Arab Human Development Report 2005: Towards the Rise of Women in the Arab World

335 Pages·2006·3.94 MB·English

by  United Nations Development Programme

United nations development programme
arab FUnd For economic and social development
arab gUlF programme For United nations development organizations
The Arab Human
Development
Report 2005
Towards the Rise of Women in the Arab World
Regional Bureau for Arab States
Copyright © 2006
By the United Nations Development Programme,
Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS),
1 UN Plaza, New York, New York, 10017, USA
All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced,
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without prior permission of UNDP / RBAS
Available through:
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Cover Design:
Shady Mohamed Awad
Layout and Production: SYNTAX, Amman, Jordan
Printed at: National Press, Amman, Jordan
ISBN: 92-1-1261740-0
Printed in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The analysis and policy recommendations of this Report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations
Development Programme, its Executive Board Members or UN Member States. The Report is the work of an
independent team of authors sponsored by the Regional Bureau for Arab States, UNDP.
This work was originally published in Arabic. In any cases of discrepancies, the original language shall govern.
Foreword by the Administrator, UNDP
This year’s Arab Human Development Report triggering a lively debate about the challenges,
marks the fourth, in a four-part series that opportunities, and exigencies that must be
has made a significant contribution to the reckoned with if good governance, respect for
debate on the development challenges facing human rights, and human development are to
the Arab world. become defining characteristics of the modern
The pioneering first report, issued in 2002, Arab state. What started out as a daring
identified three critical development “deficits” experiment itself has served as a catalyst for
– in the acquisition of knowledge, in political other work and given rise to innovation and
freedoms, and in women’s rights – that have change throughout the region.
held back human development throughout No reform – whether political or otherwise
the Arab region despite considerable natural – can take place, let alone succeed, without
wealth and great potential for economic and an active exchange of ideas. Sometimes, this
social progress. The second and third reports process takes place harmoniously, with a
focused on the deficits in knowledge and convergence of views that leads to consensus.
freedom, respectively. Sometimes, the end result can be nothing
This year’s report presents a compelling more than an agreement to disagree. Given
argument as to why realising the full the contentious nature of the issues covered in
potential of Arab women is an indispensable the AHDRs, it should come as no surprise that
prerequisite for development in all Arab their preparation has tended to fall into this
states. It argues persuasively that the long latter category, with this year’s report being
hoped-for Arab “renaissance” cannot and no exception.
will not be accomplished unless the obstacles In this regard, it is necessary for me to
preventing women from enjoying their reiterate the statement of my predecessor,
human rights and contributing more fully to Mark Malloch Brown, who wrote in last year’s
development are eliminated and replaced with report, “the AHDRs are, deliberately, not
greater access to the “tools” of development, formal UN or UNDP documents and do not
including education and healthcare. By placing reflect the official views of either organisation.
Arab women firmly in the centre of social, Rather they have been intended to stimulate
cultural, economic and political development and inform a dynamic, new, public discourse
in the entire region, the Report goes beyond across the Arab world and beyond… I feel
arguing that half the population deserves it necessary to state that some of the views
half the participation. In fact, it asserts that expressed by the authors are not shared by
irrespective of the numbers, Arab women have UNDP or the UN”. All four AHDRs have
already accomplished great strides that are been prepared by the authors with this
transforming the region’s political economy shared understanding, reached with UNDP
and social demography. While lauding these management when the series was launched in
achievements and making a strong case for 2002.
facilitating this strong current of positive The AHDRs – this year’s included
social transformation, the Report also analyses – articulate some views that UNDP does
the remaining impediments, and suggests not share, and at times uses language that is
concrete steps towards their elimination. unnecessarily divisive. Since 2002, UNDP
The Arab Human Development Reports has helped provide a platform for debate in
have succeeded beyond all expectations in the region and beyond. Unfortunately, the
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language used in part of this debate has not report, we can be motivated all the more to
always been compatible with the cause of reflect on the factors behind them. The sense
reform and understanding based on reasoned of anger palpable in certain sections of this
arguments. report is widely shared in the region and
The Arab world and the Middle East has been deepened by recent events and the
region have for years suffered from deep extensive loss of innocent life.
divisions, violence and conflict, also involving By any measure, the AHDRs have
external actors. UNDP management believes attracted enormous interest and made a
the building of freedom and good governance, unique contribution to stimulating debate
which is the stated aim of the AHDRs, requires on how the Arab region can move forward
moderation and arguments based on reason in advancing the goals of good governance,
and respect for the views of the “other”, all equitable growth, and greater respect for
hallmarks of the golden age of Arab greatness, human rights.
