CAIRO: Arab women met in the Tunisian capital last week in an effort to bridge government policy to enhance women's rights and empowerment in the Arab world. The 3rd Congress of the Arab Women Organization (AWO), which concluded on October 30, announced a series of recommendations that the AWO believes would help improve the conditions of women in the region. “Arab women's improved conditions remain a common daily achievement that stems from enlightened, reform-based thought, triggered by a modernized reality. Everyone must shoulder the responsibility of enhancing that achievement and completing it, so our societies would be able to realize just, comprehensive and sustainable development,” said Tunisian first lady Leila Ben Ali in comments to the delegates. “We sought to develop the action of the organisation in the fields of education, youth and politics. We hope that Arab youth, the pillar of the future, would disseminate those ideas,” said AWO Director-General Wadouda Badran during the conference. Among the topics discussed were education, social and economic opportunities, sustainable development, women's role in the environment and women in armed conflicts. The conference then recommended the spread of human rights as a means of creating gender equality, combating extremism and creating a more open-minded regional society. It called on Arab governments to bridge the gap between the law and implementation of legal statutes to protect women's rights and safety. For observers, many believe the conference was a “step in the right direction,” but according to Dalia Tarek, a Libyan journalist, “the conference is likely to give lip service to the reality that more action is needed.” She told Bikya Masr that too often high profile conferences and meetings in the Middle East attempt to bring big names together, but fail on creating real action or a plan of action. “It is a double-edged sword because if the First Ladies didn't show up, then the media would be less likely to cover the issues, but because they are part of already corrupt and authoritarian governments, it is often hard to be really critical of where action is needed most,” added Tarek. BM
