theguardian Monday, January 30, 2012
WOMEN FOCUS EDITION 02
Dubai Debates extensively on womens presence during Arab uprising DISCUSSION ON WHETHER MEDIA EXAGGERATES THE ROLE OF WOMEN AS PROTESTERS
The panelists involved in an intriguing discussion about women and civil rights in the Arab World at the 4th Edition of Dubai Debates from left to right were, Mohammed Abu Obeid, Amira Yahyaoui, the moderator - Mishaal Al Gergawi, Sumaya Tayara and Dr. Ebtisam Al-Ketbi. Courtesy Nazia Fatma
Qudsiya Siddiqui UAE Editor The Arab world is currently in its revolutionary period with historical uprising taking place in countries such Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Bahrain which attracted a wide-array of media attention for the responsible citizens were creating an uproar to bring about changes in the current political scenario of the country along with transparence in the governance. The panel event organized by Dubai Debates in its fourth edition emphasized a strong focus on the topic ‘Women, Civil Society and leadership in the New Arab World’ on the 18th of December 2011 held at Dubai Knowledge Village Auditorium, in cooperation with Vital Voices and CNN International. Panelists agreed to the importance of empowering women and encouraging positive discrimination. The intriguing debate raised questions about the actual extent of a women’s involvement in the Arab uprising with panelists setting up a heated
Panelists agree to empower women and encourage positive argument disregarding the fact that the media exaggerates when a woman takes part in rallies to create revolution and surpass the men. Whilst a panel member Dr. Ebitsam Al Ketbi, a political science professor at UAE University strongly disagreed to the previous fact and said, “The media did not do justice in covering women’s role during the Arab Revolution”. Strongly disagreeing to that statement panelist Sumaya Tayara, a Syrian activist stated that women need not necessarily take part in protests and rallies but can stay behind the scenes by offering relief, raise funds and moral support to families affected by this revolution. Whilst the other panelists debated about the strong need of motivation, to empower the Arab women in the political arena and business management, rightly stated
by the panelist Mohammed Abu Obeid, Al Arabiya TV Anchor and a strong women’s rights defender. A controversial motion discussed in the debate was the human rights model being successfully adopted in the western regions but the implementation of those rights have failed in the Arab world. Amira Yahyaoui, Tunisian human rights activist & blogger at the panel-discussion said, “It’s time for the Arab world to trust in themselves. Human rights are a universal concept we don’t need to take a western model.” To that Soumya Tayara added the fact over how everyone needs to mobilize their energies, re-shape the rights and give birth to our rights, rather than implementing the rights imposed by the western culture. And she also emphasized on the importance of working towards equality and fairness among all humans to bring peace into this world. >> Read more about the Egyptian Revolution, pg 04
ENTERTAINMENT
Half Value Life -depicts the lives of afghani women
Courtesy Royal Films House
Under the violent ruling of the Taliban, this documentary film showcases the hardships faced by women in Afghanistan, Reviews by Qudsiya Siddiqui
Afghanistan, located in the center of Asia a landlocked country which is developing from its war-torn state and under the strict rule of conduct created by the Taliban militants, who strongly oppose any rights given to women. With women trying to defy the existence of Taliban rules in Afghanistan; Elka Sadat the director of Half value life, a woman filmmaker who effectively manages to convey the harsh truth of Afghanistan and ill-treatment of women in this male dominant society. This documentary film showcases the life and works of Marya Basher, the first woman in Afghanistan to have obtained the position of a provincial investigator officer. The film portrays a subjective view from this woman’s perspective her daily activities on tackling cases of young girls who are victims of abuse and mistreatment by their husbands and their families
and are used merely to be child-bearers with no respect and honor on their names. With bits in this 25-min film, the director also shed light on to Marya Basher’s lifestyle as being a working mother and living amongst a nuclear household. The decision-making power within reach she actively supports the young girls and women oppressed and treated cruelly by men in the Muslim minority society present in the country. However by working on such cases she puts her life in danger as she starts receiving death threats from Taliban militants and is forced to home-school her children fearing their safety in the open streets of Herat. This film is truly heart-wrenching as it unveils the reality of Afghanistan. A county known for selling their violent philosophy to the vast majority of Afghanis present in the country.