Time for Egypt to man up: recognizing women rights

In 2011 at Tahrir Square, the Egyptian women stood side by side with men to protest against Mubarak who buckled under this forceful pressure. However, women found themselves to be sidelined and undermined almost immediately. This societal injustice has forced them to reappear on roads with newer protests.

The democratic transition has not really worked for the women. In reality, it has succeeded in oppressing the women. The removal of parliamentary quotas for women, broken promises of female vice-presidency and far more alarming legislation for underage marriages are tell-tale signs that in Egypt, women’s rights situation is in danger.

A grimmer today where the gulf between women and women widened and continues as we so speak. A homeland where the rights have being ripped away and equality is lost somewhere in the power struggle. Frustrations have built.

On a daily basis, women’s protests bring them into violent confrontations with government supporters, but this does not stop them. Frankly speaking, the Egyptian women have had enough and their message is clear. This is a fight they won’t give up. The lips bleed, the eyes tear, but they are united in showing the strength of their feelings against the government of President Morsi.

Today’s interview feature focuses on women right’s situation in turbulent Egypt. In order to do this, let’s meet one of their own.

A well-known media expert, Doctor.Naila Hamdy is an Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at the AUC. A former television journalist, she continues to make her mark in the media industry. Over the years, she has advanced her teaching and research into professional journalism, media development and communication technologies.

Additionally, she was the Immediate Past President for Arab-US Association for Communication Educators. Over the years, she has also worked as a media consultant for USAID, UNDP and is an expert on Arab media.

I spoke with Hamdy a few days ago about the unexpected directions and current situation of women; this is what she had to say.

Question 1: What do you think about the recent political turmoil in Egypt?

Answer: The political situation in Egypt is really uncertain and as I write it seems hardly likely that the country will be able to move on a democratic course. In the last few days alone, warrants have been issued for several prominent political activists and several media personalities. After having a revolution that called for freedom it is ironic that the new President and government are arresting all those who dare defy or criticize them. In addition, the economy is in shambles, and unless a miracle takes place this country will continue towards a path of bankruptcy. The country is divided political into two sides. The Islamists and Islamist leaning parties and their followers and the secular, leftist and Christian minority on the other side. In all of Egypt’s modern history there has never been such a division between its peoples. Finally, Egypt continues to be an unsafe and insecure country, where tourism industry and foreign investment is suffering. There is no easy fix towards the journey of stabilization within the country.

Question 2: Have you been affected by it? How has this impacted the Egyptian women’s lives?

Answer: I have been affected like all Egyptians regardless of gender as my day-to-day life continues to become more difficult. Having said that, I have not suffered because I am a woman in Egypt yet. The women’s resistance movement is in full-swing and we are fighting back.

Question 3: Coming back to newly established democracy, if you could elaborate on how things have changed, both positively and negatively?

Answer: The real setback came with the new constitution which has ignored women and put their needs on a back burner. It is not that women had it very easily before the revolution but after standing side by side with the men during the revolution they have become empowered. Rightly so. Once empowered, they are continuing to fight for their rights that are rapidly vanishing in the face of Muslim Brotherhood.

Question 4: Has it resulted in bringing more active participation from women within the current ‘democratic’ government or process?

Answer: Women have not become more active officially but there is a realization amongst women themselves that they need to protest specifically for their space and social positioning. There are significant women’s groups that emerged after declaration of a draft constitution last year. Much to the frustrations of anti-women segments, women have mobilized into large numbers to show their anger and demand rights that are being taken back. Many women’s rights groups are pushing back against some Islamists’ attempts to blame women for an upsurge in sexual harassment.This alone shows that women are not ready to be sidelined and will not sit back while all hell has broken loose over their heads!

Question 5:  What about the effect this government has had on women rights is it for good or for worse?

Answer: If this government continues to ignore women rights or give it archaic interpretations then women rights will truly disappear from Egypt. There is a grave concern that the Brotherhood might lead Egypt in a more conservative and patriarchal direction.  All in all, the country’s women forums feel that the Brotherhood doctrine also may reflect the views of most women in Egypt’s conservative, traditionalist culture.

Question 6: Generally societies indulge in stereotyping the Muslim cultures. More than often people react with feeling threatened when faced with opposites as it challenges the status quo or their generalizations. Do you think this applies to your own self as an Egyptian woman? In your observation, has there been an incident where you sensed the discrimination, dubious attitudes? 

