Tunisia Online News
Tunis, May 7, 2009- In an interview to the Tunisian monthly opinion magazine “Roua”, Tunisia’s First Lady, Mrs Leila Ben Ali said that Tunisia’s presidency of the Arab Women Organization (AWO) for the next two years “will follow up on the implementation of the Organization’s mechanisms and programs so as to give Arab women larger opportunities and wider prospects for participation.”
Mrs Ben Ali, who will act as the Chairperson of the Organization for the next two years, as part of the Organization’s rotational leadership, vowed to promote the status of Arab women while “enhancing their role in building advanced Arab societies.”
Asked about the privileged status Tunisian women enjoy, Mrs Ben Ali said that “the achievements and gains accomplished by Tunisian women are a source of pride for all Tunisians”.
In Tunisia she added, “we longer speak of women’s liberation but of fully fledged partnership.” Tunisian women represent 30% of the working population and can be found in all professions she said, stressing the fact that women represent 33% of judges, 31% of lawyers, one third of university teachers, a quarter of the country’s journalists, two thirds of pharmacists. Moreover 99% of six year old girls attend school and over 59% are university students.
She also highlighted the fact that Tunisian women are also active in political life as they represent 23% of the Chamber of deputies, 19% of the Chamber of Advisors, 27, 6% in municipal councils, including the presence of 5 women as mayors. 20% of diplomatic positions are also held by women added Mrs Ben Ali, who pointed out that more than 10,000 businesswomen are running their own projects.
Stressing the role of civil society in further empowering women Mrs Ben Ali said that nearly 30 associations concerned with women’s affairs are active in Tunisia.
“The New Era has offered women the conditions propitious for a larger participation in all fields of development. Having accomplished significant gains, unprecedented in our cultural and geographic environment, Tunisian women are now a fundamental element in the building and growth of society”, she said.
The interview also focused on Mrs Ben Ali’s responsibilities in the social and humanitarian sectors, especially in her capacity as the president of the BASMA association for the promotion of employment among disabled people.
The Tunisian First Lady also told “Roua” that the media are called upon to adopt amore constructive role in reflecting the genuine role of women in life. She slammed a certain Arab press and television for giving “stereotyped images of women” which discard women’s political, economic, cultural and scientific roles. She said she was fully convinced that “the most pressing task is to continue to change mentalities and mindsets, as a prelude to changing the image of women in society”, in addition to the “responsibility incumbent upon Arab women themselves to change their own image”, she added.
To a question on the scourge of violence against women that plagues many Arab societies, the Tunisian First Lady stressed the importance “to enact tough and binding laws” to discourage such practises. She also insisted on the importance of the role of educational institutions in setting up programs “free from any ideology that belittles women and their status.”
Mrs Ben Ali noted that the education of children is a noble mission which should be carried out to the best of ones’ abilities, given the fact that the future of children is the future of humanity as a whole. Pointing out to the plight of Palestinian children, Mrs Ben Ali said that as a Chairperson of the Arab Women Organisation, she will set up new approaches and programs to promote the rights of Palestinian children.
Showing posts with label public life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public life. Show all posts
Friday, May 8, 2009
Algeria: El Moudjahid Forum on Women
La Tribune, 5.7.09
A debate yesterday, organized by the daily El Moudjahid, centered on the presence of women in the public sphere. Mrs. Francoise Halimi, Vice President of the Association of Women Heads of Enterprise, noted that the emancipation of women, and an active public life, has permitted them to ameliorate their families’ standard of living.
A debate yesterday, organized by the daily El Moudjahid, centered on the presence of women in the public sphere. Mrs. Francoise Halimi, Vice President of the Association of Women Heads of Enterprise, noted that the emancipation of women, and an active public life, has permitted them to ameliorate their families’ standard of living.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kuwait: Kuwait's Salafis call voting for women a sin
Al Arabiya
KUWAIT (Ahmed Abdullah)
Kuwait's Islamist Salafi movement called Monday for a boycott of women candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections on the grounds that public offices are reserved only for men, sparking outrage from female candidates and activists.
