Women in the Public Sphere
Libya: The Fight for Women's Rights Goes On
Following the Libyan revolution, in which women played a crucial part, and the participation of large numbers of female citizens in the July 2012 elections, Libyan women are now looking forward to a partnership and full equality with their male counterparts.
Read more in the news analysis at indepthnews.info
Abuse of religion - Libya's women's major challenge
In February, a small, purple revolution swept across Libya. All shades and patterns of purple were adorned in the headscarves of the women, and shops put up purple signs in their windows. Men, both young and old, wore purple ties or draped purple scarves over their shoulders to show their support for the campaign, known as Purple Hijab Day.
Women rally drivers of the West Bank
Meet some of these rally-driving women in an article from thenational.ae thenational.ae
Meet the photographer behind the breathless photos, Tanya Habjouqa, in at interview at womendialogue.org
Photographs: Tanya Habjouqa
Tunisian women plan rights rally
Human rights and women's groups in Tunisia are gearing up for a peaceful demonstration in Tunis on Women's Day today, Monday, Tunisia Live reported. In order to preserve the festive atmosphere of the day, the NGOs decided to adhere to the interior ministry ban on demonstrations along Avenue Habib Bourguiba.
Read more at magharebia.com, at dailystar.com and at al-akhbar.com
Women, Christians Among Groups Unhappy With Egypt's New Government
When Islamist President Mohamed Morsi was elected in late June, he promised to represent all Egyptians by forming a government inclusive of women, Christians, youth and even artists and intellectuals. Although the president said he heard the voices of all Egyptians, the much-anticipated government announced last week has proven to be a disappointment for many as a setback to the ideals that propelled the revolution that last year toppled Hosni Mubarak.
Read more at awid.org
More Saudi women traveling without male companions
A few years ago, it was not acceptable for a Saudi girl to travel abroad alone, and if she did, it was discreetly. This, however, is no longer the case.
Attitudes towards Saudi girls traveling on their own has undergone a substantial shift and now the number of young girls traveling without a male companion has remarkably increased.
Read more at alarabiya.net
Salafi preacher: Women, Copts prohibited from vice presidency
A senior Salafi preacher has issued a religious decree that says women and Copts are prohibited from occupying the post of vice president.
Sheikh Yasser al-Borhamy, the deputy leader of the Salafi Dawah, made the decree in response to a visitor to his website who asked the sheikh about his opinion on an announcement made by Ahmed Deif, an adviser to President Mohamed Morsy who said the president was considering appointing two deputies — a woman and a Copt.
Borhamy said a vice president, who fills the president’s place in his absence, should not be a woman or a Copt, though he said women and Copts an serve as advisers to the president.
Read more at egyptindependent.com
Rising number of Bedouin women enter work force
While several institutions now focus on the difficult lives of minorities, Bedouin women are driven into the work force by their families’ needs and demands.
Despite the conservative traditions, poverty often pushes Bedouin women into the work force across the Middle East region. In fact, it was the lack of those basic needs that motivated them into making the shift.
Read more at alarabiya.net
Morsy to appoint Copt, woman to vice presidency, says adviser
A political adviser of President-elect Mohamed Morsy said a Copt and woman would be appointed as vice presidents.
Ahmed al-Deif told CNN that it would be the first time in Egypt’s history that a woman would be appointed to this position that will be granted powers.
Read more at egyptindependent.com
Listen to or read the radio debate Are Women Worried About New Egyptian President? at npr.org
Egyptian Women Have Choice of Rock or Hard Place
Egyptian women's rights activists have only bad options in the current power crisis. If the Islamists in parliament hold power, they could erase years of legal gains for women. But if the military has its way, a police state could re-emerge.
Read more at womensenews.org
Read more about women's rights in Egypt at the new womendialogue rights map