WUNRN
FIDH - International Federation for
Human Rights
JORDAN - INTERVIEW WITH PROJECTS
DIRECTOR, ARAB WOMEN ORGANIZATION JORDAN - WOMEN'S RIGHTS MOVE FORWARD
10 March 2011
What is your perspective on the
ongoing events throughout the region? What do you think are the potential
implications for women’s rights?
I consider what happened in Tunisia then in Egypt, and the impact these events
have had on other Arab countries, as a step forward for women’s rights. I think
that especially in Egypt the revolution clarified that women and men stand side
by side. They stood together in protest for 18 days in Tahrir square in Cairo.
They were calling for freedom and social justice. And these are the same
demands that women have; gender freedom and social justice. It is very
important to note that these were peaceful protests. And that the people called
for a civil state and a secular state. All of this in my opinion means that
this is a new dawn for women in the movement.
Especially after several tragic years of backlash, during which women’s
achievements were overshadowed by the dominating attitudes toward women,
particularly under the influence of Islamist fundamentalists. In Jordan the
tribal lords were aligning against women’s rights. But now things have taken a
new turn. Women’s rights are being put on the table, and we hope that they will
emerge as a priority. I feel that there can be no going back to that time in
history, that there will be no more backlashes and those who would like to pull
the wheel backwards will not succeed. I hope not.
It is our perception, that during the events in Egypt, men and women,
particularly the youth were working together. We saw evidence in interviews
that we watched over the satellites and on the cable news that young men were
supporting women’s rights. We want these attitudes and mentalities to prevail
and we would like this to be the future of our countries. However, there
remains a danger that old mentalities will persist. But, this we feel is our
battle and we shall fight it. We will not allow for calls to restrict women’s
rights to pass.
On 1 February, following
widespread popular protests throughout Jordan, King Abdullah II dismissed Prime
Minister Samir Rifai and his cabinet and pledged to begin a programme of
democratic reform. Marouf Bakhit was appointed Prime Minister and a new cabinet
is to be formed.
Are protests continuing
in Jordan? What actions has your organisation taken?
Women in Jordan feel a sense of solidarity with the revolution in Egypt and
Tunisia. They have also participated in demonstrations here in Jordan, in
Amman. First to express their solidarity with those who have been struggling in
Egypt and in Tunisia, and with those who are now struggling in Libya, in Yemen
and in Bahrain. Additionally, women have taken to the streets in Amman in order
to call for reforms, and in particular legal and political reforms affecting
women’s rights. Because in Jordan as most of the Arab countries there have been
delays in the implementation of women’s rights according to international
standards. There have been a lot of conventions, policies and public statements
for women’s rights, but in fact, their implementation has been delayed because
of fear of the influence of fundamentalists. Now there is no excuse for delay.
We have expressed this sentiment throughout the past eight weeks during which
we have participated in demonstrations calling for quick reforms and a national
dialogue for improvement of the situation of women. The Arab Women Organisation
has organised large meetings with the governors in three provinces: Karak,
Irbid and Amman in order to trigger national dialogue to discuss women’s
issues. Because usually during large protests, when people are calling for
general reforms, demands for equality and women’s rights are overshadowed, and
neglected. We will no longer accept for women’s issues to be neglected or
overshadowed by the big events and big reforms. With the reforms that the
people are asking for in Jordan, we are also calling for reforms pertaining to
women’s rights.
What are your views on
the challenges to women’s political participation in the post-revolution
transitions?
This is a serious concern for us, because we don’t want to go back to the era
where women were excluded. In Algeria for example, women were active in the
liberation movement, they were at the forefront of the revolution, fighting
together with men (1954-1962). When the war was over women were sent back to
their homes and were not given their rights. This didn’t just happen in
Algeria, it happened everywhere. We have learned our lesson!
Women’s issues have been neglected for the last 50 years. Now we are more alert
and aware that we must insist that women are included in the process, whether
we are discussing the writing of a new constitution in Egypt or the new Cabinet
in Tunisia or a new government in Jordan. We want women’s issues to be
considered. When we met with the leaders in Karat, Irbid and Amman in order to
stress that women be included in the national dialogue in Jordan we put forward
two main demands: 30 percent quota for women’s participation in the decision
making process, there can be no compromises on this demand, and that all
international conventions be implemented, and incorporated into the national
laws. In Jordan these are our specific demands relating to women’s rights.
And all over the Arab world now women and women NGOs are networking in order to
affect their governments. In Egypt and in Tunisia they have done so through
petitions, statements and declarations stressing that women must not be
excluded. We must not repeat the harm done in the past to the progress of
societies by neglecting women.
Interview conducted by
Shawna Carroll - FIDH