Voting for women is considered a sin, said Fuhaid al-Hailam, of the Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo, according to the Salafi's interpretation of a saying by the Prophet Muhammad to the effect that a nation will not prosper if a woman leads it.
Election sin
" What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means "
Fuhaid al-Hailam, Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo"What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means," he told Al Arabiya. "Voting for women is the means of their access to parliamentary membership, thus it is prohibited."
Although Kuwaiti law permits women to hold seat in parliament, Hailam called on female candidates to withdraw from the elections to protect themselves and the voters from a practice he labeled as contrary to Islam.
Nineteen of the 282 registered candidates are women, down from the 28 who registered last year and 31 in 2006, according to the Kuwait Times. The Majlis al-Umma, Kuwait’s National Assembly, was dissolved in March in the aftermath of tension between the executive and legislative authorities.
He denied the fatwa, or religious ruling, is politically motivated to undermine women's chances to win seats in the parliament.
"This has always been the movement's stance and we have always objected to giving women the right to run in elections. We are reiterating our opinion now because it is the right time to declare how legitimate voting is,” he said, adding that the movement recommended that the law not be applied.
Strident objections
" Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws "
Fatima al-Abdeli, candidateCritics slammed the conservative Salafi movement’s statements and urged the government to distance itself from such a position.
Parliamentary candidate Fatima al-Abdeli, a woman’s rights activist who ran in the two previous elections, dismissed the call to withdraw and said the statements betrayed a state of intellectual bankruptcy.
"They have nothing to say," she told Al Arabiya. "Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws."
Woman’s rights activist Fatima al-Abdeli ran in the two previous elections
Abdeli called upon the Kuwaiti government to declare the movement's statements void and said that female candidates intend to organize a press conference to respond to the fatwa.
"This fatwa will harm women candidates and the Kuwaiti people might be deceived by it. We are not going to stand still while this happens. Women should not be told what to do," said Abdeli.
Observers give women better odds of winning seats in this year’s elections despite failing to win any in the 2006 or 2008 elections, citing more extensive political experience women gained during this time and greater acceptance of women's role in public life.
Former Planning Minister Massouma al-Mubarak, the first female cabinet member, was appointed in 2005 and is running in the 2009 elections, a move that observers said shows that women are gaining momentum. Women were granted the right to vote in 2005.
The election war flared when several candidates were arrested and charged with slandering the government. Some parties like the Ummah party, which is not officially recognized, said it would boycott the elections.
KUWAIT (Ahmed Abdullah)
Kuwait's Islamist Salafi movement called Monday for a boycott of women candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections on the grounds that public offices are reserved only for men, sparking outrage from female candidates and activists.
Voting for women is considered a sin, said Fuhaid al-Hailam, of the Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo, according to the Salafi's interpretation of a saying by the Prophet Muhammad to the effect that a nation will not prosper if a woman leads it.
Election sin
" What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means "
Fuhaid al-Hailam, Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo"What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means," he told Al Arabiya. "Voting for women is the means of their access to parliamentary membership, thus it is prohibited."
Although Kuwaiti law permits women to hold seat in parliament, Hailam called on female candidates to withdraw from the elections to protect themselves and the voters from a practice he labeled as contrary to Islam.
Nineteen of the 282 registered candidates are women, down from the 28 who registered last year and 31 in 2006, according to the Kuwait Times. The Majlis al-Umma, Kuwait’s National Assembly, was dissolved in March in the aftermath of tension between the executive and legislative authorities.
He denied the fatwa, or religious ruling, is politically motivated to undermine women's chances to win seats in the parliament.
"This has always been the movement's stance and we have always objected to giving women the right to run in elections. We are reiterating our opinion now because it is the right time to declare how legitimate voting is,” he said, adding that the movement recommended that the law not be applied.
