Middle East and Social Change

To look at social change in the last 5 years over the entire Middle East region is a difficult task. The Arab Awakening was successful in deposing authoritarian regimes and em stalling a form of democracy in Tunisia and Egypt, whether these democracies are viable remains to be seem. However political progress does not always translate to civil liberties and social change.
As a social justice student I have taken a focus on human rights and particularly women's rights.  I believe that empowering women through education is the key to overcoming poverty and oppression. When a women is educated their is ripple effect in her family and the community.
In regards to women and education I believe Iran has made the most progress in recent years. Enrolment is education is equal in gender and one third of medical students are female. Today the government reiterated its commitment toward women's education. "Women should enjoy equal opportunities, immunity and social rights; we have a long way to go on this path before we reach the destination," President Rouhani said. The government intend to set up a women workgroup for different religions and tribes in the Women and Family Affairs Department. 

Based on the education reforms and commitment to a future of women's participation in society I predict that Iran will continue the most social change. The next generation of women will be better educated which will impact on broader society. I look forward to seeing further reforms and conditions for women. 

Womens Rehab Clinic in Tehran, a sign of changing times

Women's rehab clinic in Tehran

Transportation of opium from Afghanistan through Iran means there is a growing number of drug abuse amongst the population of Iran. The statistics vary but it is estimated that 3 million of the 27 million population abuse drugs, with 700,000 being women.
Drug abuse is against Islamic values and certainly for women. In a country were women are often oppressed, women who abuse drugs face an even greater challenge. Razeih Khodadoust, the director general of the State Welfare Organization states that “The addiction of women to drugs is a trick by or enemies to attack Islamic values of Iranian families." 
This article is about the women's rehab clinic on the outskirts of Tehran.  The grassroots clinic has been open for 2 years and is all run by women, with little financial support. This is an example of growing women's activism despite the risks.
Since the 1979 revolution the rights of women have been restricted to be in line with Islamic law. Some of the issues included unfair divorce and custody laws, pressure to wear the hijab, increased prostitution and domestic violence. Feminists fighting the oppression are restricted by laws to prohibit advocacy and public discussion of women's issues. Despite many oppressive laws there are also some reforms for women in the decades after the revolution, for example in education where enrolments rates in primary education are equal. Women in higher education are also on the rise, in fact one third of medical school students are female. The framework around women's rights is characterised by "equality-with-difference" which can be interpreted in different ways. However as long as equal education is condoned I think we will continue to see a rise in women's activism, such as this grassroots women rehab clinic in Tehran.

Tyre for Tyres

Driving school in Tyre, Lebanon
 

In the Western world we often ignorant of the experiences of Middle Eastern women. Women within the Middle East are not differentiated and seen as marginalised in society. However the experience of women across the Middle East varies. In Lebanon women are underrepresented in parliament, with only four women in the 2005 parliament. In recent years Hezbollah has carried out propaganda to enshrine Islamist values which oppresses women. However women in Lebanon enjoy civil rights to a degree, with relatively high representation in education and the workforce. In this recent story we can see the determination of women in Lebanon. Faten Damrieh has her own driving school and dedicates 12 hours a day to teaching women to drive in Tyre. Faten Damrieh believes in the empowerment of women and says they should have more confidence in themselves. Although she struggles with disapproval and ridicule of men she perseveres.
This determination of women in Lebanon has also taken form in protest on International Women's Day, when thousands descended upon Beirut to protest against domestic violence. This action was successful weeks later when the parliament passed a law to criminalize domestic violence. Although the law does not cover marital rape it is still a step in the right direction.

Was has the constitution really achieved?

Female members of the Constituent Assembly


Early this year a new constitution was passed in a referendum which contain many fundamental women's rights. However this article reminds us that the Millennium Development Goals are fast approaching and Egypt remains one of the worst nations regarding women's rights in the Middle East. Since the constitution was adopted women's representation in the Assembly has remained at 2%. Below is Article 11 of the constitution on women's representation:

Article 11 of the constitution obliges the state to achieve gender equality regarding civilian, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It also urges the state to take the necessary measures to ensure women’s fair representation in parliament and calls for an end to discriminating against women. The article obliges the state to protect women against all forms of violence and to provide mothers and children with adequate care.

 As you can see the terminology is passive, the constition "obliges "and "urges" the state rather than codifies. Women's participation in parliament still relies on the state to enforce it. Only time will tell if the constitution will be implemented to a extent in which it will change the lives of women in Egypt.