a time when the Arab and Muslim worlds were Many individuals have made this possible,
prosperous, strong and standard-setters for but I would like to take this opportunity to
others. Progress in the Arab world in this age of stress the leadership role of one in particular:
global economic forces will also require much Dr. Rima Khalaf Hunaidi. Rima has guided
closer cooperation and economic integration, the AHDR “experiment” from the very outset
a process which can only take place if Arab – without her leadership the four reports
countries, governments and civil societies can could not have been produced. Earlier this
move closer together, despite their diversity. year, Rima retired from UNDP after leading
As cooperative processes in other parts of the UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States for
world have shown, progress requires caution, almost six years. This fourth report was started
a willingness to find compromises, as well as a while she was still directing the bureau. Rima
firm long-term strategy for greater unity. continues to be a driving force in the debate
While we do not agree with all of the on reform throughout the region and beyond.
sentiments and judgements expressed in this I wish her well in her new pursuits.
Kemal Dervis
Administrator, UNDP
II
Foreword by the Regional Director, UNDP
Regional Bureau for Arab States
This fourth report in the Arab Human continue, is seen as the pawn of a discredited
Development Report (AHDR) series model. With their arguments derailed by
completes the frank examination of some of intervention from abroad, and stifled by
the obstacles to Arab human development reactionary forces at home, Arab moderates
initiated by its predecessors. With the same are increasingly embattled, frustrated and
independence that distinguished the previous angry. And while anger, by its nature, is an
reports, AHDR 2005 analyses the dynamics of invitation to dialogue, in a world of divides
women’s advancement in the Arab world. Its it is easily misunderstood as yet another form
focus is on all women in the Arab countries, of intransigence. The accents of that anger
without discrimination. It situates the reverberate through parts of this report, at
problematic nature of the equality of their times conveying a combative tone. To some,
rights, capabilities and opportunities in the this may be dismaying; to others, it may simply
context of history, culture, religion, society be a genuine reflection of the authors’ political,
and the political economy. It outlines a vision intellectual and moral ordeal. We continue
for the achievement of gender equality built to believe that providing the authors with a
on the assurance of full citizenship rights for platform not available to them anywhere in
all through the reform of Arab governance. the region makes accessible a body of salutary
Like the others in the series, this report is and instructive messages that the world needs
Arab in inspiration, authorship and ownership. to hear.
It does not originate in abstract formulas The situation of women in the Arab
for change removed from the play of forces countries has been changing over time,
in the region. Its authors and advisers are often for the better. Arab women have
anchored in a broad diversity of intellectual, made outstanding national and international
philosophical and cultural currents in the Arab contributions to the arts, sciences, politics and
world. Each has a firm stake in the issues at other fields of human endeavour, achieving
hand and accepts the risks entailed in tackling results that equal, and often surpass, those
a subject loaded with cultural, religious and of men. Yet many continue to struggle for
social sensitivities. Each understands that, fair treatment. Compared to their sisters
optimally, the wider reforms they seek would elsewhere in the world, they enjoy the
grow from a multi-level consensus centred least political participation. Conservative
on mutual understanding among all actors, authorities, discriminatory laws, chauvinist
respect for differences and recognition of male peers and tradition-minded kinsfolk
common ground. All however encounter watchfully regulate their aspirations, activities
today the degeneration of the reform debate and conduct. Employers limit their access to
into exclusivist rhetorical firestorms with the income and independence. In the majority
work of ascendant conservative forces seeking of cases, poverty shackles the development
to reduce political choices to stark absolutes. and use of women’s potential. High rates of
An Arab intellectual who today brings illiteracy and the world’s lowest rates of female
“Western” ideas of gender equality into such labour participation are compounded to
polarised arenas faces outright dismissal. “create serious challenges”. Though a growing
In this environment, one who advocates for number of individual women, supported by
homegrown democratic change to speed men, have succeeded in achieving greater
women’s empowerment while Israel’s equality in society and more reciprocity in
occupation of Palestinian territory, its their family and personal relationships, many
aggression against neighbouring countries and remain victims of legalised discrimination,
the military interventions of foreign powers social subordination and enshrined male
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dominance. Unacceptably, physical and world is inseparable from society’s progress
mental violence against women often destroys towards democratic and empowering forms
their personal health and security and even of governance that uphold the citizenship
their right to life. Such abuse is by no means rights of all. If that conclusion in turn prompts
uniquely found in the Arab world but is part vigorous discussion and thought on how these
of a global problem. two interrelated goals might be achieved
The Report lays out a comprehensive together, the authors will be more than amply
set of priorities for accelerating the rise rewarded for their efforts.