Strident objections
" Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws "
Fatima al-Abdeli, candidateCritics slammed the conservative Salafi movement’s statements and urged the government to distance itself from such a position.
Parliamentary candidate Fatima al-Abdeli, a woman’s rights activist who ran in the two previous elections, dismissed the call to withdraw and said the statements betrayed a state of intellectual bankruptcy.
"They have nothing to say," she told Al Arabiya. "Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws."
Woman’s rights activist Fatima al-Abdeli ran in the two previous elections
Abdeli called upon the Kuwaiti government to declare the movement's statements void and said that female candidates intend to organize a press conference to respond to the fatwa.
"This fatwa will harm women candidates and the Kuwaiti people might be deceived by it. We are not going to stand still while this happens. Women should not be told what to do," said Abdeli.
Observers give women better odds of winning seats in this year’s elections despite failing to win any in the 2006 or 2008 elections, citing more extensive political experience women gained during this time and greater acceptance of women's role in public life.
Former Planning Minister Massouma al-Mubarak, the first female cabinet member, was appointed in 2005 and is running in the 2009 elections, a move that observers said shows that women are gaining momentum. Women were granted the right to vote in 2005.
The election war flared when several candidates were arrested and charged with slandering the government. Some parties like the Ummah party, which is not officially recognized, said it would boycott the elections.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Yemen: Promoting Yemeni Women’s Political Participation through Media Tools
MEPI
Yemeni women have been successful in removing many legal obstacles to their political advancement. However, they still have a long way to go in terms of overcoming social barriers that pose a serious challenge to their integration in the public sphere. Moreover, gender stereotyping often undermines women’s capacity to lead by misrepresenting their genuine talents and aptitudes. In Yemen, the burden often lies on civic groups to collaborate and deliver information that breaks down cultural biases against women and eradicates discriminatory practices. One such group in Yemen, the Awam Development and Cultural Institution, a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, organized a media awareness campaign, supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program. The project used audio and audiovisual tools to alleviate misguided perceptions on women and encourage their representation in upcoming parliamentary elections.
“This project is for the sake of women in a society that believes in women as effective participants in political decision making”, Thoraya Dimaj, Executive Director of Awam, commented to local press. As part of the MEPI-funded project, Awam partnered with a local TV production company to produce a documentary film on Yemeni women’s achievements in various fields, and a comedy sketch portraying socio-cultural factors that block women’s political advancement. In addition, Awam invited Sanaa University students to participate in a contest to produce an original script for a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). The script delivered a message of awareness and urge for change and action to eliminate social inequality and raise women’s status in the political field. Out of 60 PSA scripts, eight were chosen to have the most compelling messages, out of which one was awarded to a female student for producing the greatest script.
“The importance of announcing the women’s political empowerment script winner is that it will encourage the delivery of a media awareness message that targets all sectors of society through various media tools”, commented Ms. Dimaj. She added that the winning script will be broadcast on local radio stations, and the other scripts will be edited and also broadcast. The documentary on women’s achievements is expected to be completed in May 2009.
Activities of this MEPI lcoal grant project were covered extensively in Yemeni local press including 14October, SabaNews, and Mareb Press.
Yemeni women have been successful in removing many legal obstacles to their political advancement. However, they still have a long way to go in terms of overcoming social barriers that pose a serious challenge to their integration in the public sphere. Moreover, gender stereotyping often undermines women’s capacity to lead by misrepresenting their genuine talents and aptitudes. In Yemen, the burden often lies on civic groups to collaborate and deliver information that breaks down cultural biases against women and eradicates discriminatory practices. One such group in Yemen, the Awam Development and Cultural Institution, a non-governmental not-for-profit organization, organized a media awareness campaign, supported by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) local grants program. The project used audio and audiovisual tools to alleviate misguided perceptions on women and encourage their representation in upcoming parliamentary elections.
