THE folly of denying women their political rights was brought home to me during a recent conference in Kuwait where an impressive array of Arab women political and civic leaders gathered to focus on women’s political empowerment.

“We have been brainwashed under the banner of tradition and religion, and we have been convinced over the years that as women we are incapable, weak and emotional — that we are not qualified for political participation,” said Dr. Rola Dushti, president of the Kuwaiti Economic Society. “The environment has changed, and we will not allow any group to belittle our capabilities and prevent us from exercising our deserved political rights.”

Partners in Participation: Women’s Regional Campaign School, held Sept. 25-28, brought Arab women together to hone their political acumen through speeches, experience sharing and workshops. Elected officials, Cabinet members, civic leaders and journalists from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, the West Bank/Gaza and Yemen took part in the event.

It was kind to receive an invitation to the event, even though Saudi women are still sidelined in the political process — at least for now. During the course of our discussions I realized how little we knew of other Arab women and how misinformed many of them are about their Saudi sisters.

Saudi women today are educated, intelligent and capable. However, we do need exposure, experience and training in order to catch up with other Arab and Muslim women who have successfully acquired some skills and more rights that enabled them to proceed ahead of us in the political process.

What some of the obstructionists in our own country fail to understand is that this is not just an issue about women’s rights but an important keystone for Saudi Arabia to progress and compete with its neighbors — neighbors who already are making use of this competitive edge while some here attempt to ignore the unstoppable forces of change — and the incredible benefits that accompany change.

“Political rights are not just a banner to be held but rather a burden and a responsibility that must be fulfilled and taken with utmost seriousness,” Kuwait’s first woman Cabinet minister, Maasouma Al-Mubarak, said in her keynote address. She also stressed the importance of the training and skill sharing between women who wish to participate in the electoral process. Moreover, she emphasized the need to build a regional network between Arab women to guarantee their success in politics over the long term.

Kim Campbell, former prime minister of Canada, urged women not to be deterred by perceived gender notions that stand in the way of women’s participation in politics. She spoke about her own experience as the first woman to hold the post of prime minister in Canada and how she too faced challenges to break the stereotypes that restrict the roles of women in society.

Algerian MP Samia Moualfi and Moroccan MP Amina Ouchelh spoke about their political roles and the challenges that confront women in their countries. The members of parliaments shared their political experience and revealed how Algerian and Moroccan women are much more advanced in political participation. Their speeches were enriching and inspiring. Each member of the two delegations represented different parties in their government. The respect they had for each other and the sophisticated dialogue between them truly was impressive.

Participants, presenters and workshop trainers also took part in a series of panel discussions addressing key issues relating to the promotion of the participation of Arab women in political life. Many of the candidates, who participated in election campaigns in their own countries, appreciated the training that could strengthen their political skills. Others hoped to improve their ability to participate in civil and political affairs.

Woman after woman from across the Arab world told the participants of her challenges and her successes. They all shared a common conviction that they could — and should — play a key role in solving the problems of today and helping to shape the future of their societies.

I met young Lebanese women who shared their experience of fighting — and failing — to lower the voting age to 18. However, they are still determined to try again and work on changing the legislation.

I met Palestinian women who intend to gain the power to make a difference in a new Palestinian state and to be part of the decision-making process — women who have suffered a great deal under Israeli brutality and occupation but are still hopeful and eager to rebuild their destroyed communities.

There were Iraqi women who spoke about their determination to fight for a united Iraq under a democratic rule that respects all Iraqis as equal citizens.

Women from Yemen talked about their fight to regain their right to participate in Shariah courts — a right that was taken away from them at one point by extremists who cast doubt on their abilities.

I also met women from Oman who are participants in the Shoura and are heads of many other governmental posts.

Listening to these inspiring speeches and attending the workshops on building political skills as well as interacting with politically active Arab women leaders with similar societies was an eye-opener.

The voices of women in Saudi Arabia should be heard and respected as capable citizens and legal participants in the decision-making process. To gain legal and political rights is not un-Islamic, and there are many examples in history of Arab and Muslim women leaders who were politically active and have left their mark in their societies and have their names engraved forever in history books.

Participating in this historic event renewed my hope for the future, it also left me with the conviction that Saudi women could add much more for their country’s progress if only they would be given the chance.

— Samar Fatany is a Saudi radio journalist. She is based in Jeddah.