamic Development Bank, Al Hariri Organisation from Lebanon, the UAE General Women's Union and the National Council for Women in Egypt.
"Empowering Bahraini women and making them equal to men makes Bahrain a true model in respecting the Sharia-compliant principles and the need to develop by balancing the society," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
She said the conference demonstrated the country's interest in finding ways to bring women into the development process and to achieve comprehensive human development.
"The SCW is meeting its national responsibility in establishing a base for this initiative, by providing all the support to create a building and implementation system," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
"This will allow certain bodies in the country, especially parliament and Shura Council, to work towards meeting women's needs in legislation, systems, programmes and work plans."
She said that the SCW called upon the government and the Economic Development Board to draw up a clear national plan, which will guarantee a successful transformation for Bahrain. "I hope that this conference will lead us to a just co-operation that will begin to preserve and provide rights and stability to women and children, in addition to their continuous role in supporting men," said Shaikha Sabeeka.
Gulf Daily News, By Rasha Al Gahtani
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Saudi Gazette: Muslim World League: Women in future dialogues
There will be programs and projects for dialogue and women will be allowed to contribute to the dialogue in affairs of their concern, said Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulmohsen Al-Turki, Secretary General of the Muslim World League.
The present goal is to formulate strategic programs and projects of future dialogue, Dr. Al-Turki said while addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the international Islamic conference here Friday. Underlining the importance of clarifying the Islamic vision on the conflict between civilizations, he said Islam believes that civilizations should cooperate and integrate, and each civilization should benefit from others.
Dr. Al-Turki said King Abdullah International Center for Civilizations and King Abdullah International Prize for Civilization Dialogue will be instituted within the framework of a proposal made at the conference.
The present goal is to formulate strategic programs and projects of future dialogue, Dr. Al-Turki said while addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the international Islamic conference here Friday. Underlining the importance of clarifying the Islamic vision on the conflict between civilizations, he said Islam believes that civilizations should cooperate and integrate, and each civilization should benefit from others.
Dr. Al-Turki said King Abdullah International Center for Civilizations and King Abdullah International Prize for Civilization Dialogue will be instituted within the framework of a proposal made at the conference.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bahrain: Drive to close gender gap
A NATIONAL plan to further empower Bahraini women will be the focus of a major conference next week. The two-day National Conference on Gender Mainstreaming in Development opens at the Gulf Hotel's Gulf Convention Centre on Monday.
It is being organised by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) which has come up with a number of proposals, SCW secretary general Dr Lulwa Al Awadhi revealed yesterday.
Recommendations to come of the conference could eventually become law, she said.
"It includes activities focused on gender mainstreaming and improved access to justice, as well as increasing women's political and economic participation," she said at a Press conference yesterday.
"The conference will provide awareness and a definition on the terminology of gender."
The event is taking place under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and will feature 211 participants from government ministries, parliament, the Shura Council, civil societies, the private sector, media, religious scholars and youth societies.
The conference will also be attended by representatives from the Arab Woman's Organisation, Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations, United Nations Development Programme, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Development Fund for Women, Islamic Development Bank, Al Hariri Organisation from Lebanon, the UAE General Women's Union and the National Council for Women in Egypt.
"It will consist of lectures and panel discussions by more than 10 internationally renowned speakers and experts," said Dr Al Awadhi.
The speakers will cover topics on gender mainstreaming in Islam and in national plans and policies, indicators and statistics on gender, ways to raise awareness on gender and co-operation in financing and implementation.
"The conference will also showcase a number of Arab experiments, which will indicate the strong and weak factors in gender mainstreaming," she said.
"These experiments will help Bahrain know the challenges that face this programme and in turn find solutions to make it better."
By RASHA AL QAHTANI, Gulf Daily News
It is being organised by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) which has come up with a number of proposals, SCW secretary general Dr Lulwa Al Awadhi revealed yesterday.
Recommendations to come of the conference could eventually become law, she said.
"It includes activities focused on gender mainstreaming and improved access to justice, as well as increasing women's political and economic participation," she said at a Press conference yesterday.
"The conference will provide awareness and a definition on the terminology of gender."
The event is taking place under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and will feature 211 participants from government ministries, parliament, the Shura Council, civil societies, the private sector, media, religious scholars and youth societies.
