[ppi] [ppiindia] An Opportunity to Empower Women or an Obligation?

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http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=82914&d=29&m=5&y=2006

            Monday, 29, May, 2006 (02, Jumada al-Ula, 1427)


                  An Opportunity to Empower Women or an Obligation?
                  Samar Fatany, Arab News 

                    
                  At a time when there is encouragement to discuss a changing 
role for women in Saudi society, the nation's media is in a unique position to 
advance those discussions by serving to illuminate our people on the challenges 
we face in keeping pace with the rest of the world. Some editors and 
broadcasters may view it as an opportunity, but perhaps it should be viewed as 
an obligation if we truly want to move the Kingdom forward.

                  Many challenges stand in the way of the empowerment of women 
in Saudi Arabia, and our media ought to adopt a strategy to raise the level of 
awareness and develop the potential of women so that they can better serve 
their country.

                  Already there are many women playing important roles in Saudi 
media, but all Saudi journalists - men and women - need to address these many 
challenges confronting women. Anyone with a realistic grasp of economics knows 
that we truly do not have the luxury of time if we want to see a bright and 
prosperous future for our children; therefore, the challenges facing women 
today need the media's immediate attention. 

                  What follow are my recommendations to break the logjam of 
misconceptions and cultural bugaboos that may constitute a greater and more 
imminent threat to our nation's well-being than any real or imagined foreign 
enemy.

                  We need to stress the important role of women in the 
development and progress of this country and project the national 
responsibility of allowing women to work in all appropriate economic sectors.

                  We need to educate men - husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles 
and others - on the role of working women and the significant contributions of 
which they are capable because of their education so that all understand the 
role these Saudi women - wives, mothers, sisters, aunts and others - can play 
in bringing up a new generation capable of facing modern challenges through 
rational examination and of improving our standard of living.

                  We need to educate both men and women about women's legal 
rights and increase their awareness about the services of governmental and 
nongovernmental organizations, such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and the 
National Society for Human Rights, both of which offer protection for the 
victims of domestic violence and abuse.

                  Of great importance is the need to expose imposed 
non-religious values, trends and traditions that perpetuate family violence and 
deny women the rights Islam guarantees them. It is shameful that family 
violence is not considered a crime in our country as long as it does not lead 
to murder.

                  Media also must encourage respect for dialogue and views of 
others: Despite the formation of the National Dialogue Center and the 
encouragement it received from top officials, our society is quick to dismiss 
opposing views, especially when there are those among us resistant to any 
change who will block new ideas and branding those who present them as 
secularists. In such circumstances, the media and the Internet can become 
weapons of defamation, preserving a status quo unwilling to admit that the ways 
of the past do not lead us to a future for which our children will thank us.

                  The media should emphasize that women are capable of 
determining their future and that they should share in the decision-making 
process. We see the negative effects of men being the sole decision-makers on 
matters related to women. Women account for half of our population, and their 
ideas and suggestions should command the respect of all, just as men's.

                  The media needs to expose the outrages perpetuated against 
women and their children, and the media should serve as a platform calling for 
new laws to protect women and appropriate mechanisms that support divorced or 
abandoned mothers and their children. As long these issues are not addressed, 
the conditions for these struggling families will deteriorate, and some men 
will treat social and legal inaction as a license for irresponsibility without 
any fear of reprisal.

                  Much research is conducted about the Kingdom and its people, 
by sociological, economic and Islamic experts, and the media should feature 
these scientific and theological insights, which can provide people with the 
necessary information to enable them to frame their own, reasoned opinions 
about the challenges we face.

                  The media can also give the public the benefits received 
through examining the experiences of other nations and their leaders in dealing 
with many of the same challenges that our nation faces. The Jeddah Economic 
Forum has set an example in this respect by inviting world famous women 
leaders, such as Irish President Mary McAleese, Queen Rania of Jordan, Dr. 
Thuraya Obaid of the United Nations and others to its annual forums.

                  We are now living in a world without borders - a global 
village. To coexist peacefully nations must work with other parties to identify 
their roles in this international community.

                  With a burgeoning, young population, our nation must identify 
its role in this international community if it is to create a future of 
economic growth and development with a rising standard of living rather than a 
declining one. In every country in today's world that is finding success, women 
are playing an important role. 

                  That is not a matter of conjecture; it is a matter of fact, 
and the fact is that we need to overcome these obstacles now.

                  I would hope that simply because we are Muslims we would see 
the need to empower women in the name of Islamic justice, but even if our 
thoughts were only to revolve around money and investments we would come to the 
same conclusion that women need to be empowered if we wish to flourish in this 
world.

                  As to whether it is an obligation or simply an opportunity 
for Saudi media to help move the empowerment of women forward may be a matter 
for discussion. In my view, however, the leaders of our Kingdom in their wisdom 
have initiated a national dialogue and also encouraged the media to play a role 
in that effort, which creates a responsibility - both for the people and the 
media - to help create a shared, national vision for the future. 

                  It's a responsibility that should not be taken lightly, and 
it is a responsibility that cannot be ignored.

                  - Samar Fatany is a radio journalist. She is based in Jeddah
                 
           
     


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