Gender

As a proposal of the Socialist International, Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated for the first time in many industrial nations in 1910, 03,08. March 8th was the day women demanded the right to vote and hold public offices, their right to work, vocational training, and an end to discrimination in jobs.
Since then, the International Women’s [...]

It’s oppressive. It’s degrading. It’s this, it’s that. Jack Straw claimed this, Nicholas Sarkozy mentioned that. Let us liberate them in Afghanistan, let us liberate them in France. Yawn. I am getting fed up of these burka stories. They seem to be never ending and at times very cringe worthy. ’Burka woman sacked from her job!’  ’Lets [...]

Yesterday was celebrated as Iran’s Clean Air, Blue Sky Day. Air pollution is a major issue in mega cities like Tehran. Most days, Tehran is clouded by a thick layer of smog making it difficult to breath especially for children and elderly.
Every year on January 19, they celebrate Clean Air day, encouraging people to use [...]

We’ve broadcast today a new Arabicast episode on MEYArabic; an interview with Dr Sahar Al Mougy.
The interview was recorded during Ana Al-Hekaya (I’m the Tale) workshop, that has taken place at the AUC from 27 to 29th of December 2009.
The workshop, which is held annually since 1998, focuses on rewriting and renarrating the Egyptian folkloric [...]

Most of the time, I leave the cinema hall feeling disappointed, offended and ripped-off. Here I am, after wasting nearly two hours of my precious life, feeling slightly older and bitter that my intellect wasn’t stimulated in any way.
The question we need to ask here is not why such pathetic attempts at film-making are still being made, it’s simply: why is the public still interested in such films?

“Here you go, akhti Sarah,” she said, while carefully pouring the lukewarm water from the bronze kettle. I watched as it slowly dribbled over my outstretched hands, and splashed into the small plastic tub she carried in her other hand while waiting for the cue to hand me the hand towel draped over her shoulder. [...]

As free as a bird I was born to this world
Flapping my tiny little wings with delight
For the sky was limitless and horizon endless
I dreamed of bizarre places
Aromas and scents that awaken my every sense
Flavors and tastes of spices and sweets
Flavors when brushed against my lips;
Forever I become captivated by such intoxicating taste
I would [...]

By appointing Mrs Ebtekar as the first female Vice President of Iran and the head of Environment Protection Organization during the former reformist administration, Presidnet Khatami broke the taboo which afterward even a conservative president like Ahmadinejad followed his way by once again appointing a woman for the position.
It’s the utmost position an Iranian woman [...]

On Tuesday March 24, 2009, on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, the city of Jeddah witnessed the first women’s fashion show ever held in the country. The event came after the organizers had finally succeeded in getting the official consent from the authorities. The show was organized by the Nafisat Shams Al Biqa’ Academy [...]

The dream of Amany Al-Tunisi, a 25-year old Egyptian young woman, came true in July 2008 when her radio station went on air. “Banat wi Bass” (Girls Only) is the first Arabic radio station of its kind in the Arab World – it is run exclusively by young women and focuses on women’s issues.
Amany, the [...]