“This project is for the sake of women in a society that believes in women as effective participants in political decision making”, Thoraya Dimaj, Executive Director of Awam, commented to local press. As part of the MEPI-funded project, Awam partnered with a local TV production company to produce a documentary film on Yemeni women’s achievements in various fields, and a comedy sketch portraying socio-cultural factors that block women’s political advancement. In addition, Awam invited Sanaa University students to participate in a contest to produce an original script for a 30-second public service announcement (PSA). The script delivered a message of awareness and urge for change and action to eliminate social inequality and raise women’s status in the political field. Out of 60 PSA scripts, eight were chosen to have the most compelling messages, out of which one was awarded to a female student for producing the greatest script.
“The importance of announcing the women’s political empowerment script winner is that it will encourage the delivery of a media awareness message that targets all sectors of society through various media tools”, commented Ms. Dimaj. She added that the winning script will be broadcast on local radio stations, and the other scripts will be edited and also broadcast. The documentary on women’s achievements is expected to be completed in May 2009.
Activities of this MEPI lcoal grant project were covered extensively in Yemeni local press including 14October, SabaNews, and Mareb Press.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Algeria: Algeria's women like a 'class apart' at the polls
Apr 8, 2009
ALGIERS (AFP) — Nesrine and Rym, two students at a marketing college, have each been to the theatre only once in their lives and almost as rarely to the cinema, seen as a place Algeria's women should not frequent.
Neither will vote in Thursday's presidential election, they told AFP, since they do not expect that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will do much for women on winning a third term, which is a foregone conclusion.
Many Algerian women feel like a class apart, a view reflected in the way city streets empty of all but men after shops and offices close at night, though women form a large part of the workforce.
"Algerian women are subject to a curfew that has never been officially decreed, but which is an crying reality," says 20-year-old Imane Ghezali, the daughter of a journalist and a teacher.
Her parents are modernists by general standards, and Ghezali with her long brown hair seizes occasions to go out without fearing the wrath of the family and social opproprium if she does.
Sometimes she visits the only bowling alley in the whole of the north African country, which is located in an Algiers suburb. But each 30 minutes play there costs 2,000 dinars (27 dollars / 21 euros), which is 15 percent of the national monthly minimum wage.
Pressure on women from Islamic extremists has eased since the 1990s, when Algeria plunged into civil war waged by groups out to turn the secular state into a hardline Islamist one, but most women wear the hidjab, the robe that covers them from head to foot.
For some, given the rising cost of living in the oil-rich but economically distressed nation, the hidjab is a matter of convenience to hide poverty rather than an ostentatious sign of religious belief and means of avoiding "Satanic" lust.
Nesrine and Rym, who wear headscarves and discreet make-up around their eyes and lipstick, are also among those who feel privileged. Their parents, who are architects and teachers, are understanding and allow them to go out.
But go where? The three students say that the few cinemas in Algiers are dodgy venues. Short of places to be on their own together, young Algerians go to the cinema to steal kisses and caresses, but at the risk of being accused of debauchery.
Hopeful men also hang out at such places and the three girls said they prefer to avoid them rather than be hassled afterwards by insistent and creepy courtiers.
There are a few teashops that young Algerian women can go to and where they can also hang out with their boyfriends. However, their prices are too high for much of the population in a country that goes to the polls more concerned about recent inflation than the political aspects of Bouteflika's bid for a third term.
The tea-rooms keep spaces that are "reserved for families," which people know to mean that solitary young men will not be admitted.
But more often than not, young Algerians are resigned to "long-distance love" by mobile phone, Rym told AFP. About 17 million people in the country use cellphones, accounting for roughly a third of the population.
Sarah K, a journalist who works on the culture pages of an Algiers daily, confirmed that when youngsters want to step out, the number of places they can go is "derisory." For the vast majority of girls, family outings are the only ones they get and television is their one source of leisure.
The cafes, mosques and street corners are the nightly preserve of Algerian men.
ALGIERS (AFP) — Nesrine and Rym, two students at a marketing college, have each been to the theatre only once in their lives and almost as rarely to the cinema, seen as a place Algeria's women should not frequent.