of women. In its human development Our readers will find that we have, once
perspective, women not only require access again, been caught short in our coverage of
to the tools of development in order to help world events in Part I which stops at the end
society to progress; as human beings, they are of January 2006. Various delays in publishing
in themselves the agents of that development. this Report have, unfortunately prevented us
In that light, the Report stresses the need from reviewing many seminal developments
to eliminate the seeds of discrimination against in the course of the year but I am confident
women in Arab tradition and to promote ijtihad we will be able to do them justice with the
(interpretative scholarship) in religious matters continuation of these Reports.
to overcome cultural obstacles. It outlines AHDR 2005 represents the work of
changes in patterns of upbringing, education many hands. I congratulate all who took part
and media presentation that could revise in its preparation, review and editing. Like
social norms, erase harmful stereotypes and others, I wish to single out my distinguished
vitally transform relations between the sexes predecessor, Dr. Rima Khalaf Hunaidi, the
in a culture of equal treatment. It proposes a inspired innovator behind the entire series,
battery of legal reforms to guarantee women’s whose guidance is felt everywhere in this
political, civil and economic rights. They range Report. I am very grateful to the core team,
from the full alignment of national legislation especially the lead authors, the veteran Dr.
with the Convention on the Elimination of Nader Fergany and Dr. Islah Jad, for their
All Forms of Discrimination against Women tireless commitment and invaluable work. I
(CEDAW) and with international labour also thank the distinguished Advisory Board
treaties through time-bound quotas for for its vigilance and advice, which have kept
women in political assemblies to the adoption the report anchored in its regional moorings. I
of updated personal status codes. The Report am indebted to Kemal Dervis, Administrator of
also advocates measures to protect the civil and UNDP, for bravely supporting the publication
personal rights of all women in Arab countries of the concluding part of this unusual series,
including expatriate women. More broadly, notwithstanding some differences of views
it calls for the opening of the economic and risks associated with the effort. I owe a
sphere to women to address income poverty particular note of appreciation to my colleagues
and for investments in women’s education, in the Bureau’s Regional Programme Division
health and social safety nets to reverse the under the leadership of Nada Al-Nashif for
spread of human poverty. Taken together, its their dedicated and unflagging support to
findings constitute an important framework this demanding endeavour. Finally, I salute
for the development efforts of governments, our regional co-sponsors the Arab Gulf
civil society and regional and international Programme for United Nations Development
organisations, including UNDP. Organizations and the Arab Fund for
Not all will agree with everything the Economic and Social Development for their
authors have to say, which encourages us prized partnership and collaboration. While
to anticipate a lively debate around their the original concept of the series in four
analysis. Few however will deny that, installments is now complete, I am pleased to
ultimately, women’s advancement in the Arab confirm that more reports will follow.
Amat Al Alim Alsoswa
Assistant Secretary General and Assistant Administrator, Regional Director,
Regional Bureau for Arab States, United Nations Development Programme
IV
Foreword by the Director General and
Chairman, The Arab Fund for Economic
and Social Development
Economic and social development cannot occur political and intellectual trends and demands
in isolation from human development, which in the areas of rights and society at the various
is the lynchpin and goal of comprehensive levels necessary to assure the rise of Arab
development. The first three issues of the women, their ability to perform their role and
Arab Human Development Reports series undertake their responsibilities as required,
espoused, affirmed and explored this concept and their perfect partnership in Arab society.
in relation to different topics. It is only All this is of interest to development agencies
natural, therefore, that the fourth and final in general and, in particular, to the Arab Fund
report in the series, dealing with the topic for Economic and Social Development, which
of Arab women, should analyse women’s has been concerned to activate women’s
situation and role in development in the same participation in development through both its
comprehensive perspective. orientations and policies and its programmes
In examining Arab women’s issues and and projects. The Fund has also been anxious,
the obstacles to the improvement of their via its support for the report, to ensure that
social and economic condition and rights, and the latter be honest and bold, both stylistically
in calling for a perfect social partnership, this and substantively, in its illumination of Arab
report remains in a tradition of development women’s reality.
