Women and Power in the Middle East, North Africa

Middle Eastern experts meet in London to discuss women’s rights Politics, economy, social norms and education – these are the key four aspects of society women in the Middle East  and North Africa must become an integral part of in order to achieve equality. Notable female figures specialising in North Africa and the Middle Eastern affairs gathered at Chatham House in London on Tuesday to discuss the relationship between Arab women and power.
The recent wave of political action has focused on increased political and economic rights for all and has sparked a renewed debate about gender equality and women's rights and roles. The messages of the Arab uprisings - widespread empowerment and the opportunity to have a voice - are echoed by those seeking equal rights and representation for women.
The session first explored how calls for social justice and democracy have impacted the lives of women in politics, business and society. Senior Research Fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House, Jane Kinninmont began the address by highlighting that the major factor holding women back in these countries is education and the so-called traditional gender norms that are perpetually passed on through generations. Kinninmont raised the point that if mothers remain uneducated, they themselves will pass on these oppressive roles to their daughters, and so on.  Dr Fatima Khafagy, the ombudsperson of gender equality in Egypt expanded on the issue, pointing to Egypt’s systematic exclusion of women from politics, adding that only women’s rights that are compatible with Islam are mentioned in the constitution. During the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak’s regime, female demonstrators were subjected to sexual harassment and suffered intimidation when voting in the subsequent elections. This behaviour was used as a tactic to stop women from taking part in politics as they were expected to vote against the statute. Khafagy stated that such behaviour proved that the mobilisation of a feminist movement in Egypt is something to be feared by the oppressors.
It was also noted that  gender roles are so cemented into Arab thinking that poorer families, males are given priority when choosing who to educate, while the females accept their ‘place’ in the home. Professor Deniz Kandiyot of the London School of Oriental and African Studies then raised the important point of oppressing regimes “hijacking” women’s rights as a democratic facade in order to increase their appeal. She argued that such actions de-legitimise the movement and does little to further the female emancipation agenda. Dr Maha Azzam, an Associate Fellow at Chatham House asserted that women, generally and in Egypt, are engaging in activism at all levels, not just for their rights, but democracy as a whole. The so-named Arab Spring countries are dealing with the legacies of dictatorships and revolutions that are not yet secure and women must ensure they participate in the re-establishment of stability and the shape the future of their region.
Tunisia proves to be the exception in terms of women’s rights and the implementation of democracy.  Mehrezia Labidi, the Deputy Speaker of the Tunisian National Constituent Assembly was elected following the 2011 October elections in Tunisia. Labidi passionately asserts that Tunisian women are the driving force behind change in the country and always have been a symbol of resistance as well as pioneers in the establishment of democracy. Labidi agrees that poverty, especially in rural areas prevents women from gaining access to their rights, saying it is not sufficient just to give them status.
The final note from the panel agreed that women in North Africa and the Middle East region must expand and develop strategies to access power and overcome obstacles in their countries respectively. Dina Wahba, an independent Egyptian women’s rights activist stressed the importance of grassroots initiatives to shift popular perceptions, highlighting the recent open discourse of sexual violence in Egypt as a positive step.  Change must occur from the bottom-up and women’s individual needs must be met, be they from rural or urban areas to have a lasting effect.