Women in the Middle East

By: Cassidy Addison

• Women in the Middle East are in a horrible place.

• They are deprived of basic needs.• They are beaten, and their husbands face no

consequences. • They are mentally and emotionally abused.

• And what, pray tell, are "good intentions"? They are legally deemed to include any beating that is "not severe" or "directed at the face." What all this means is that when it comes to the status of women in the Middle East, it's not better than you think. It's much, much worse. Even after these "revolutions," all is more or less considered well with the world as long as women are covered up, anchored to the home, denied the simple mobility of getting into their own cars, forced to get permission from men to travel, and unable to marry without a male guardian's blessing -- or divorce either.

When they try to leave…• When women in the Middle East try to leave the country, they may be beaten by:

– Their Husband– Brothers– Fathers – Or any Political leaders.

• They may also be attacked with acid and have their faces burned, limbs broken or genitals cut.

UN on Women in Middle East

• “First, women’s participation in politics and the economy reinforces women’s civil, political and economic rights.

• Secondly, women’s participation strengthens democracy, the economy and sustainability. It’s not just the right thing to do, having parity and equality make for a healthier society!

• Last month, during the UN Commission on the Status of Women, UN Women and the Inter-Parliamentary Union launched a 2012 global map on women in politics. The map shows that progress remains very slow and uneven and needs to be accelerated to achieve equality.”

While the UN “Supports women's rights”, nothing is being done.

• “Women were at the forefront of these movements, leading protests, marches and social media campaigns to change the status quo. And women should be at the forefront now in meaningful political participation so they can help chart the future of their countries.

• Yet over the course of the year it has become clear that women will face significant challenges ahead in seeking equal participation in the political arena.

• I’ve visited the region several times, most recently to Libya and Morocco, and before that to Beirut for a regional conference on democratic transition in the Arab world, and to Cairo three times to meet with women and young people from Egypt and the region. UN Women is supporting women’s rights, empowerment and participation.”

Future for Women

• We have no way of telling what will happen in the future.

• People are supporting these women's rights, but nothing is being achieved.

• Women in these countries continue to speak out and continue to gain nothing for their bravery in speaking up for their rights and their freedom.

• It is definitely an issue that needs to be worked on, but equality as well as decent treatment is very far away for these women.