Answer: No I have never felt threatened outside of the region because I was a Muslim. At least not as an adult. This may be due to the fact that I am a professor so when I travel or work in the West I mostly deal with highly educated persons. In addition, most of the media scholars that I interact with have research interests in Arab media. Therefore, they understand and respect Islam and its people.

Perhaps the only time I ever felt a little uncomfortable was traveling to the US immediately after 9/11 where questioning at airports was out of the ordinary. But it wasn’t too bad and has improved since. In all other ordinary day-to-day interactions I rarely have a problem.

However, I am not veiled and most stereotypes of the Muslim culture places women in a certain mold that I do not fit.

The interview came to an end just in time for the Professor’s flight to the US where she’s attending the 2013’s Broadcast Educators Association (BEA). I, on the other hand am left with my mind-journey back in time in 2007, when I first met this truly amazing woman at Amman, Jordan; Hamdy was amongst the pool of media geniuses that took us through the interactive training course on the topic of leadership, media and democracy.

As Egypt continues to suffer since the revolution, right-based advocates argue that harassing and marginalizing half the population is not only unfair, it is something the country can ill afford. These challenges need to turn into opportunities for a better, prosperous and peaceful future.

GAINING MOMENTUM| Women’s Day Special, Part II

 

With the second part of the Women’s Day series, let’s continue our journey across this world to meet some more amazing, fantastic and strong women.

My next stop is the Radio-Albalad station at Amman, Jordan.

Rawan Jayousi – Jordan

Strong, sharp and spirited are traits that best describe this 28-year old Jordanian, a Radio Manager at capital city Amman’s radio station i.e. the Radio Al-Balad.

Her radio station is also the first ever community radio station in the Arab world.

With a solid background of Bachelors in mass-communication, Rawan is balancing the act of being a Manager along-with writing her Master’s thesis on Human Rights and development. She admits that managing the station, over-seeing the media content does hint that she’s a workaholic but for a change she wouldn’t mind catching on some sleep once in a blue moon!

She started her radio-career, seven years ago as a Radio Jockey and presenter and has ample experience of hosting radio shows, call-in programs and live updates. While radio is her first love, Rawan loves traveling and so far has represented her country at several high-profile events across the globe.

In 2012, she moved to Yemen for a year, her new assignment included the establishment of a community radio-station in Sanaa. The station is up and running a successful broadcast since than.

She stresses that much work needs to be done to improve the “image of women” in media and feels that intelligent content programming can help change attitudes towards women.

She says that community-radio is an integral tool that can be utilized for behavior change and reducing gender disparities and the usual stereotyping from people’s minds.

For this women’s day, her message is:

“Women rights issues are human rights issues and changing the status-quo is only possible if there are more women in media and an equally strong will to bring change. To see the change I want, I try to be the change itself and radio’s the right medium for this cause. Using innovative ways of using powerful content can have a positive impact on societies.Women basically have to stand up and take the reins. We can’t sit and wait for someone to hand us our rights.”

Nadica Savić – Kosovo

This 26-years old has somewhat evolved herself into a local activist in Kosovo where much needs attention. Though the war ended, it’s left innumerable scars on the people here.

Nadica’s personal life too was adversely affected, but she wanted to end this feeling of helplessness and despair. She feels that presently people in Kosovo need to just focus all their energies on rebuilding their country.

Few years ago, by sheer chance she became involved into a youth project focusing on peace and non-violence ways to tackle the tensions within hostile communities. This opportunity was exactly what she aspired and there has been no turning back for this passionate youngster.

Her work comprises awareness raising on refugee and migrant rights, documenting case studies, and follow-up visits to monitor the displaced families.

She says that her visits to refugee camps have been a complete eye-opener and made her belief of “no war and just peace” stronger.

Her Women’s Day message goes as:

“I’m not scared of the work that I do, for I understand the importance of how crucial it is to raise voices to end violence. The war forced the Kosovare women to suffer gravely, and we lost all our footing in the society. But it’s now left upon me and countless other women to raise collective voices to continue with our struggles until we achieve our goals.”