The conference will also be attended by representatives from the Arab Woman's Organisation, Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisations, United Nations Development Programme, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Development Fund for Women, Islamic Development Bank, Al Hariri Organisation from Lebanon, the UAE General Women's Union and the National Council for Women in Egypt.
"It will consist of lectures and panel discussions by more than 10 internationally renowned speakers and experts," said Dr Al Awadhi.
The speakers will cover topics on gender mainstreaming in Islam and in national plans and policies, indicators and statistics on gender, ways to raise awareness on gender and co-operation in financing and implementation.
"The conference will also showcase a number of Arab experiments, which will indicate the strong and weak factors in gender mainstreaming," she said.
"These experiments will help Bahrain know the challenges that face this programme and in turn find solutions to make it better."
By RASHA AL QAHTANI, Gulf Daily News
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
UAE: Forum to support young business women in UAE
DUBAI — The Dubai Women’s Association will launch the first forum for supporting small business projects for girls under the patronage of Shaikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
During the two-day conference to be held on June 1 and 2, six papers will be presented on issues pertaining to national identity, Khalifa Fund for supporting young women’s business projects as well as other topics that encourage girls to establish small business projects to contribute to country's development.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Dr Shaikha Afra bint Hasher Al Maktoum, of DWA, said that the conference aims at encouraging young women to establish their own small business projects to help engage their spare time in useful things that will benefit them and their families.
The encouragement also will enhance their creative skills and ability for perfect planning as well to prepare them face the difficulties and challenges of life.
Umm Rashid, Member of Board council of DWA and head of Hour Centre of DWA, said that the centre made great efforts to attract young national women and improve their skills to become leaders and owners of businesses in the future.
We believe that an Emirati girl has a strong will power and great interest in contributing to the country's development.
-- Khaleej Times
During the two-day conference to be held on June 1 and 2, six papers will be presented on issues pertaining to national identity, Khalifa Fund for supporting young women’s business projects as well as other topics that encourage girls to establish small business projects to contribute to country's development.
Addressing a Press conference yesterday, Dr Shaikha Afra bint Hasher Al Maktoum, of DWA, said that the conference aims at encouraging young women to establish their own small business projects to help engage their spare time in useful things that will benefit them and their families.
The encouragement also will enhance their creative skills and ability for perfect planning as well to prepare them face the difficulties and challenges of life.
Umm Rashid, Member of Board council of DWA and head of Hour Centre of DWA, said that the centre made great efforts to attract young national women and improve their skills to become leaders and owners of businesses in the future.
We believe that an Emirati girl has a strong will power and great interest in contributing to the country's development.
-- Khaleej Times
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Al-Angari Blames Ignorance of Rights for Women’s Plight
Ignorance, lack of awareness about their rights and lack of appreciation by society are why Saudi women are in their current situation.
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women – one or two with their children – continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men – this is a law – they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner – man or woman – must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children – custody and visitation rights – after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
-- Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
This was emphasized by Al-Jowhara Al-Angari, vice chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on Saturday night at a meeting organized by the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Basmah Omair, the center director, introduced Al-Angari and requested that all mobiles be placed on silent mode.
Al-Angari’s wide-ranging discussion covered most aspects concerning women and she exhorted them to take an active role in making a difference. “When a door is locked, it is not going to open on its own. You’ve got to bang on it, on and on for it to open,” said Al-Angari. “Women are afflicted with ignorance. We can’t claim our rights unless we know them.”
Al-Angari said that women in Islam have legal, social, political and civil rights. Islamic tolerance should not be confused with social norms and traditions. Women in early Islam were recognized as individuals with rights and voices and they acted accordingly. She illustrated this with examples from Islamic history. Citing that history, she questioned where, in comparison, women are today.
“Women pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him). During the Al-Hudaybiya Treaty, the Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah for advice which he later took,” added Al-Angari. “Asma bint Abu Bakr (daughter of one of the Prophet’s companions) carried food and water on foot alone to the Prophet and her father when they took refuge in Thawr Cave, outside Makkah,” she cited as another example of women’s initiative during the Prophet’s time.
She urged the almost 600 women present to know their rights and ask for them.
