Multiple forms of women’s work is gainful for them and for society at large || Newspapers (Arabic)

An Nahar newspaper published an article by Azza Sharara where she argues that women’s work is gainful both at a personal and relational level although it has not curbed gender based violence and discrimination.

The researcher begins by defining working women according to the recent report published by the Central Administration for Statistics according to whom 23% of women above 15 years of age work compared to 73% for men within the same age category.  This percentage, according to CAS, increases to 47% for the 25 to 24 age group and drops again afterwards before settling on the overall average or slightly lower for the subsequent age groups. The researcher added that the percentage of non-married working women is 57%, compared to less than 35% to married women and university degrees women holders is 47% of the total women in the work force.
Sharara argues that these figures relate mostly to non-married women and the youth as these are the most prone to work.  This may also denote that women tend to leave work after marriage and after having children so as to take care of their families.

Sharara then structure her articles around six points.  First, she points put to the issue of economic independence and indicates that whereas more than 50% of working women contribute to household expenses, this does not protect them from violence.  Many women, she notes, are not aware of their husbands’ income which constitutes one aspect of violence.  The second issue relates to the work pressures that women face including gender based discrimination and sexual harassment although studies indicate that working women enjoy better mental health and show lesser signs of depression.

In terms of housework and caring for children, the researcher notes in her third and fourth chapters that  working women bear the brunt of housework thus assuming a double responsibilities within and outside the household.  However, the researcher notes that women’s work outside the household has further confirmed the importance of women’s household work and led to an understanding that housework and caring for the family can indeed be construed as ‘true’ work and not as a “natural role”.  As such, house-workers deserve to be paid and to enjoy benefits as any kind of work.  Sharara argues that the common idea that the children of working women perform poorly academically is simply a myth that is convenient for those with conservative views of gender roles.

In terms of equality and violence, Sharara adds that working outside the home provides women with self confidence and emancipation but may not lead to gender equality except for those who hold upper level jobs.  She also notes that women victims of violence often surpass their abusers in their education and/or career achievements.  She concludes by confirming that violence against women is not necessarily linked to whether women work or not and by comparing working and non working women and indicates that working women have more interest in public affairs and tend to follow news on the media much more.
To read the full article please click on the following link, knowing that it is found in the Arabic Language only.

Source: Al-Nahar 8 April 2013