Women Taking Advantage of Arab Spring

Amman, Jordan – As the Arab Spring continues to take root across the region, governments are reviewing their constitutions and drafting laws that allow the formation of political parties and spell out election processes.  As a result of these changing times, women now more than ever, have an opportunity to make their voices heard in the political process, and this weekend, the Arab Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI) hosted a training to help women do just that.

Women from nine countries who are currently in office, contesting elections and acting as leaders in their communities attended the three-day event at AWLI’s headquarters in Amman.  One thing was certain: the sense of excitement for these opportunities in the Middle East was felt by all.

“If you hold a training in my country for campaign managers and candidates on women’s participation, you should do it in Cairo Stadium!” exclaimed Reham Sabry, AWLI member and civil society activist from Egypt, when discussing election laws.

A panel of women who have been active in developing constitutional amendments and election laws in Egypt, Iraq and the West Bank were on hand to provide expert, technical advice to the participants.  Lively debates over the merits of gender-based quotas, proportional representation and whether they help or hinder women were also had.

In addition to the panel, the participants worked on how to better promote their stories in a time when social networking sites and text messages are becoming an important mode of sharing information.  Some of the women also created video-taped messages advocating for changes in quota requirements and other laws in their home countries.

AWLI was established in 2008 by the International Republican Institute and mentors women from 15 Arab countries.  This is the third training in a series that will be conducted this year to help women seize opportunities to improve their status in the region.