November 7 - November 14

The following are summaries of democratic reform-related articles that appeared in newspapers from the region between November 7 and 14:

BAHRAIN

Girls enrolling in universities in the Kingdom registered a five per cent increase over the past year, dispelling the myth that Arab women lagged behind their global counterparts in pursuit for education. This was revealed in an annual report of the World Economic Forum. However, Barhain scored a lagging position in the global index for gender gap, and even though it scored high in the education field for both genders, it scored low in terms of women’s economic and political participation. (Al Ayam, Bahrain Tribune Nov. 10).

His Majesty King Hamad Al Khalifa issued a royal decree appointing the following women in the Supreme Council for Women, with a three-year renewable membership:
Dr. Sheikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa, Lulwa Saleh Al Awadi, Dr. Fatema Mohamed Al Bloushi, Sheikha Hessa bint Khalida Al Khalifa, Sheikha Wasal bint Mohamed Al Khalifa, Dr. Nada Abbas Hifath, Dr. Bahiya Jawad Al Jashi, Ayesha Ahmed Al Ansari, Wafia Jaafar Khalaf, Dr. Munira Ahmed Fakhro, Dr. Fadeela Taher Al Mahroos, Ayesha Khalifa Matar, Rabab Abdul Nabi Al Areed, Dr. Jawaher Shaheen Al Madhaki, Afnan Rashed Al Zeyani, Dr. Naimiya Faisal Al Dosari. Lulwa Saleah Al Awadi was reappointed as Secretary General to the Council with a Minister’s rank.
(Al Ayam Nov. 9)

The Ministry of Social Development has agreed to amend Article 13, where it has the right to conduct a random field inspection visits to the organisations once every three months, said Catherine M. Shea, the Programme Director of the International Centre for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL). If the NGO wants to register and the ministry has no answer in 60 days, then it is automatically considered registered. This will help in the ministry sleeping over any application,” said Shea. She said that the ministry had agreed to the suggestion. Upon publication in the Official Gazette the organsiation is accepted. Immediately upon the expiry of the 60 days the organisation would be considered legal. No publication in the gazette is required and the registration number is given right away after the 60 days have elapsed. (Bahrain Tribune Nov. 12)

On November 10, the Bahrain Institute for Political Development organized a lecture entitled “Values and Characteristics of Good Citizenship”, presented by parliament member Dr. Abed Ali Hassan, in which he discussed the importance of active participation of citizens in all society activities. (Al Ayam Nov. 11)

JORDAN

On November 12, the Jordanian government renewed its invitation to NGOs to “observe and follow up” on the November 20 parliamentary elections, but insisted their representatives cannot enter polling booths. Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh told reporters that for organizational purposes, civil society organizations interested in observing the elections should work under the umbrella of the National Centre for Human Rights. A 15-member umbrella organization announced last week that its members dropped a plan to monitor the polls. “Indications lead to the belief that upcoming elections will not be clean or transparent,” the statement, written in English, said. Not allowing NGOs to monitor the elections is one of these signs, the Islamic Action Front said. (Jordan Times, Al Arab Alyawm Nov. 13)
More than 1,400 young people agreed on Monday that candidates running for the forthcoming elections should enjoy leadership skills and be acquainted with the country’s legislation and challenges. The youngsters gathered at the “Sharek” tent at Al Hussein University campus in Maan. Organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Political Development, the Higher Council for Youth and the Jordan Youth Forum, the event was designed to encourage the younger generation to take part in the polls. (Jordan Times Nov. 13)
Voter turnout in the November 20 parliamentary elections is expected to cross the 50 per cent mark, although the majority of Jordanians believe the 14th Parliament shirked its responsibilities, an exit poll revealed on November 11. "The public evaluation for the 14th Parliament was negative. The previous Lower House did not carry out its constitutional duties including scrutinising actions of the executive authority, legislation endorsement, reviewing public spending and voicing out public concern," said the study, conducted by the University of Jordan's Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS). According to the present study, 50 per cent did not believe the former Parliament was successful in doing its job and only 13 per cent said it was independent of outside interference. Around 80 per cent believe personal interest was the main factor influencing deputies' votes. (Jordan Times Nov. 12)
Jordanian artist Wissam Shadid works on a 60 square metre piece of graffiti in Amman on Saturday as part of a campaign led by the Jordan Media Strengthening Programme, an IREX media initiative, and other civil society organisations, aimed at stimulating more public participation in the November 20 parliamentary polls. (The graffiti, rhyming in Arabic, says that anyone who does not vote will not be represented by an MP). (Jordan Times Nov. 11)