Rahila Begum- Pakistan

In 2002, at the age of 23, Rahila won the local elections and became a Union Counselor from a remote-tribal area in the country. To many she seemed naive, but that did not mellow her morale.  The prevailing chauvinistic behavior did not deter her from what she says was her sole opportunity to somehow find ways of improving women’s lives in her region.

In her first tenure as Union Counselor, she decided to conduct a door-to-door survey on community’s issues for her union. While the list seemed endless, she mobilized funds to arrange “cleanliness week” through which the local people disposed off and cleaned the entire sewage system. Next they also cleaned the main water source for the area — the only sole well.

Also, Begum initiated several letters of complaints to provincial ministry departments for her union lacked a functioning basic-health unit. It took a year, than regular medicines and a trained nurse were made available to cater the needs of the local people.

After she quit politics, Begum continues her mission through her local-community based organization (CBO). The CBO focuses to create awareness in community about electoral processes, voter registration and political rights. The most unusual aspect of their work is the creative use of silent theater, people’s gatherings and festivals.

For women’s day, she says:

“Why only celebrate one day for women, why not all the year. I think it all starts from home, and family’s support is vital if we women are to make a mark in this society. During my earlier days in politics, I took counsel from my father and brothers and shared with them my ideas for the community. What happened, next they helped me and gathered more support to help stabilize our union council and resolve many issues. We, women have not to under-estimate ourselves and also try imagining that we can also fit in roles that usually society that does not ascribe to us.”

It is important to note that globally women continue playing their rightful share, despite the countless odds stacked against them. For me it’s been an absolute honor to have brought forward stories of these few women to the readers.

Issues such as personal struggles, societal taboos, unfair financial remunerations, and absence of meaningful recognition are realities of today’s times.

Let’s take a moment to let these stories remind us about the insightful problems, plights and pursuance’s of women.

Saluting women’s power across the globe!!!

 

 

GAINING MOMENTUM| Women’s Day Special, Part I

With over 3 billion women worldwide, it’s a given that women play a critical role in the globe. Every day across the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, regions of Middle East, etc the human life relies on the hard work and expertise of women be it farmers, doctors, female team leaders.

On the other hand, there are equally important roles of women such as mothers, wives, and grand-mothers that are majorly responsible for family life and generations.

Join me today in celebrating women through a virtual journey to different parts of the world.

Abibatuh Alhassan – Ghana

At Tamale, one of country’s poorest areas, Abibatuh is extremely serious and busy in changing her family’s life into the better. At 25, she’s a mother of two, and was inspired to try changing their luck for erratic earnings of her husband  could not possibly give their children a future she dreamed of.

She confesses to be lucky to have received a skills training that helped her to use her family’s compound into a small-scale food processing hub and sells dairy products and other consumer products to the locals.

With the help of this initiative, she is able to contribute lucrative amounts into her family’s income. Her 6 and 9-year old daughters are attending regular school for over two years now.

When asked to share her thoughts on Women’s Day, this is what she had to say:

“If we believe in something, we can also make it happen. I didn’t even know I could reach to these heights and end up creating jobs for other locals. The people in my community look up-to me and no longer viewed as a weak woman. In some years, I dream to own my business and become one of the greatest entrepreneurs in Ghana.”

Ann Beatrice – Malaysia

A diploma holder in I.T and majors in software engineering, Ann decided against joining the field of her specialization, as her passion for working with youth took over her. That got her working for more than seven years with the Catholic Student Movement and she had exactly the right set of skills required to inspire, draw and communicate with the young people — the knowledge of technology.

Later on, she joined Engagemedia, an Asia-Pacific Media NGO which works on Social Justice and Environment Issues. She’s serving in the capacity of the Project Lead Coordinator and this work brings her into close interaction with migrant communities in Malaysia.

A major chunk of her professional life has been dedicated to working with the migrant community in Malaysia in particular those hailing from South East Asia in Klang Valley (The Greater Kuala Lumpur) and in Sabah. Her project aims to train migrants, refugee and stateless communities to share their stories using the medium of video-documentaries.

She’s also involved in training the vulnerable communities on usage of media tools and technology for advocating and campaigning of their rights. She is very dedicated to also pay attention to their struggles, atrocities and their achievements through video work.

She’s a firm believer that it’s important to bridge gaps between local people and migrants that can bridge gaps resulting in positive relationship between different communities.