Neither will vote in Thursday's presidential election, they told AFP, since they do not expect that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will do much for women on winning a third term, which is a foregone conclusion.
Many Algerian women feel like a class apart, a view reflected in the way city streets empty of all but men after shops and offices close at night, though women form a large part of the workforce.
"Algerian women are subject to a curfew that has never been officially decreed, but which is an crying reality," says 20-year-old Imane Ghezali, the daughter of a journalist and a teacher.
Her parents are modernists by general standards, and Ghezali with her long brown hair seizes occasions to go out without fearing the wrath of the family and social opproprium if she does.
Sometimes she visits the only bowling alley in the whole of the north African country, which is located in an Algiers suburb. But each 30 minutes play there costs 2,000 dinars (27 dollars / 21 euros), which is 15 percent of the national monthly minimum wage.
Pressure on women from Islamic extremists has eased since the 1990s, when Algeria plunged into civil war waged by groups out to turn the secular state into a hardline Islamist one, but most women wear the hidjab, the robe that covers them from head to foot.
For some, given the rising cost of living in the oil-rich but economically distressed nation, the hidjab is a matter of convenience to hide poverty rather than an ostentatious sign of religious belief and means of avoiding "Satanic" lust.
Nesrine and Rym, who wear headscarves and discreet make-up around their eyes and lipstick, are also among those who feel privileged. Their parents, who are architects and teachers, are understanding and allow them to go out.
But go where? The three students say that the few cinemas in Algiers are dodgy venues. Short of places to be on their own together, young Algerians go to the cinema to steal kisses and caresses, but at the risk of being accused of debauchery.
Hopeful men also hang out at such places and the three girls said they prefer to avoid them rather than be hassled afterwards by insistent and creepy courtiers.
There are a few teashops that young Algerian women can go to and where they can also hang out with their boyfriends. However, their prices are too high for much of the population in a country that goes to the polls more concerned about recent inflation than the political aspects of Bouteflika's bid for a third term.
The tea-rooms keep spaces that are "reserved for families," which people know to mean that solitary young men will not be admitted.
But more often than not, young Algerians are resigned to "long-distance love" by mobile phone, Rym told AFP. About 17 million people in the country use cellphones, accounting for roughly a third of the population.
Sarah K, a journalist who works on the culture pages of an Algiers daily, confirmed that when youngsters want to step out, the number of places they can go is "derisory." For the vast majority of girls, family outings are the only ones they get and television is their one source of leisure.
The cafes, mosques and street corners are the nightly preserve of Algerian men.
Saudi Arabia: OP-ED: Starting women’s rights organization in Kingdom
Sabria S. Jawhar
COULD it be that no one is interested in establishing a women’s support group in Saudi Arabia? Is it possible that women have all the support they need to find jobs, get an education and achieve that ultimate dream of zipping around Jeddah in a BMW Z28?
Apparently the Saudi Ministry of Social Affairs thinks so. And I, for one, appreciate their confidence that Saudi women can do it alone and do not need the help of organized groups.
I don’t know Sulaiman Al-Salman, the man who thought up Ansar Al-Ma’rah, which translates into Supporters of Women, and what exactly are his goals. He says he has about two dozen people ready to help him launch the support group as the first official organization to fight for Saudi women’s rights.
The Ministry of Social Affairs said “no” or just pretty much ignored him, which seems par for the course for the government when they just rather have things go away
The National Society for Human Rights and the Saudi Human Rights Commission can pretty much attest to the fact that in some circles they would rather not be seen or heard by the government, especially after the groups see report after report tossed in the circular file for further non-action.
According to media reports, Al-Salman said he wanted to start the organization to improve the lives of Saudi women. But he complained the Ministry said it was not authorized to approve of the organization. Yet many other humanitarian groups received approval, he said.
Part of Al-Salman’s problem may be of the chicken before the egg nature. He says he is getting plenty of support from individuals and businesses, but no financial support.
And if I am reading his concerns correctly, not a lot of people are standing up publicly to be counted as supporting the group.
It seems that most people are taking a wait-and-see attitude. If the government approves Ansar Al-Ma’rah, then all is well and good and let the work begin. But the prevailing wisdom is why stick one’s neck out if there is no official support? Without people putting their name publicly to the project it’s doomed to failure.
If there ever is a need for a women’s rights group, then Saudi Arabia is fertile ground for one. One only has to look to our judicial system to see the scales of justice tilted toward customs and traditions instead of well-reasoned laws that protect women in domestic cases. The list of judicial transgressions against Saudi women is long and growing longer.
Saudi woman, it seems, are reduced to theatrics to get the government’s attention. We have one activist driving a car on some dusty desert road in the middle of nowhere, then posting her “protest” on YouTube to publicize our right to drive a car.
Another has started an Internet petition drive to gain support to allow women to work in lingerie shops. And for those ladies with a temper, they just storm the Hay’a’s office in Madina and throw around furniture, and shout and flail their arms about at the bewildered mutawween.
All of it doesn’t amount to much. And it would be wonderful if an organized women’s rights group, with the backing of Saudi intellectuals and business leaders, was given a voice by the government to air grievances and find solutions to help give women more opportunities to be a part of Saudi society.
If a women’s right organization wants recognition from the government then it must begin with people who have influence. That is, the founding membership must be civic leaders with the gravitas to get things done and are willing to commit their time and resources to the project before authorization is requested from the government.
If leading businessmen and women from Jeddah, Riyadh and Madina are willing to explore issues affecting women, and then stick with the plan by working with the government toward reform, then there is a chance for success.
A single man, or woman, on a mission with the half-hearted backing of shadow supporters will not get the job done. But people willing to stand up and be counted, and even willing to take some grief from their neighbors, just might pull it off. – SG
COULD it be that no one is interested in establishing a women’s support group in Saudi Arabia? Is it possible that women have all the support they need to find jobs, get an education and achieve that ultimate dream of zipping around Jeddah in a BMW Z28?
Apparently the Saudi Ministry of Social Affairs thinks so. And I, for one, appreciate their confidence that Saudi women can do it alone and do not need the help of organized groups.
I don’t know Sulaiman Al-Salman, the man who thought up Ansar Al-Ma’rah, which translates into Supporters of Women, and what exactly are his goals. He says he has about two dozen people ready to help him launch the support group as the first official organization to fight for Saudi women’s rights.
The Ministry of Social Affairs said “no” or just pretty much ignored him, which seems par for the course for the government when they just rather have things go away
The National Society for Human Rights and the Saudi Human Rights Commission can pretty much attest to the fact that in some circles they would rather not be seen or heard by the government, especially after the groups see report after report tossed in the circular file for further non-action.
According to media reports, Al-Salman said he wanted to start the organization to improve the lives of Saudi women. But he complained the Ministry said it was not authorized to approve of the organization. Yet many other humanitarian groups received approval, he said.
Part of Al-Salman’s problem may be of the chicken before the egg nature. He says he is getting plenty of support from individuals and businesses, but no financial support.
And if I am reading his concerns correctly, not a lot of people are standing up publicly to be counted as supporting the group.
It seems that most people are taking a wait-and-see attitude. If the government approves Ansar Al-Ma’rah, then all is well and good and let the work begin. But the prevailing wisdom is why stick one’s neck out if there is no official support? Without people putting their name publicly to the project it’s doomed to failure.
If there ever is a need for a women’s rights group, then Saudi Arabia is fertile ground for one. One only has to look to our judicial system to see the scales of justice tilted toward customs and traditions instead of well-reasoned laws that protect women in domestic cases. The list of judicial transgressions against Saudi women is long and growing longer.
Saudi woman, it seems, are reduced to theatrics to get the government’s attention. We have one activist driving a car on some dusty desert road in the middle of nowhere, then posting her “protest” on YouTube to publicize our right to drive a car.