Jordan graffiti

The Jordan National Committee for Women's Affairs launched a campaign for the support of women in parliamentary elections within its directives in the support of Jordanian women and their effort to reach the level of decision making under the motto "Women of Jordan from the field ... to Parliament. The Committee's goal is to endeavour to introduce women who have come from different cultural backgrounds and various fields in order to reach Parliament. During the launching of the campaign, Asma Khader, Secretary General of the Committee pointed out that support of the candidates does not focus on political culture awareness but strives to prepare a document for candidates’ review, to be approved on the seventeenth of the current month containing various women's political, economic and social demands. (Al-Arab Al-Yawm Nov. 11)
The below caricature of Al Arab Al Yawm newspaper Nov. 8 is critical of false slogans presented by some candidates. The picture shows an electoral candidate promising “to stop Spain at its limits, reduce the price of fuel oil barrel, address the global warming issue, eliminate unemployment, and fight false slogans”!
Results of the Jordan Times Nov. 7 Weekly Poll
Are there any candidates who you think would be capable of representing you in the next parliament?
Yes (53 %)
No (40 %)
Don't care (7 %)
Total Votes: 129

KUWAIT
A group of former candidates for membership of the Senate agreed on the necessity of laying down a unified strategy for engaging in the next parliamentary elections. Sheikha Al-Ghanem, a former candidate, stated that to respect public opinion which rejected the women's quota system in Parliament, we, the candidates, have decided to unite and coordinate with the political parties and members of the Senate in order to cooperate even up to joining instead of the quota so that we may be nearer to the public and realize our targets and satisfy them. On the other hand, Taybeh Al-Ibrahim, an author and writer, spoke about the necessity and importance of amending the Second Article of the Constitution which stipulates that 'The State's religion is Islam and Islamic legislature is the primary source for legislation' to read 'That Kuwait is a Civil State and that its laws are statutory', attributing this to the rapid progress and change in mankind. (Al Qabas Nov. 14)

Aisha Al Rasheed, President of 'Outstanding Parliamentary Performance' Establishment inaugurated the first project for the development of women's leaderships and rehabilitation of female candidates and employees as consultants in the electoral campaigns and cultural awareness, attended by international expert Dr. Moza Al Malki from Qatar, members of the American Embassy and the Middle East Partnership Initiative Office(MEPI). The project was aimed at a generation of women who will spread awareness and political culture in their society. Youssef Khalil, Political Specialist representing the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait talked about the role of the Embassy in this project which is between the Outstanding Parliamentary Performance Establishment i.e. proprietor of the project and MEPI. (Al Qabas Nov. 13)

Political Activist Najla’ Al Naqi organized a get-together, attended by Dr. Kamilia Al Solh, Social and Economic Sciences Advisor in the Regional Office for the Arab World of the United Nations Development Programme. The meeting, attended by women activists including Nabila Al Anjari, former electoral candidate witnessed a series of women's stands which reflected the Kuwaiti woman's determination to practice its role in participating in decision making refusing to relinquish her rights. In a statement to KUNA, Al Solh said that the visit is part of a tour which includes seven Arab countries to meet social functions and define priorities on the subject of strengthening women's role within the framework of human development.
(Al Qabas Nov. 8)
OMAN
The Oman Accreditation Council (OAC), now in its sixth year, has made major gains in its efforts to develop the quality of higher education in the Sultanate. Maximising quality in today's increasingly competitive global world is an priority especially as the current economic and development boom in the Sultanate puts a stronger focus on human resource development through higher education. Over the last 12 months, the OAC has been delivering training sessions to the higher education sector throughout the country as part of the Oman Quality Training Programme, an initiative developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education. (Oman Observer Nov. 14)

The Youth Observer is celebrating five years of serving the nation, and the latest issue published with paper carries a list of schools, both public and private, that have contributed to this great exercise in learning. What is encouraging is that the Youth Observer has become a nationwide publication with schools sending in articles, pictures and poems from Salalah, Rustaq, Dibba, Dhahirah, Bid Bid, Yanqul, Suwaiq, Sharqiyah South, and Musandam, to name but a few. It has often been a joint effort with students and teachers working together in English Clubs preparing special events, which have later been sent to the Youth Observer. Senior Editor, Dr Patricia Groves, in a front page article describes new openings for young people studying today. (Oman Observer Nov. 13)

Al Buraimi college organized an open dialogue for the college’s male and female students. The dialogue was attended by the chairman, dean, and faculty members, who were seeking to respond to the students’ needs and assist in achieving them. (Oman Nov. 9)
QATAR
Despite an increase in education and general awareness here, many Qatari men do not want to see women entering politics. A quarter of Qatari males interviewed in a survey on the role of the upcoming parliament said they believed women should not take up political career. Interestingly, 19 per cent of women surveyed agreed with this viewpoint and said they would prefer to see their ilk to remain away from politics. The survey was conducted by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in conjunction with Qatar University and the findings were presented at a workshop on raising political awareness in Qatari society.
(The Peninsula Nov. 14)