As Al-Angari continued with the discussion, more women – one or two with their children – continued to join the session. As she spoke, every now and then “Bless her” or “May Allah give her life” could be heard among those seated. The discussion drew women from all levels of society.
In the middle of the discussion, a couple of mobiles rang and Basmah Omair repeated her request that all mobiles be put on silent mode. At this point in one of the front rows, an elderly woman whose mobile was disturbing the meeting fumbled briefly with the phone before asking those around her to silence her ringing mobile. A mother continuously rocked her infant to keep her quiet throughout the session in order to benefit from the discussion. Women sitting beside her were seen to help her in her attempt to keep the child quiet.
All the women heard Al-Angari mention how Saudi women’s contributions and merits were further reinforced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s inclusion of women in delegations during his state visits. The king continuously meets with Saudi women from different fields to discuss various issues. This is nothing new as far as Muslims are concerned. During Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s reign in 634 AH, Muslim women took the lead in different ways. He appointed Samra bint Nuhayk Al-Asadiyya as a market inspector in Makkah and Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah as an administrator of the market in Madinah. Later, Ash-Shifa was appointed as the head of health and safety in Basra, Iraq.
In comparison, the current status of Saudi women is far behind the times. But the situation of women and the discrimination they endure worldwide is much the same. “One in four women in the world suffers from physical abuse. One in three women is illiterate and one in two women suffers from poverty,” said Al-Angari. “Women are not paid the same as men for doing the same job in different parts of the world.”
While Saudi women are paid the same as men – this is a law – they cannot be released from prison without a legal male guardian despite a Saudi law which states otherwise. “The law says that it is prohibited to delay the procedure of releasing the prisoners,” Al-Angari said, adding that a prisoner – man or woman – must be released immediately after completing their sentence.
Al-Angari went on to mention other forms of discrimination Saudi women are subjected to.
Inheritance laws are not applicable to Saudi women married to non-Saudi men and their non-Saudi children. Her family, excluding her husband and children, inherits her assets. Additionally, Saudi women cannot donate their organs after death without the consent of legal guardians.
Another major problem is that regulations and laws pertaining to women are not implemented.
For example, Al-Angari said, according to Saudi law, a 45-year-old woman can travel without the presence or the consent of a legal male guardian. Not only is this not implemented, it is not even publicly known. “The reason why women are so ignorant of their rights is because they are not taught their rights in schools,” said Al-Angari.
Aside from the lack of implementation and knowledge of the laws, she attributed problem areas to some of the regulations themselves. “33.60 percent of the civil status issues that we receive in NSHR show that there is a deficiency in some regulations,” Al-Angari explained.
“A mother of four girls went to her husband who was in jail for drug abuse and possession. She wanted his consent so she could get a job. The husband refused. She then went to the judge, filing for ‘khula’ (divorce by redemption). The judge ordered that she return the dowry,” said Al-Angari, wondering aloud how the woman could get the money for the “khula” when, in the first place, she was in search of a job because she had no money.
During the discussion, one woman raised the issue of men using the family card to buy shares and conduct business projects in the name of their wives without the wives’ knowledge. To that, Al-Angari said: “A civil family code should be established and handed to every woman when her identification card is issued in order to inform her of her rights. This is a system implemented in many Arab countries.”
When a woman touched upon the issue of many holding premium accounts in banks, Basmah Omair responded that for a woman to invest, she must appoint a male representative who has power of attorney. Unfortunately, there are many cases when the power of attorney is abused; hence many women prefer to keep their money in their bank accounts. She then emphasized that the Khadijah Bint Khuwailid Center provided legal assistance for women investors in drawing up a specified power of attorney which does not give absolute power to the representative.
Another woman said that she had many friends formerly married to educated and open-minded men. However, their husbands deprived the women of their children – custody and visitation rights – after divorce. “Islamically, this isn’t correct,” she said and then quoted a verse from the Qur’an: “No soul shall have imposed upon it a duty but to the extent of its capacity; neither shall a mother be made to suffer harm on account of her child, nor a father on account of his child, and a similar duty (devolves) on the (father’s) heir.”
Throughout the meeting, Al-Angari emphasized the responsibility and obligation women have to themselves and each other. The meeting ended with many women asking that men also be educated about women’s rights.
-- Hassna’a Mokhtar, Laura Bashraheel & Somayya Jabarti, Arab News
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