Another has started an Internet petition drive to gain support to allow women to work in lingerie shops. And for those ladies with a temper, they just storm the Hay’a’s office in Madina and throw around furniture, and shout and flail their arms about at the bewildered mutawween.
All of it doesn’t amount to much. And it would be wonderful if an organized women’s rights group, with the backing of Saudi intellectuals and business leaders, was given a voice by the government to air grievances and find solutions to help give women more opportunities to be a part of Saudi society.
If a women’s right organization wants recognition from the government then it must begin with people who have influence. That is, the founding membership must be civic leaders with the gravitas to get things done and are willing to commit their time and resources to the project before authorization is requested from the government.
If leading businessmen and women from Jeddah, Riyadh and Madina are willing to explore issues affecting women, and then stick with the plan by working with the government toward reform, then there is a chance for success.
A single man, or woman, on a mission with the half-hearted backing of shadow supporters will not get the job done. But people willing to stand up and be counted, and even willing to take some grief from their neighbors, just might pull it off. – SG
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Kuwait: Kuwaiti officers refuse to salute female superiors
Kuwait (Alarabiya.net)
Male officers in the Kuwaiti army have expressed embarrassment at having to salute female superiors as the interior ministry denied rumors it was considering offering monetary compensation to female officers in return for not demanding to be saluted by male officers.
According to reports in local media, the Ministry of Interior was looking into alternatives after receiving complaints from male officers. One suggestion was to give each female officer an allowance of 50 dinars ($172) in return for not making male officers of lower ranks salute them.
Another option mentioned was to penalize any officers who refuse to abide by military rules, though there were concerns this could potentially lead some men not to join the army and put the ministry in an even more awkward position.
The ministry, however, denied reports it is considering alternatives to the saluting controversy.
"The ministry treats men and woman equally," an official with the ministry, Colonel Mohamed al-Sabr, told AlArabiya.net. "The salute is done in respect to rank and not individuals."
The controversy started with statements by the head of the GCC Sharia Scholars Union Dr. Ajil al-Nashmi in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Watan where he said women can only join the military in limited circumstances
"Women can join the military in cases like searching other women at the airport or on the borders," he told the paper. "Otherwise, it is not recommended."
Fighting back
" If everyone issues fatwas according to traditions, we'll live in chaos as if we're in a jungle "
Maha al-Berjes, KHRS Deputy ChairmanThe Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) objected to Nashmi's statements, which came two years after women were allowed to join the military.
"This fatwa has no reasoning in religion and violates the principle of equality granted by the constitution," the rights group said in a statement.
It added that while the Gulf emirate is developing and women are making greater contributions in various fields, this fatwa, or religious ruling, tarnishes the country’s image and hinders its growth.
"We have to resist such views. We call upon the authorities to make sure that no fatwas issued are in contradiction to the teachings of Islam or the rights granted by the constitution," the statement said.
KHRS Deputy Chairman Maha al-Berjes objected to fatwas based on customs and traditions and not religion.
"If everyone issues fatwas according to traditions, we'll live in chaos as if we're in a jungle," she said.
Berjes also denied that KHRS only supports the more liberal members of Kuwait’s government.
"We are against all types of violations regardless of political affiliations, and we are not intimidated by criticism from Islamists. Those who work in human rights should not be intimidated," she concluded.
Imported equality
" It is better to stop women from joining the military. This does not suit them physically and their normal place is at home "
professor of Islamic law Dr. Saad al-Anzi Meanwhile, professor of Islamic law Dr. Saad al-Anzi said women should not join the military except in emergencies like during war.
"In this case, the role of women should be confined to offering medical services and not to engage in fighting," he told AlArabiya.net. "They shouldn't mingle with men."
Anzi added that military salutes are not Islamic to begin with and that women should refrain from entering public life.
"It is better to stop women from joining the military. This does not suit them physically and their normal place is at home."
