North African women press for freedom, rights
- Posted on Friday 29 July 2011 - 11:04*Fatma Naib, Cairo, Egypt for UN Africa RenewalArab women have shown that women can play important roles in revolutionary events. In Egypt and Tunisia they participated in the popular uprisings for democracy. "The women contributed equally to the revolution, like the men," affirms Emna Ben Jemaa, a Tunisian lecturer and journalist. "We took part in protests in the street, without any discrimination against us."
Women’s activism is not a recent development, notes Ms. Jemaa. “For Tunisian women, independence is not something that came with the revolution, it has been there.” Before national independence in 1955, Tunisian women faced discrimination. They were taken out of school, forbidden to see male doctors and limited in the political sphere. Yet during this period Tunisian women developed began fighting to advance their role.
With independence, President Habib Bourguiba helped advance the role of women. A “Personal Status Code,” adopted in 1956, gave women unprecedented rights including the right to vote and to be elected to parliament, to receive wages equal to those of men, access to mixed-gender education and the right to divorce.
As a result, the women’s movement in Tunisia is relatively advanced compared to those in other Middle Eastern countries, notes Ms. Jemaa. This paved the way for their prominent involvement in the revolution that toppled President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali on January 14.
After President Ali’s ouster, members of the previously banned Islamist Nahda Party returned to the country. The party will be allowed to participate in Tunisia’s elections, but
that does not worry Ms. Jemaa.
“People assume that Islamism would interfere with women’s rights and freedom. But this is not necessarily correct,” she says. “When Islam came to mankind, women used to work and played an active role in society. So I don’t understand why people assume that the presence of an Islamist political party will lead to the exclusion of women.”
However, Ms. Jemaa admits that there are fears of a backlash for women’s freedom if the country is ruled by a religious party. “People look at the examples of Algeria and Iran. History has proven that there is no guarantee that an Islamic party such as al-Nahda will secure women’s rights.” So Tunisians need to be on guard, she concludes.
Major strikes
The revolution in Tunisia inspired people in Egypt on 25 January to demand freedom and dignity. But even before the uprising, female factory workers had staged major strikes in 2007 in the city of Mahallah.
In Egypt women accounted for 40 to 50 per cent of the demonstrators during the 18 days that toppled President Hosni Mubarak. With and without veils, they set up barricades, shouted slogans and risked their lives. The idea that men and women should be different was set aside. Nawara Najm, an Egyptian journalist and human rights activist, recalls how she fought side by side with the men. “When we had to fight, I fought. When we had to hurl stones, I did. When we had to shout slogans, I did.”
On 28 January, dubbed the “day of rage,” she and other women helped mobilize the resistance. “When the police clashes intensified and the shooting escalated, some of the guys would retreat. At that point all the women would push to the front. When our male fellow revolutionaries would see us do that, they would return immediately.”
That day also brought Ms. Najm’s worst memory, when a person died next to her. “We were on the bridge by the Nile. What upset me was that his death was preventable, but we couldn’t call an ambulance. I tried to use my phone, but the lines were cut. Then he shut his eyes. I asked if he was asleep, but another person told me that he had passed away.”
For Ms. Najm, the revolution is ongoing. “We managed to topple the head of the regime, but the entire regime is not gone yet and our key demands have not been met.
“I am not too worried about the Muslim Brotherhood having political power. They are a political organization that has the same right as everyone else. No one can stand in the way of the people anymore.”
Salma El Tarzi, a film maker, echoes Ms. Najm. “I am not into any political parties. I prefer to remain neutral for now. I know I will always be in the ‘opposition,’ so I am ready to demonstrate, or fight.”
Prostitution
Ms. Tarzi is agitated as she speaks about how soldiers cleared Tahrir Square on 9 March: “They violently dispersed the crowd and arrested several activists, including women who had to undergo forced virginity tests. Those who failed the tests and were not married were charged with prostitution.”
Nabila Ramdani, a French political analyst of Algerian origin, compares women’s roles in Tunisia and Egypt with their situation in the 1954-1962 Algerian independence war.
“Women played an important role in the battle for Algerian independence. They planted bombs and acted as informants.” She blames a mixture of religion, culture and law for the current state of affairs in Algeria. But in post-revolution Tunisia, she adds, the voice of women is louder because it is a secular society, with a distinction between religion and the rule of law.
Ms. Ramdani is optimistic about the future, because women are speaking up as is evident in the Arab world, including in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving, several women drivers have posted videos online showing themselves defying the ban. “It was previously unthinkable that women there would defy the king.”
Women in different parts of the region face different challenges. While some countries have accomplished more, it seems that women in the Arab world want their voices to be heard. They want their basic human rights to be respected in societies that are free and fair for all.
*Fatma Naib is a reporter for the Al Jazeera news network.
Read more on Africa Renewal website here
Reactions
- Posted on Wednesday 16 January 2013 04:20When it comes to accessories, have you ever thought about wearing a glove-shaped coin purse necklace around your neck? Donning a turban to protect your head coach handbags outlet from the louis vuitton outlet online fall chill? Or hanging a cat sweater casually over your handbag? No? Me neither. But this week’s round of personal style bloggers made just these bold choices for coach outlet online their accessories, and they all look amazing!Caillianne worked a Maison Martin Margiela at H&M (launching next week on Nov. 15!) glove necklace and a vintage turban into a killer black-and-white ensemble that balanced chic on top with sporty on the bottom. The Beckerman clan can always be counted on for creative ways to accessorize.
