Throughout history, men have led all revolutions in the Middle East. Be it against the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders or the French – men have always been the leaders in the change or fight for freedom. I think that has changed. Today – 2011 – men still play an active part in any revolution, but they are not alone. Arab women have been taking on excessive and demanding roles in the revolutions of the Middle East – not only in action, but also in preparation and organization.
When I spent my time in Tahrir Square of Cairo, I found that women were just as much of a driving force as were the men. The same can be said about Bahrain today, and Lebanon in the past. See, the region has developed in thought and in ideology I think. I noticed that the women in our part of the world have really started to take a leading role in what they want as a future. The future we will see in the Middle East, really is one built by the women of today.
It’s not about feminism as an ideology or as a movement, but its about feminism as a partnership with men – and thats what women have accomplished in the Middle East [ or are at least aiming for]. Women have usually been the “underdog” in the region, and because we know how important it is to have equal rights and equal say – we want to have the SAME rights as men, not more.
As a Lebanese woman who has high hopes for the Middle East – specifically Egypt and Lebanon – I want to take an active role in all events. Yes, I know, with all the things going on I can’t be everywhere at once, but I can be there in spirit. There is still a lot of work in to be done in Egypt, specifically with the concept of getting women active roles in the government that they so strongly fought to change. Also, women are still being actively vocal about issues in Libya – and this I am seeing with my own eyes daily. Last week three women activists and I traveled to the northern border town of As Sallum and then traveled south to another town close to the Libyan border called Siwa – this is remarkable because not only are Egyptian women trying to organize and establish a prosperous Egypt, they are also aiding Libyans in their plight for freedom. I noticed something in Siwa. The men worked to make a living, and Egyptian women who were at home would make food to be sent to the border to help both Egyptian soldiers or Libyans crossing into Egypt. As Sallum was a little bit more reserved, but thats because the situation is much scarier around there.
Then we have Bahraini women who have day after day worked to keep their cause alive and running. Then we have our female activists from Gaza who have been sharing their stories to the world, and that is one of the strongest forms of activism I know. But before all of this – I want to mention my fellow Lebanese ladies. What a beautiful, powerful, and inspirational group of ladies. Since the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, Lebanese women have been activists in fighting for their freedom from the Syrian regime. They have fought in gaining freedom from Israel in the South, and supported other causes around the region via the internet. They have been leaders, and powerful ones to that may I add, in the online Arab world and for that I am very proud of them.
I mean, there are so many ways the Arab women are changing their nations. Whether it is online activism, standing in the streets, cooking for other protesters, or organizing the events and how they will unfold [ the powerful women of Egypt's April 6 movement are awesome examples] – women are standing up and being heard in the region. And I am proud the Lebanese women have been leading these things for years. So kudos to all you beautiful Arab ladies.
I was actually looking online and came across some awesome bloggers who are Arab women raising their voices. Check out @Abzzyy and her blog here. You can actually check out @zmasri and her blog here. Through them and their blogs – I am sure you’ll find even more powerful and inspirational Arab women!
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