Close friends of Ann describe this 39-year old to be a compassionate, dedicated and very determined human rights activist.

On the occasion of women’s day, this is what she had to say:

“I take my inspiration from women who stay at home, and I feel strongly about the fact that stay-at-home women do not feel valued. Generally women do not value themselves in what they are doing. This should change before we expect ourselves to be valued and respected. And achieving equality becomes harder. While men and women are different biologically, there is nothing that makes a women lesser to a man. For instance, a mother, who is at home, is not JUST merely a Home Maker. Actually, she is a professional mother.”

” I think women need to change our own mind-sets on how we view ourselves. Being a home maker is an important, vital and critical role. I believe it should be valued way much higher than career which we choose outside. A mother plays a very critical role in nurturing the children at a young age in shaping what would the child be when she or he grows up. Here, I am not saying a man can’t play a nurturing role. But in Asian context the perspective or roles have yet to be changed. I would like women to see themselves as agent for peace and change as we hold an ultimate power of shaping the future generation.”

Giulia Furlanis- Italy

This vivacious and energetic 23-year old-young is currently enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Trieste where she’s in her second year of study for her degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

She feels that she would like to use her helping nature in a more precise and constructive manner. She sees her future career in field of Immigrations and humanitarian issues. She’s very aware of the migrant reality in Europe and for that matter in Italy and feel that her future job must also consist of providing assistance to migrants, hosting problems and also bridging the wide gaps among both sides.

Despite the fact that studies take most of her time, Giulia likes to travel and she’s been around the world with her very personal camera. She combines her photography interest with blogging as a means for information sharing and developing strengthening her networks on a global scale.

In her own words, she admits to being both a discoverer and the dreamer, and aspires to not let obstacles or failures stand in her way.

She is simply fascinated by the different realities that exist in this world and takes keen interest in meeting people from other cultures, religions, and customs. She’s got a thing for languages and knows English, German, Croatian, and off-course her mother-tongue Italian.

On the occasion of Women’s Day celebrations her message is:

“I just wish that we, young women were able to stay strong in face of adversities, obstacles, because the fear of failure has not to deter us from our goals. I think achieving success is not the solely important thing; it’s my ability to try to give it my best shot. All the women out there please do try to take a shot.”

With this we come to an end of part I of this series.

We will continue our virtual journey through the second, concluding part of the women’s day special that will be published in the next days. And share with you some more awesome women and their lives!

The dazzling dance of defiance and determination

“My Islam is not threatened by my dance,” she stressed. “I can be a scholar, a dancer and a Muslim woman as part of the same journey to unravel myself”, says Faryal Aslam, a Pakistani Phd holder in world arts.

Aslam uses a unique blend of culture and dance form to explore the many facets of her identity.So how is it possible that living inside a problematical country, she and many more found ways to channel their creativity through the medium of dance?

While classical dance has a sacred origin in India, it tends to spark negative sentiments on this side of the border. By and large, music and dance have been relegated to the likes of people hailing from Pakistan’s red-light districts. Sadly, these areas are the strong holds of sex-workers industry. Need I say more?

Fret not, in cultures of resistance; there is always the existence of resilience. Her name is Indu Mitha; an 83-year old graceful lady who defied five decades of opposition towards the dance form known as “Bharatanatyam.”

Mitha, is a Pakistani exponent of Bharatanatyam and one of only two in the entire nation. The 80s era, when vibrancy and national expression were on the brink of flourishing, Pakistan was forced to form alliance with the US and Saudia Arabia against the infamous Soviet Invasion of it’s neighbor Afghanistan.

This alliance caused grave damage to Pakistan, than any good that it did in the region. Suddenly, arts and literature started being regarded as prohibited or “haram.” No need to harp upon the very fact that majority Pakistanis are Muslims, this unstable partnership to oust the Soviets and then welcomed military dictatorship of Zia-Ul-Haq changed the face of what Pakistan is today.

No one’s pointing fingers towards neither Mecca nor Washington, but the reality remains the same. This US-led war on the Soviets resulted in funding and stabilizing Islamic extremism in the region. In the need to expel Soviets from the region, the three allies used religion as a tool to entice millions towards jihad or rescue mission. While many still deem it so, it cannot change the fact that it was a very calculated use of an opportunity handed to the allies literally on a plate!

