Melanne Verveer, ambassador at large for global women's issues in the Obama administration, was inspired by the women she met on a recent visit to Egypt, writes Dena Rashed How can we help our Egyptian sisters now? They are on the threshold of something extraordinary, but it may be a difficult transition." This is a question often asked of Melanne Verveer, ambassador at large for global women's issues in the US Obama administration, by American women after the 25 January Revolution. It is a question asked in different parts of the world in situations where women are growing concerned about their counterparts elsewhere. It also transcends more than just listening, though listening may well be necessary, Verveer told journalists at a press conference this week. "I have been here in Egypt for the last several days to listen, to really understand how things are moving forward, and hopefully to be able to use my voice to echo what the women here have been telling me," Verveer said. Throughout her presentation, Verveer was adamant that "no country can get ahead if it leaves half of its people behind, if it leaves women behind." This is a concept that she always starts with. Verveer said that she had been inspired by her visit to Egypt. "Just hearing Egyptians, men and women, of all ages, of all sectors of the society, different backgrounds, come together as one Egypt, talking about their aspirations for a new Egypt for themselves, for freedom, for economic opportunity, was more inspiring than I can describe. There is so much interest in our country in Egypt, from people in government, outside of government, who want to know how they can be helpful, particularly women," Verveer said. Verveer's position as ambassador at large is a new position in the Obama administration, she told attendees. "This ambassadorship did not exist before, but president Obama and secretary Clinton recognise that in today's world, within our countries, between our countries, working as our foreign ministry does, as every foreign ministry does around the world, that we can't hope to tackle the challenges that we confront in the world, whether they have to do with economics, with security, with the environment, with how we govern ourselves, unless women are fully participating at every level of society." Throughout her visit, Verveer met with civil society leaders and activists who had been in Tahrir Square during the revolution and also with women running small and medium-sized businesses. Verveer said that "it is clear women have to be a part of economic solutions; they have to be participants in the economic growth of this country. What is going to be done to ensure that they can overcome barriers, so that their potential to grow GDP can be unleashed?" "I've also met with women in the poorer sections of town who are struggling with some tough issues, dealing with violence, dealing with child marriage, trafficking, to see how they are becoming empowered and really taking control of their lives and contributing to a better future for their families." Verveer said that one way of helping women in Egypt was through small and medium enterprise development. This would reinforce the role women have to play economically, and it would also increase their participation in society. Verveer has visited Egypt before, and she is well aware of women's issues in the country, having met women from different walks of life. She realises that these women have very considerable potential. How would she evaluate the outcome of her previous visits, and what difference does she see in Egypt after the fall of the Mubarak regime? Verveer told Al-Ahram Weekly in an interview that 25 January should not be seen as the end point of the revolution. Instead, there were immense opportunities, as well as immense challenges, ahead. In her presentation, she stressed the small steps needed to involve women in all parts of society. Everyone needs to work in order to empower women. "It is not a static situation, and there is no reason why women should not be or feel empowered." Asked by one attendee whether she had talked to religious leaders in order to help deliver her message, Verveer said that she had met women who had told her that nothing in religion was against their rights. She also believed that religious leaders had an important role to play. While a visit like Verveer's is important because it carries messages of support from women in different parts of the world to Egyptian women, it is nevertheless the case that work will be needed to jump-start the economy and refocus on education, especially since elections are at the door. "They are called women's issues, but all society benefits," Verveer said.
