-
Gender Equality Veiled: Arab Spring Revolutions Betray Women
25 Feb 2012 by Kimberly E. Carson in Women and War / 10 Comments
One year after women took to the streets to bring down regimes throughout the Middle East, they are facing an uphill battle to secure equal rights. The Arab Spring was once seen as an opportunity for women’s empowerment. Now, the rise of political Islam is threatening this possibility. Many fear that regimes moderately open to women’s rights will be replaced by Islamic ones that sideline them — as was the case with the Iranian revolution of 1979 and Algerian emancipation of 1962.
Egypt is a case in point. Islamists are demanding repeal of progressive family laws in the wake of the Muslim Brotherhood’s recent political victory. In a country where women braved “virginity tests” by the military to protest for change in Tahrir Square, women now account for only 9 of over 500 newly elected parliamentarians — 55 MPs less than required under the former regime’s 12% quota. No women have been appointed to Egypt’s constitutional reform committee or to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
Similar disturbing trends are evident throughout the region. In Tunisia, seen as one of the more liberal Arab states, unveiled women are increasingly attacked by Salafist radicals. And in Libya, revival of polygamy and Islamic law underlies the platform of the National Transitional Council — composed of 38 men and just 2 women.
With United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the international community recognized the importance of integrating women in all aspects of peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. The international community must do more to implement Resolution 1325 in the Middle East. The international community should:
- Demand complete accountability for gender-based violence in armed conflicts;
- Incentivize the inclusion of women in peace processes;
- Prioritize women’s needs in foreign-funded emergency response and recovery programs
- Finance local civil society’s work on peace and women’s inclusion;
- Make support contingent on implementation of quotas to bolster women’s political representation;
- Back Arab women in developing national Resolution 1325 action plans by offering civic education and training in advocacy and coalition-building;
- Encourage new governments to reform discriminatory laws and promote employment opportunities for women.
Post Tags: 1325, arab spring, Egypt, gender equality, Islam, Middle East, reform, revolution, rights, womenAbout the Author: Kimberly E. Carson
10 Comments
Bill C.
The article is certainly though provoking. It would a shame to see women in these take a step backwards after makinhg some significant gains in recentr years. Your recoimmendations make sense.
03 Mar 2012 12:03 pm (@Twitter)
Holly
Amazing information Kim. Very helpful and insightful. Thank you for using your voice to keep us all informed.
03 Mar 2012 12:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kayla O’Connell
Thank you Miss Carson for bringing these issues into the light. We don’t hear enough via our mass communications system in the USA. I can address my prayers for women all over the world who are opressed in what ever manner with greater detail.
Kayla O’Connell
03 Mar 2012 12:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kayla O’Connell
Thanks for bringing this into the light. How can justice be done when there is so much corruptiion in leadership?
03 Mar 2012 01:03 pm (@Twitter)
Jan Groenemann
Kim, I think it is so important that we in the US understand that the Arab Spring and the Middle Eastern fight for Democracy is most likely NOT liberating for women. Last year I read “Infidel” and “Nomad” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali who tells her own story of growing up in Somali with a father that was part of the Muslim Brotherhood and her defect to Holland. I am sure you are familiar with her.
I really enjoyed your blog; and I am so proud of who you are, Kim, and know you will play a vital role changing injustices in the world.
Love you! Jan
03 Mar 2012 01:03 pm (@Twitter)
Lynette Collins
I have known that women are abused in other countries. They have no choice who they marry. They are beaten by their husbands…sometimes, to death. It is very sad that they live in the conditions that they do in peacetime much less wartime. The women live in fear…understandably so. I do not beleive that this will change without the change in the majority of womens minds and they fight so that their daughters will have a better life.
03 Mar 2012 07:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kimberly E. Carson
I agree that Arab women must be the agents of their societies' change. Our role should be to empower them in this evolution.
08 Mar 2012 10:03 pm (@Twitter)
Bill C.
Interesting article. There have been some the positive gains made by women in that region in recent years. It would be very sad to see some or all of these gains erased by new regimes. Your recommendations for the international community need to be implemented.
04 Mar 2012 07:03 pm (@Twitter)
Peggy Carson Schropp
This is such an interesting article by Ms. Carson and really needed to be written. I like your recommendations and fully agree with them. Great work.
05 Mar 2012 06:03 pm (@Twitter)
DiAnne Mueller
Thank you Kim for helping to raise awareness on these important issues facing women. I found your ideas informative and thought provoking! You are a gifted writer. I especially appreciated the action items you recommend! The world needs more true advocates for women’s rights! Please keep up the great work!
08 Mar 2012 03:03 pm (@Twitter)
Leave a Comment