At the World Economic Forum on the Middle East discussions are taking place in the halls and on the sidelines — the debate is intense and the discussions continue long after the forum adjourns for the day.
After dinner at the Italian restaurant located in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel last night, American, Egyptian and Saudi journalists began discussing the status of women in Saudi Arabia. It was definitely clear that there were some diverse views on what the real issues concerning women in the Kingdom are.
For the American journalist in the freewheeling discussion, restrictions on women drivers in Saudi Arabia was seemingly the most disturbing and important issue. His views were clearly not shared by two rather articulate and dynamic Saudi women.
The Western media and governments are obsessed with women driving and the “abaya” chided the Saudi women. There are of course far more important issues than just these two they continued. It was obvious that the Saudi women’s priorities were first and foremost equal work opportunities followed by the implementation of laws and rights as granted by Islam.
The American and Egyptian journalists’ felt restrictions on women driving were restricting women in the sort of activities they could participate in. The American journalist then went further and said it was ridiculous and a sheer waste of resources for the Saudis to employ large groups of drivers to drive women around. He said Saudi Arabia should simply bring the issue to an end and allow women to drive.
“In every Muslim and Arab country women drive so there is nothing in Islam against women driving,” he said.
Undeterred and to the amusement and laughter of all present the Saudi women joked with the American journalist recommending he visits Saudi Arabia and try life as a woman, saying he may delight in being chauffeured from one place to another.
As the night wore on both sides remained firm in their views, perhaps there are different ways of looking at one issue. For people in the West, the prohibition against women driving and the required wearing of the “abaya” may be iconic symbols of a repressive social order; for women who live in obedience to such a social order, their concerns are more pragmatic.
One thing is certain voices echoing here at Sharm El-Sheikh are spreading widely on the winds of change, and like the wind these voices are creating a force which will finally prove unstoppable.
Anybody who previously entertained doubts that Muslim women had valuable contributions to make in discussions had their concerns put to rest at the forum yesterday. What was evolving during the second day of discussions was that there was a web of dysfunctional application of cultural taboo, misinformation and manipulation that is impeding progress in the Middle East.
A web involving illiteracy and education and which creates significant roadblocks in the empowerment of women, the younger generation and the application of democratic governance across the region.
“Some 35 percent of people in the Arab world neither read nor write,” said Fadi Nahas of Turkey. “That makes them the target of manipulation by a minority with a hidden agenda.”
Within that agenda lurks the poison of intolerance, which has oozed even into the educational system making even school textbooks obstructions toward peace. “We see the effect of how people were brought up,” said Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference. “Those who learn hate in school will practice hate in life.”
Some participants declared that the average student in the Arab world is being stripped of any right to think. “Instead of civic education, we now have national education, which focuses on distinct national characteristics instead of common responsibilities,” said Suraya Salti of Jordan. “Governments must not be afraid of free thinkers,” she added.
“In the Arab world, we have a lot of seeds that are not blooming,” said Nimah I. Nawwab, a Saudi poet and writer. “Older people do not listen enough to the youth.”
“Democracy is not just about choosing a Parliament member and having an election every few years,” said Massouma Al-Mubarak, Kuwait’s minister of planning. “Democracy has to be supported by people ... We have to believe in it as a way of life.” Emphasizing the importance of equality she said, “There can be no democracy without women having a fair share in the process — this is the way to democratization.”
A common belief among the delegates was that the impediments to change are everyone’s problem. “Because young people face the same discrimination — lack of access to education and economic opportunities — they should form coalitions to advocate change,” said Nayla Moawad, Lebanese minister of social affairs. “We must get out of the mindset that change can only be affected by women. Women’s issues are societal issues, such challenges must be dealt with by involving both women and men in finding answers to the questions.”
At times debates would become heated especially when discussing the role of Shariah in the oppression of women, but debate would end in agreement that the problem lies in interpretation and implementation of the law rather than anything else.
“Equality is more than just laws; it is a function of cultural norms and practices,” said Suhair Ali, Jordan’s minister of planning. She acknowledged gaps in laws but urged women not to hide behind them. Instead, she said, they should work on core issues, including self-empowerment.
Many participants also expressed their belief that the arts could be used to tear down roadblocks and pave the way toward progress. Shahzia Sikandar, a US-based artist of Pakistani origin, said she aims to show that stereotypes can be challenged through art. Sikandar said Arab artists working together can act as a force for social change, but they need both support and encouragement from governments.
Commenting on this the Egyptian actress Yousra said, “The best way to get the message to the illiterate is through music and the visual arts.”
“Cultural figures can play a bigger role in encouraging young people to develop their skills working through schools and school communities from the ground up,” said Nimah Nawwab. “That can also help overcome the stereotyping of Arabs in the world that has come about as a result of terrorism.”
