March 09, 2004

Jordan Times

For Women, By Women

Editorial

As the global community celebrated International Women's Day on Monday, the major issue of how to further empower women and accord them full equality and opportunities remains a challenge. The prime tool applied thus far for increasing women's representation in the public and private sectors is the quota system. But that arrangement is precarious. While in place, the quota is supposed to provide women with a minimum presence and representation in the public and private sectors of society. Yet the quota system is not the norm. It is actually an aberration because it constitutes some form of discrimination albeit positive. It is therefore tolerated on a temporary basis and only to correct major dislocations in the gender issue. 

On the other hand, women rights cannot always be served on a silver platter. Women themselves must become more assertive and self-reliant if they are to achieve their legitimate place in society. Take for example the June parliamentary elections. Although Jordanian women have equal voting rights with men, they did not elect a single woman deputy outside the quota system. Women cannot rely forever on token rights but must strive to claim the rights that are theirs. This means that women and women's associations and NGOs must work much harder to earn those rights by their own efforts rather than depend on improvisational methods that are transient and temporary. This means that the empowerment of women must have grassroots support. 

Rank and file women must believe in their cause and strive harder to achieve them. They must make more daring efforts to change traditions and customs that stand in their way. They must spearhead the calls for amendments to legislation that are overtly discriminatory. They must insist, for example, on the right to pass on their citizenship to their children on par with the fathers of their children. They may also call for amendments to the Personal Status Law on marriage, divorce and alimony. Men cannot be expected to, nor should they be considered so willing to, do this kind of work on their behalf. 

Through the existing political parties women must insist on more representation in government departments and the Cabinet. They must also call on the judiciary to stop tolerating so-called honour crimes. There are many other issues of concern to women that women themselves must assume the leadership in addressing. Hard- won achievements are always more cherished and appreciated. It's time women roll up their sleeves and get on with the struggle for more gender equality with more determination and vigour.