There are tons of animal sweaters these days that are super www.louisvuittonpursebag.com cute and not at all kitsch (though I personally enjoy kitschy sweaters), and Alyssa shows us a fun way of wearing one – without actually wearing it. Hanging a sweater over your handbag is a genius solution because then you can have two amazing tops on you rather than just one (this would be the opposite of ‘less is more’ but would achieve the same effect – a brilliant outfit)!As if the 60+ shots we posted yesterday of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2012-2013 edition weren’t titillating enough, here’s coach bags outlet a little something for coach outlet those of you who are more interested in footwear than in heavily-embellished bras and panties: Nicholas Kirkwood custom-designed each pair of shoes in the Coach Factory Online runway show. The London-based shoe designer’s signature platforms and sculpted heels adorned the feet of the likes of VS Angels Alessandra Ambrosia, Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima when the show coach purses outlet taped earlier this week.
Take a peek at the gallery below for a closer look at Kirkwood’s designs. Dying for a pair? All you needed was a pair of Angel wings to get your hands on one.At the H&M Spring 2013 preview this week, a bohemian style for coach outlet store online the 21st century translated into sporty and relaxed shapes embellished with tassels (one can never have too many), fringes, and embossed details.
The fresh sun-bleached and coach outlet online neutral tones of the collection are highlighted in the gray denim jacket with quilted shoulders and Louis Vuitton Purses gorgeous brocade print blouse and matching shorts, while vibrant reds and oranges embolden the tassel skirt with embellished waist and the coach factory outlet online statement brocade jacket. There are so many great pieces in this spring collection, but the standouts for me are the black embossed leather jacket and the studded white denim vest. Can’t you just imagine these on the lead singer of a band who gets asked to play at fashion shows in New York or Paris?The accessories in the collection are just as stellar. I’m loving the tassel handbags, the metal toecap cowboy ankle boots, and the pineapple earrings. It is an undeniable fact that pineapples make better sartorial motifs than any other fruit (bananas are a close second). If you agree, you’ll be happy to know that there is also a cute bracelet with pineapple charms and a shirt with the fruit printed on it. Tassels, pineapples, brocade…it’s not even winter yet, but I’m ready for spring.
yt3wq - Posted on Monday 01 April 2013 10:0740Advice To Plan The Very Best Wedding party At any time
Many individuals would say that relationship is amongst the most significant daily life techniques a person will experience. Sadly, arranging a wedding event can occasionally become a challenging and strenuous occasion to organize. The fee for wedding parties and strong preparing can anxiety the calmest of men and women. This short article contains suggestions and ideas to help you prepare a lovely wedding effortlessly.
If you fear that individuals won't want to provide you with cash wedding event gifts since they don't have a lot of money to provide, add a "funds box" with the front door in your wedding party. Company are inquired inside the traditional invitations to create their gift Gucci Scarpe in a unmarked envelope, permit them to place it within the pack anonymously and Broncos Welker Jersey Womens decreasing any a sense of guilt they might truly feel.
Set individuals in your wedding together in furniture of people who have similar likes and dislikes, interests, or jobs. That will allow them to have some thing to speak about whilst they appreciate their meal in the wedding party, and lowers any difficult emotions for the company. You would like the day being perfect and special for everyone in attendance!
Speak to your family and friends with regards to services to your wedding. You Borsa Gucci will never know when you may have an ignored general who deals with audio or food preparation. You can even find that your friends have connections to support experts who can offer you a discounted price because of the referral.
Wedding parties are likely to bring about a variety of feelings with the family and buddies. It really is quickest that you should simply independent your wedding event organization from your personalized lifestyle instead of allowing it to get in the way of your daily life and causing trouble. Independent the wedding ceremony particulars and you may be on your way to a significantly significantly less anxious wedding prep phase.
General online windows registry providers allow couples to add items to their registries from practically any on-line merchant. This really is a great way to make purchasing gift items handy for your loved ones family and friends are able to use their favored charge cards Nike Air Max to help make transactions, take advantage of on-line special offers, and retail outlet for the best price ranges.
Wait around before making major wedding party selections. When you visit see a location that you are currently sure you like, don't placed down a downpayment right away. Go house, look at several other places, and create a selection then. Creating impulse choices may cost you more cash along with a life time of regret so be sure you think around you are able to.
Provide a swatch of materials from your wedding gown along with you once you purchase your footwear. This will help to complement the shades or find a coordinating color, if that is what you decide to do. There are so many different versions of bright white when you only choose bright white footwear, you're likely to have it completely wrong. Using a swatch will help you make the correct choice.
As was reviewed at the outset of this short article, a wedding event is really a momentous occasion, but is ridden with various choices and expenses. Preventing the strain related to preparation marriage ceremonies can be difficult for several. Apply the recommendations Monster Beats Pas Cher with this report and you will definitely be moving toward planning for a excellent wedding event. - Posted on Wednesday 10 April 2013 10:35The 30 minutes and 12 hours counters hands as well as the end of second hand are all in orange. Date window is at 3 o'clock. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Audi teamed together with swiss replica watches maker Chronoswiss to launch a new chronograph in 2009. It is also known as Tachoscope. This is a limited edition replica breitling watches. The 35 white gold versions sold in 24,900 Euros and the 65 gold versions sold in 14,900 Euros.
_footer
Home | About us | Contact | RSS | Services | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright Africa Interactive 2013 | mail@africanews.com
Powered by React - www.react.nl