A darker period arrived and Pakistan began regarding many arts as prohibited and haram. Societal attitudes started becoming rigid and bordering on conservativeness. Incidentally, this coincided with Indu Mitha’s teaching career at Lahore she taught Bharatnatyam and soon became a celebrated teacher.

This dance form has a holy tinge as it was born against the backdrop of Hindu form of worship in temples. Indu Mitha however, sees this dance as secular and inward, a journey within one’s own inner world.

She was introduced to dance at an early age, much before Lahore became part of now Pakistan. Interestingly, she had a strong support from her own mother to explore her art dreams and dance medium.

No thanks to the militancy and Talibans running across the region, dance became an “obscenity”. This affected not only Indu Mitha, but several other well-known dancers and dance forms of Pakistan.

BUT. During these decades, she defied the stereotypes and was able to stand up her family’s reservations on her ambitions. This enterprising woman along-with her two daughters, kept creating spaces, opportunities to dance, teach and perform in the last 50 years.

Just mere words are not enough to describe Indu Mitha’s musical journey, which has been full of passion, hopes, struggles, social taboos and tough disappointments. She reminisces the general reaction for her male-dance students, that are openly or indirectly ridiculed to be more feminine, unmanly and girly.

Many a times, she has been an easy target for persecution and victimization for being who she is. But nothing really stopped her from training Faryal Aslam and numerous others into dance forms. Today Indu Mitha continues to teach at her academy, the Mazmoon-e-Shauq in Islamabad.

Her passion is shared amongst her students. Mitha feels that if it could take England more than 60 years to develop theater and dance, then there is hope for it in Pakistan as well.

 

 

Pakistan Rising, Shining and Striking!!

“We didn’t dance, but we talked and it worked in getting the message across that the people of Pakistan are RISING.” Pardon. These emotions were unitedly shared amongst the energetic and enthusiastic campaigners of the “One Billion Rising” at the Air University, Islamabad.

While much is going the wrong-way, it’s an absolute satisfaction to know that Pakistan is part of this global campaign for ending violence against women. This call for One Billion Rising campaign was given by the well-known feminist activist, playwright and actor Eve Ensler. It aimed to mobilize a public gathering of one billion people on the streets across the world on 14th February, 2013, to sing, dance and protest, to end violence against women and girls — once and for all.

To be frank, no one sees “this once and for all” ending in the near future, yet why stop dreaming about such a reality?

Pakistan sadly is home to widespread violence against women. Issues such as “honor” killings (locally known as karo kari), is pervasive in Balochistan, southern Punjab and interior Sindh provinces.

If it’s not the so-called “honor” striking the Pakistani women down, than it’s matters of religious fundamentalism. Minority persecution is a daily happening across the country. In more recent times, women hailing from minorities have been the most vulnerable to violence. Ironically, their Muslim sisters are not enjoying any respite, because in the name of Allah they are deprived of their inheritance rights, choice of spouse for marriages, their say in family planning and so on.

The campaign OBR Pakistan became possible through the joint-efforts of the vibrant civil societies including Amal Development Network, Aurat Foundation, Rozan and Women Organization for Rights and Democracy (Word).

The campaign and it’s V-Day event were conducted in a very wisely creative manner. The show-stoppers have been our vibrant Pakistani youth.

Also when I say young people, it’s both young men and women having the passion, commitment and grit to showcase the OBR’s culmination. Times are indeed changing. Many in Pakistan can recall those days when women rights activism was implemented with “zero-tolerance” for men aboard in development planning and execution. The exclusion of men from decades of campaigning did not result in being as powerful as OBR, Pakistan campaign has become.

The V-Day event was in collaboration with the Air University, Islamabad whose staffers and students worked tirelessly along with the civil society organizations in demanding an end to  violence against women (VAW) issues on the occasion.

The collaboration with educational institutes such as high-schools, professional colleges, universities and even primary schools has accumulated in forwarding the message as a “multiplier effect“ across the country.

In all this frenzy, let’s ponder on a serious note. A very important message related to unity against all forms of violence against women and girl-child is resonating in the air.

For now, humanitarian justice is served on a platter with the chants of young men and women.

They are rising.

However. My question remains the same.

Are you rising too?