International   

Focus on Arab women empowerment

ABU DHABI: Arab First Ladies, women activists and academics have concluded a brainstorming exercise on empowering women in the Arab world and discussed ways to improve their condition in conflict zones.

The three-day conclave, hosted in Abu Dhabi and inaugurated by Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, considered ways to improve the condition of women, within the cultural context of the region. Discussions revolved around an Arab as well as an international perspective on ways to empower women as part of a larger “human security” dialogue.

The condition of women under occupation, siege and armed conflict in Palestine and Iraq was discussed in considerable detail. Wafa Suleiman of Lebanon stressed that women were the worst hit during wars and conflicts.

Egypt’s First Lady Suzanne Mubarak emphasised the suffering women faced in refugee camps.

She said: “Women are the most vulnerable to violence, cruel practices and human trafficking.” Lebanon, Egypt and Syria face considerable social dislocation as they have been on the frontline of wars with Israel in the past.

The conference decided to enhance the awareness level among Arab women about international humanitarian law and considered mechanisms for its enforcement. It also called upon governments to enforce legislative and judicial measures to combat all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

The meeting advocated enhancement of women’s participation in Arab politics. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan pointed out that “the number of Arab women has doubled in Parliaments in the past eight years, but if we stay at this pace, it will take us 20 more years to reach a 30-per cent quota.”

Appreciating the role of expatriate Arab women in bringing about change, the conference decided to set up an online database that would network Arab women living outside the region. A new media strategy was also adopted to improve the image of Arab women.

Sheikha Fatima advocated an inter-cultural dialogue for promoting women’s welfare, said: “It is important ... to tackle them [human security issues] in a highly coordinated manner and through openness and a positive dialogue that takes into consideration cultural peculiarities and seeks to bridge differences.” She pointed out that human security was the theme of the conference as it comprehensively covered issues of human rights, good governance, access to education, healthcare, clean environment and gender equality.

The meeting, held in the presence of representatives from the Arab League and NGOs, debated the mixed impact of globalisation on Arab women.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Red Cross in charge of Indian aid to Sri Lankan Tamils
India for peaceful Nepal: Prachanda
Focus on Arab women empowerment
U.S. missile plan not welcome: France

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu