Something interesting happened with the news coverage of the Arab Rising. More and more women were appearing in scenes that were once dominated solely by men.
Now there is a lot of talk about the birth of a new Arab civilization. Yes there certainly is a birth but the question is will this be a great civilization or something else? I can say that without including women the Arab Rising will not reach its full potential. After all, would there have been a British Empire without Queen Elizabeth I? Would ancient Egypt have endured without Queen Hatshepsut?
No, therefore women must be an equal partner in this rising otherwise you are cutting half your population out of the process thereby reducing your positive productivity by half as well. Historically women have played a great part in the Islamic world. Mohamed’s first convert was a woman, his wife. Would there be a billion Muslims today if there had not been that first convert?
So for the rising to reach its zenith women must be an equal part of that democratic movement. Without them the dream will be but a dream out of reach to all equally.