Feminism in the Arab Spring

For my case study I have been looking at Libya and The Arab Spring. This prompted my interest in the Arab Spring, particularly women’s part in the revolts. It is well known the women are particularly repressed and mistreated in the Arab World. In fact my best friend is Arab and her mother has told me many stories about her treatment by her Arabic husband.

Women’s rights have always been central to the problems in the Arab world and therefore it is interesting to see just how relevant the issue is in the Arab Spring.

Women have been central to the Arab Spring, especially in Egypt. Before the revolts women’s rights in Egypt were particularly bad. For example women have to wear veils and female circumcision was still common practice.

However, during the revolution women had a central role. They joined the men on the street and sleep peacefully next to them in the tents set up in the streets.

Egypt is also relevant as in 1919 there were uprisings with very large female participation. This resulted in the creation of Egyptian Women Union which promotes women’s rights throughout the Arab world.

Therefore, the female participation in these uprisings could lead to greater women’s rights, as it did in 1919. For example the Egyptian parliament passed a law creating 64 seats in the house which must go to women, since the revolution.

It will be very interesting to see where the feminist movement goes in the Arab world since the Arab Spring.  Is this is the opening women need to ensure their place in the new Arab world is an equal one or is the culture of the Arab world is too strong to allow such a radical change?