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in coordination with Qatar TV and Radio, announced its preparation for broadcasting special programs for expatriates, in order to spread society awareness on the rights and treatment of foreign laborers. Mr. Abdullah Al Mahindi, director of labor department at the Ministry, explained that procedures to spread awareness will include the issuance of an educational pamphlet for laborers, that contain basic information about their rights and duties, and how to contact human rights and disputes sections in the country. (Al Rayah Nov. 13)

The Supreme Family Council’s permanent committee for elections held a discussion panel on the obstacles hindering Qataris’ empowerment & political participation. During the discussion, Researcher Kaltham Ali Al Ghanem said that she is against giving a ‘quota’ to women, explaining that women need to win on their own merits to eliminate negative impressions about them, mainly that they are not fit for political work. Ghanem called for creating opportunities for women to compete and change the society’s stereotypical attitudes on the role of women. (Al Rayah Nov. 12)

SAUDI ARABIA
Proposals by a group of concerned Saudis to launch an organization to protect the rights of workers and tackle unemployment in the Kingdom have been declined by the Ministry of Labor. Anees Al-Ansari, founder and president of the Saudi Society of Labor, received a telephone call last week from the labor minister’s office informing him that the organization had been denied permission, as there are already other bodies that play a similar role. “I was very disappointed to know that we were rejected. It isn’t like we live in an ideal society with no employment problems,” Al-Ansari said. Asmaa Al-Jihani, deputy president of the society, said the reasons given were ambiguous.
(Arab News Nov. 14)
UAE
The US Department of State, through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), is providing funding for a five-month program to empower young Arab women by acquiring skills, gain experience and grow as professionals and investors. The 2008 Legal and Business Fellowship Program (LBFP) is being extended throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by America-Mideast Educational and Training Services Inc. (AMIDEAST), a non-profit organization. Since 2004, 114 dynamic young professional women from across the MENA region have successfully completed this program. While the program is open to all Arab women, preference in the UAE will be given to Emirati women.(Khaleej Times Nov. 12).

The Education Ministry is striving to improve the quality of education by revamping the educational system in public schools to cut down the number of students enrolling for the foundation courses to continue education at colleges and universities, said Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Education. Dr Hassan said that the importance of education can be gauged from the fact that the UAE federal budget earmarked for education for 2007 is Dh7.11 billion. In a previous statement for the minister, he stated that educational reform would involve the restructuring of the Ministry of Education in particular, with the formation of educational councils and institutions. (Gulf News Nov. 8)

The General Women’s Union concluded its “Social and Media Gender Mainstreaming” training course, as part of the UAE gender mainstreaming courses organized by the Union in conjunction with United Nations Development Program. Trainer Reem Obaidat, Media, communication, and women specialist, stressed on the importance of quality training for women, since a “scared and absent” media will, in many instances, reflected a blurred picture of women. (Al-Ittihad Nov. 13)

YEMEN
In a move to expand local initiatives to develop girls’ education in Yemen, the Broadening Regional Initiative for Developing Girls’ Education, or BRIDGE, program, in cooperation with the Yemen Times, has launched a project in 59 schools in six regions of Taiz governorate. A four-day workshop that concluded Wednesday focused on the importance of developing girls’ education in Taiz, as well as discussing the BRIDGE program’s process to improve basic education levels (grades 1 to 9) in rural schools and communities. Journalists, civil society activists, businesspersons, policymakers and other interested individuals from Sana’a and Taiz participated in the workshop and a field survey (Yemen Times Nov. 7)

At the third session of the Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights (SAF) held Monday in cooperation with NDI, Yemeni women discussed the possibility of implementing a quota system in Parliament by dedicating 15 percent of seats for women. The National Democratic Institute suggests ways to increase women’s representation in the next elections by allocating 15 percent of parliamentary seats for them under a quota system in Yemen. NDI program representative Flour Borming affirms that it is important to call for such a system’s implementation, but this will happen only if Yemeni political parties accept the seating quota system as a way to ensure women’s representation in the next elections. SAF director Amal Al-Basha called on political party representatives to enhance women’s participation in politics and expressed her dissatisfaction with the percentage the ruling party has allocated for women’s representation in elections. (Yemen Times Nov. 7)

On November 5, the Yemeni General Women’s Union held a discussion meeting for a number of women leaders, civil society activists, and members of local councils. During the meeting, Salma Al Ktheeri, Head of one of the Union’s branches, and Alia Al Hamedi, head of the legal awareness for women’s project, discussed steps takes by the union to spread awareness and legal protection programs and enlighten women of their rights. One lawyer discussed methods of providing legal support to women on issues such as alimony, custody, personal status, and on consultation services presented to these women.
(Al Ayam Nov. 7)




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