literature which historically has stressed the With a subject of such importance,
importance of collective collaboration for complexity and sensitivity, certain gaps and
development without discrimination on the minor shortcomings in the report’s data are
basis of race or sex. The report thus takes perhaps inevitable. Some contributions and
its place among the intellectual and practical analyses may be more detailed and extensive
efforts exerted since the beginning of the than strictly warranted, but this is only to
Arab Renaissance early in the last century in be expected when the perspective is a broad
the area of Arab women’s issues and rights, based vision of human development with a
efforts that continued through the work of varied scope, multiple points of intersection
noteworthy thinkers, scholars and reformers. and widely branching issues. Points of
From the third decade of the same century, consensus within the report’s generalisations
these efforts were supplemented by those of and conclusions may be numerous, and those
women’s movements which, by the end of the on which there will be no consensus may be
century, had been transformed into communal yet more so, but this, of course, naturally
and political movements within Arab civil follows from presenting a multiplicity of
society that aimed at fashioning inclusive outlooks. In any case, this report is the work
developmental visions and implementing their of independent thinkers, researchers and
goals in the real world. Among these goals has specialists and bears no official stamp; the
been the realisation of the perfect partnership authors have been encouraged to participate
of Arab women in state and society. in order to express, as far as possible, both
This report illuminates the many the cultural and intellectual diversity of Arab
different political, economic, social and society and its geographical distribution. Their
legal dimensions relevant to Arab women, participation also accords with the conviction
the developments, negative and positive, of the sponsoring institutions that a project for
that have affected them and the difficulties Arab women reflecting the spirit of the Arab
that they have faced in playing their full role Renaissance must be inclusive, representative
in economic development and in political and open.
and social modernisation. It also illustrates This report, its content, its methodology,
what the report’s authors consider to be the its conclusions and its speculations, does not
V
constitute the final word, just as it does not From another perspective, efforts towards
form the only project to take on the complex political reform must work to ingrain the
issues of the rise of Arab women. It is rather principles of good governance nationally
a supplementary attempt, characterised and locally and to develop systems and
by a degree of boldness, to initiate an Arab legislation that accord with the principles of
dialogue around the issues and theses. It freedom, equality, and social justice. That is
seeks to start a broad debate on how best to how social reform and economic reform can
confront these complex issues and arrive at complement one another and thus form the
economic, communal and political solutions two wings on which Arab development will
that will gain the widest possible support and fly towards the goals of the Arab renaissance
contribute to the rise of Arab women. project.
We feel that a number of facts should be 3. The rights of Arab women and the
brought to the reader’s attention. The most improvement of their condition are not
important of these are: a luxury or a subject for mere theorising,
1. Arab women have in no way fallen short neither are they simply a call for reform.
in performing their role over the various On the contrary, they have become today
phases of the development of Arab society a fundamental component of the rights of
throughout history, despite certain limited humankind as confirmed by the Convention
attempts to marginalise that role. The on the Elimination of All Forms of
great contributions of Arab women in the Discrimination against Women, while calls
traditional economy and in family and social for the rights of women and demands for
structures are those of fundamental and their economic and social betterment have
indispensable partners. No less important become a global movement supported by
are their struggles to assert that partnership international law. By the same token, work on
via political and emancipatory movements behalf of these goals has become a communal
and civil society institutions, which have movement supported by the forces of Arab
increased and grown in recent decades, civil society, in whose institutions Arab
realising important achievements which are women have come to assume important
today admired and respected all across Arab positions and to the realisation of whose
society. goals they contribute effectively.
2. Arab women have achieved much by way This report, with all that may be said for
of enlarging their capabilities through it and against it, is now set before all Arab
their own efforts. They have registered citizens, and it is to the Arab citizen, first and
outstanding progress in education, made last, that it is addressed. I expect its publication
their mark through their merits and skills in to be a beginning and not an end. It provides
work and business, asserted their capacity an opportunity for a constructive civilisational
to assume leadership positions, increased dialogue that will do more to bring people
their participation in economic activity and together than to force them apart and more to
pushed forward their role in national public gather them than to divide them, in the service
affairs in all Arab countries. This must be of the rise of Arab women and of our nation.
the starting point for Arab development I would like to express my sincere thanks
efforts and the basis for pursuing improved and appreciation to all who contributed to
development indicators and progress in the its preparation and publication and to the
deployment of women’s capabilities. On United Nations Development Programme for
this foundation, women will increase their their good offices in providing for its follow-
participation in the job market and raise their up and supervision. I offer my thanks as well
contribution to economic activity on a basis to all participating institutions and parties.
of justice and equality between the sexes. “God is the guardian of success.”
