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Is gender equality achievable in the shift towards democracy in the Middle East despite the deep-rooted cultural beliefs? This is a daunting yet unavoidable question that hangs over us as we watch the Arab Spring evolve. A year of struggle, devotion, hope, and revolutions has finally given women a chance to break the barriers of fear and speak up. A major shift, a major change, a major opportunity has surfaced for women in the Middle East. From Egypt, Tunisia, and elsewhere we have witnessed women fighting for change, rights, dignity and opportunity. It has been difficult to miss the powerful presence of women in the revolutions. Their involvement and participation in the public realm has been proven a necessary element of civic society. Read More »

Iranian women have endured a long and struggling roller-coaster ride filled with inequality, segregation and torture. Perhaps they have yet to achieve their ultimate goal of equality, however Iranian women have not stopped fighting for their rights. In 1918 when women were demonstrating outside the parliament demanding equal rights, it was clear that they refused to accept inequality as a way of life. [1] In 1953, President Mossadegh submitted a bill to the parliament for gender equality however,  a handful of ayatollahs rejected the bill.[2] Finally in 1962, their efforts proved effective when voting rights were granted to women by the Shah. The Pahlavi era sought to discourage veiling of women and encouraged mixed participation in a variety of public gatherings. [3] Not everything was perfect for women but in comparison with other countries in the Middle East region where women lacked rights, Iranian women were ahead of the times ... Read More »