EGYPT

Convention on Violence Against Women

The ‘Alliance for Arab Women’, an Egyptian NGO, organized a conference on the elimination of forms of violence against women in collaboration with the United Nations and the Arab Human Rights Organization. The main issues were women battering, and marital and acquaintance rape. The convention concluded with several recommendations, the most significant of which were the necessity of developing and activating help centers for abused women, in addition to having a more pervasive role of state institutions in the protection of these women who are, after all, citizens of the state.

(L’Orient Le Jour May 15, 2003)

International Convention on Women’s Status in Islam

The Islamic Council in Egypt held a world conference on the status of women in Islam, their liberation through an Islamic perspective and the obstacles they face. It was held at Al-Azhar University and attended by a number of political figures, religious clerics, women leaders, and intellectual, cultural and political organizations.
Several topics were conferred, among which were the status of women in early Islam and women in Islamic jurisprudence in conjunction with several studies and research projects on these issues.

(Al Mostaqbal Feb.20,2003)

JORDAN

Arab Woman Organization Sees Light

Under the patronage of Queen Rania of Jordan, the Arab Woman Organization was launched in purpose of conducting research and work projects concerning the issues of women in the Arab region.

(Al Mostaqbal March 15, 2003)

Quota in Parliament for Women
A Jordanian governmental committee has recommended the reservation of 8 seats for women in parliament. Women machineries have considered this a step forward in the struggle for women’s rights. Others however, including Tujan Al Faisal, the only woman in parliament for the term of 1993-1997, declared this a violation of the constitution that should guarantee equality for citizens, and a degrading act of charity that undermines the credibility of women.

(Al Hayat Jan. 24, 2003)

MOROCCO

International Convention on Women’s Issues

The International Convention on Women’s Issues was held in Marrakech in the presence of more than 80 state representatives, among who were more than 30 female ministers.
The opening speech by Lalla Hasna, sister of the present King, linked any prospects for development with the inclusion of women in all domains.
The significance of the conference being held in an Arab state for the first time lay in the opportunities it presented for participants and local women and organizations to share knowledge and experience. In addition to that, it allowed foreign participants to concretely assess the extent to which women in Morocco are incorporated in professional spheres usually reserved for men like business and contracting, and all other fields in general.

(Le Matin June 30, 2003)
(At-Tajdid June 30, 2003)

BAHRAIN

Unified Personal Status Code

Around 70 Bahraini feminist activists have organized a silent demonstration in the enclosure of the Ministry of Justice to call for the unification of personal status laws, the reform of the religious judicial system and the appointment of academically qualified and competent religious judges. The activists then presented the National Council with a law proposal for the unification of personal law prepared under qualified legal supervision.

(Annahar Jan.6, 2003)

Research and Studies

LEBANON

Women During Wartime

Under the auspices of the Lebanese first lady, and from the stance that the needs of women are usually overlooked in wartime, Queen Rania of Jordan launched the study on women during wartime in Beirut last June. The primary goals of the study were to recognize and analyze women’s needs, to research the competency of international humanitarian law and the law of political asylum with the needs of women which were determined by the study, and finally, to present recommendations in this prospect.
The study stipulates that during wartime women are especially vulnerable to social exclusion, poverty, and sexual assault. War also shifts the traditional role of women from homemakers to breadwinners, and pushes them to be politically aware and active.
The significance of the study rests with the fact that it helps all those concerned to understand the effects of war on women, and projects an image of the groups of women that are most likely to be victimized during wartime.

(Annahar June 7, 2003)

Migration, Economy and Marriage

A study run by the Economic and Social Committee for Western Asia (ESCWA) on marriage rates in Lebanon shows that the rate in Lebanon has declined sharply over the past few years, while the average marrying age has risen for both men and women to become 31 and 27.5 years respectively; this rate is very similar to rates in the USA, France and Denmark. The study ascertained that for the age group of 25-29 years, there are 7 single males for every 10 single females. The rate drops for the age group 30-34 years to 4 males per every 10 females.
This phenomenon is correlated to several variables such as the higher educational level that Lebanese women have attained, economic activity, and increased migration; these factors have altered the traditional choices of women.
Fertility levels have declined, but alternative marriage patterns have not occurred yet. However, the study holds that cohabitation has emerged as a fact that will need to be regulated.

(Annahar Sept. 2, 2003)

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Honor Killings on the Rise

The Women’s Center for Legal and Social Counseling conducted a statistical study to determine the rate of ‘honor’ crimes that seem to be on the rise including incest. The findings show that the rate has risen to 12% of all criminal acts after the Intifada broke out, whereas it had not exceeded 5% before the Intifada. The center director attributed this rise to the Israeli procedures such as curfews and sieges that breed frustration, and to the destruction of family homes compelling whole families to stay in one small room that encourages intimate friction and incest.
It is also common that the police and state institutions are not taking any steps towards settling this matter under the claim that political concerns take precedence over social ones.

Al Mostaqbal Feb.6, 2003)

TUNISIA

Arab Women and Decision-Making

The Center of Arab Women for Training and Research (CAWTAR) conducted a recent survey on Arab women's contributions to decision making. The survey covered a sample of 6 Arab states: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Kuwait, Palestine, and its main objective was to detect the mechanisms for women's participation in decision- making.
Based on survey results and analyses it was possible to bring to light the following tendencies: In general, women holding decision- making positions are married, over 40 years ago, with less than three children; Most have been to college, hold a post graduate degree and work in the public sector i.e. government institutions.
Obstacles to full female participation in the decision –making process were essentially related to two factors: male hegemony in the workplace and family duties.
To address such difficulties, women suggested adjustments in the work schedules and a wider participation of the spouse in household duties. They also suggest fostering their promotion in the workplace, enhancing their educational level, especially in the sciences and in technical areas. They maintained that the focus should be placed on education and training and also on a number of dominating values.

MOROCCO

Study on Single Mothers

A recent study on single mothers conducted by UNFPA, UNICEF and UNIFEM has shown that an approximate 5000 children had been conceived outside of wedlock in Casablanca alone during the past 4 years, raising the number of single mothers to almost 5040, only 3240 of which had kept their babies. Of those, only 1300 have resorted to help and support from civil organizations. 90% of the cases were a product of an ‘illicit’ sexual relation, while 6% were out of rape, and the rest were a result of prostitution.
Concerning the background of these women, the study indicates that 55% have at least completed their secondary education, and that 67% have been active and working when the pregnancy occurred but the rate dropped to 57% after delivery. 73% of the fathers have been informed but only 43% admitted to their parenthood without actually upholding any responsibility.
The importance of this study lies in the fact that it is the first study ever to statistically and quantitatively report a phenomenon that has long been the concern of the state and civil society.

(Ittihad Ishtiraki April 30, 2003)

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