Anzi referred to equality between men and women as a “novelty” imported from the West and stressed that it goes against Islamic laws.
"The idea of equality between men and women needs to be reviewed," he said.
(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)
Male officers in the Kuwaiti army have expressed embarrassment at having to salute female superiors as the interior ministry denied rumors it was considering offering monetary compensation to female officers in return for not demanding to be saluted by male officers.
According to reports in local media, the Ministry of Interior was looking into alternatives after receiving complaints from male officers. One suggestion was to give each female officer an allowance of 50 dinars ($172) in return for not making male officers of lower ranks salute them.
Another option mentioned was to penalize any officers who refuse to abide by military rules, though there were concerns this could potentially lead some men not to join the army and put the ministry in an even more awkward position.
The ministry, however, denied reports it is considering alternatives to the saluting controversy.
"The ministry treats men and woman equally," an official with the ministry, Colonel Mohamed al-Sabr, told AlArabiya.net. "The salute is done in respect to rank and not individuals."
The controversy started with statements by the head of the GCC Sharia Scholars Union Dr. Ajil al-Nashmi in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Watan where he said women can only join the military in limited circumstances
"Women can join the military in cases like searching other women at the airport or on the borders," he told the paper. "Otherwise, it is not recommended."
Fighting back
" If everyone issues fatwas according to traditions, we'll live in chaos as if we're in a jungle "
Maha al-Berjes, KHRS Deputy ChairmanThe Kuwait Human Rights Society (KHRS) objected to Nashmi's statements, which came two years after women were allowed to join the military.
"This fatwa has no reasoning in religion and violates the principle of equality granted by the constitution," the rights group said in a statement.
It added that while the Gulf emirate is developing and women are making greater contributions in various fields, this fatwa, or religious ruling, tarnishes the country’s image and hinders its growth.
"We have to resist such views. We call upon the authorities to make sure that no fatwas issued are in contradiction to the teachings of Islam or the rights granted by the constitution," the statement said.
KHRS Deputy Chairman Maha al-Berjes objected to fatwas based on customs and traditions and not religion.
"If everyone issues fatwas according to traditions, we'll live in chaos as if we're in a jungle," she said.
Berjes also denied that KHRS only supports the more liberal members of Kuwait’s government.
"We are against all types of violations regardless of political affiliations, and we are not intimidated by criticism from Islamists. Those who work in human rights should not be intimidated," she concluded.
Imported equality
" It is better to stop women from joining the military. This does not suit them physically and their normal place is at home "
professor of Islamic law Dr. Saad al-Anzi Meanwhile, professor of Islamic law Dr. Saad al-Anzi said women should not join the military except in emergencies like during war.
"In this case, the role of women should be confined to offering medical services and not to engage in fighting," he told AlArabiya.net. "They shouldn't mingle with men."
Anzi added that military salutes are not Islamic to begin with and that women should refrain from entering public life.
"It is better to stop women from joining the military. This does not suit them physically and their normal place is at home."
Anzi referred to equality between men and women as a “novelty” imported from the West and stressed that it goes against Islamic laws.
"The idea of equality between men and women needs to be reviewed," he said.
(Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Yemen: Workshop on women's role in public life in Hodeidah
[19 March 2009]
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
HODEIDAH, March 18 (Saba) - The participants in the Role of Women in Public Life workshop called for the implementation of free lessons to eradicate legal illiteracy as well as awareness campaigns on the concept of freedom at girl schools
The participants affirmed in the workshop which was organized by the volunteer initiative "I am for my country" in the celebration of Women's day in Hodeidah, the importance of the protecting women from political exploitation.
They outlined the role of media in raising awareness about the role of women, reversing the negative image toward women and approximation of male and female views to achieve change together. Moreover, they urged correct interpretation of Quranic verses regarding women and buildup of young female capacity.
Thirty participants addressed during the workshop three work papers on embowering women and fighting thoughts leading to poor participation of women.
FJ/FR
Saba
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