An EU-funded new empowerment project to strengthen Arab women's political participation and challenge exclusion from decision making

Al Hayat newspaper published a report about Arab women's political participation especially following the recent series of revolts in the region.  The report notes that Arab women are still excluded from decision making although they constitute half of society.  The report also notes that there are growing concerns that women may lose gains made with the return of traditional gender roles in the region.
The report presents information on a regional project entitled “Strengthening the role of parties and unions to enhance women’s political participation”, which is implemented by a number of organisations in the Arab region namely: The Feminist Studies Centre (Palestine), Centre for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance (Egypt), Arab Institute for Human Rights (Tunisia and Morocco), Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises (Lebanon).  The project is funded by Oxfam Novib and the European Union and seeks to break the traditional image which associates women's political participation with particular age and profession groups.  The project targets the youth and aims at boosting women’s participation at the decision making levels and not just within the rank and file of political parties and trade unions.
The regional coordinator of the project, Manar Zeaiter from RDFL, notes that women are significantly present in Lebanese political parties and trade unions but do not take part in decision making.  She added that women in political parties do not carry a women agenda and do not act to demand for women's rights.  The project thus will focus on organising seminars and workshops for women in collaboration with political parties and trade unions on issues important for women such as family laws, women's work and other issues.  Zeaiter notes that independent women are also targeted by the project through the organisation of training workshops on political participation.  As such the project will target women who would like to participate in municipal or parliamentary elections and who have had some experience in this field so that they are able to overcome obstacles such as patriarchal mindsets.
Source: Al-Hayat 12 June 2014