Minister for Foreign Affairs Villy Søvndal wants to support Arab women who played an active role in the “Arab spring”. To move the process forward, Denmark is contributing DKK 34 million. “Denmark wants to provide support and set an example of a society where women have a large measure of equal rights”, Søvndal told Kristeligt Dagblad.

Each political party must have equal numbers of men and women in its electoral list, according to the new election law recently adopted by Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) this Saturday, according to magharebia.com

For the parliamentary elections due next week on February 2nd, it is now set that 23 out of a total 286 candidates will be women.  About 2 weeks ago, the numbers were 24 out of a total of 344. There are 50 seats in the parliament, and the firs women in Kuwaiti history were elected for parliament in 2009. 

“They’ll tell you ‘it’s only a small cut’ to ‘clean’ the area. Who are you kidding?!”

Mideastposts-blogger Dhofari Gucci in her own words has her blood boiling over a cause that is currently widely discussed in the Omani blogosphere – circumcision of girls – often executed by women – and according to the writer highly practised in Oman. Her appeal is first and foremost directed at the authorities – the Ministry of Health – to take real action against what should be perceived a crime and a violation of human rights.

“In many cases men take on a second or third wife to show off their wealth or to produce more sons who will carry on the family name. (…) A large number of polygamists marry women half their age to help the men feel 'young' again. That seems to be the most common reason. (…)Most polygamists take on a second wife after they hit 40 or 50 and realise they're not getting any younger.” ¨

These are extracts from a personal account from Susan Mubarak, frequent contributor to the Omani Muscatdaily.com about her personal experiences from inside a polygamist family.

“The big question is, does polygamy really work? In my opinion the answer is a big no,” she continues. 

Selling lingerie should not be the only or one of only few options for Saudi women who want to make use of their education and contribute to their society by taking on a paid job. The Saudi Labor Minister Adel Fakeih yesterday announced plans to establish 50 job centers for women across the Kingdom. He mentioned that new jobs suitable for women will be created in the public as well as in the private sector.