Abdel Latif Youseff El Hamed
Director General / Chairman of the Board of Directors
Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development
VVII
Foreword by HRH the President of the
Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations
Development Organizations (AGFUND)
Arab Women and the Mechanisms for the Desired Change
An observer of social developments in the Arab Such attitudes are, regrettably, linked
world will be aware of a number of positive to certain interpretations of religion, even
changes caused by the publication of the Arab though a careful study based on the facts will
Human Development Report (AHDR) since its reveal that they have their origins in custom
initial appearance in 2002 under the title Creating and tradition. Religion has no connection with
Opportunities for Coming Generations, as any of the mistaken practices that are carried
it has prompted both controversy over, and out against women. Our societies, however,
engagement with its authors’ themes, findings give precedence to custom over true worship
and recommendations. and provide foundations for assumptions that
The AHDR series was prepared by have no grounding either in the Holy Qur’an
leading specialists preoccupied with issues or in the authenticated practices and sayings
of concern to the Arab human being, and it of the Prophet (the Hadith).
raises and explores in depth issues of direct Most of the sufferings of Arab women
and profound import for development in is attributable to the accumulation of such
its three dimensions: social, economic and customs and traditions. It follows that the
political. For this reason, these reports are, in correction of outmoded assumptions and
our estimation, among the most outstanding attitudes is a leading priority, one that
products of Arab development thought to demands, in the first place, cultural and societal
emerge so far in the third millennium, with measures to instil in coming generations a
all that the opening years of this century balanced vision of women and their role. This
have witnessed in the way of changes and report, with its probing analyses, statistics and
transformations benefiting humanity. data, is a part of these required measures. For
The fourth edition of the AHDR takes this reason, we shall continue to support its
on additional importance because it raises publication, in co-ordination with our partners
the issue of women’s development as the in development.
critical issue in all Arab societies. Its objective We believe that Arab societies must
presentation of the obstacles to Arab women’s shoulder their comprehensive and necessary
development is part of a sequence. Thus, in responsibility to re-evaluate women’s role
its third edition the Report investigated the and to protect their rights. In that respect, it
dialectics of freedom in the Arab world, in the should be noted that all Arab countries have
second it dealt with the topic of knowledge, signed the Convention on the Elimination of
and in the first it treated the creation of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
opportunities for coming generations. Yet we also consider that women themselves
Anticipating the debate that will surround are those most capable of defending their
this edition, we would like to state that we rights and of bringing their issues to public
believe that the experts and the authors behind attention. Indeed, were this not so, Arab
this effort have applied their knowledge to women’s problems might continue to be
illuminate crucial aspects of the situation of sidelined and buried for ages to come. Actual
Arab women, and especially the continuance indicators, however, and the examples we
of outmoded attitudes towards women, their see of Arab women’s activism, incline us to
status and role. optimism.
VII
We have always believed that Arab extremely able in managing small and micro-
women (as mothers, sisters, wives, daughters) loans to good effect and to be more reliable
are not less, in any way, than women in than men in honouring their commitments to
societies that have preceded us on the ladder lending institutions.
of development. Arab women are creative Without prejudice to the importance of
innovators who display initiative when new legislation, revised codes and statutes
provided with the means. This is what has and evolving constitutions in guaranteeing
encouraged us to sponsor a developmental women’s rights, the laying of a foundation for
organisation specialised in women’s issues, enlightened thought must come first. After
the Centre for Arab Women’s Training and all, legislation, no matter how contemporary,
Research (CAWTAR), and to entrust its developed and favourable to women’s
leadership, administration and planning to a aspirations, cannot function in an intellectual
group of outstanding women. The latter have and moral vacuum.
shown what they can accomplish in realising Rather, positive values in harmony with
the Centre’s most important strategic goal of religion and authentic Arab tradition must
becoming a point of reference in the Arab first inform our view of women. These values
world for women’s issues. CAWTAR continues must be nurtured, in the first place, through
to train women cadres, to help overcome teaching and their integration into curricula
deficient images of women in society and to from kindergarten to higher education. They
ensure that the voice and demands of women must be popularised by a media committed
reach decision-making circles. There can be to the issues and concerns of society. These
no future for a society that impedes half its mechanisms are important levers for desired
population in the exercise of their potential, changes in the cultural structure. Indeed, no
ignores their demands and marginalises their change can be expected if we do not begin by
entitlements. developing the inner workings of our culture,
This same orientation is adopted at the which determines our rules and how we see
Arab Open University and at the “Bank for ourselves.
the Poor”, which target the poorest of the May God grant success to all who work
poor. Women have shown themselves to be for the good of the Arab World.
Talal Bin Abdul Aziz
President, The Arab Gulf Programme for
United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND)
VIII