UAE | Heritage and Culture
Work force 'does not reflect Arab women's education'
"The progress of Arab women's education has not reflected on the rate of their participation in the labour force, especially in the private sector, although labour legislation provides for equal job opportunities," said an expert on the concluding day of the second Arab women's Conference here yesterday.
- By Eman Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor
- Published: 23:54 November 13, 2008
- Delegates attend the closing session on third day of the second Arab Women’s Conference in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: "The progress of Arab women's education has not reflected on the rate of their participation in the labour force, especially in the private sector, although labour legislation provides for equal job opportunities," said an expert on the concluding day of the second Arab women's Conference here yesterday.
Dr Monther Wasef Al Masri, head of the National Centre for Developing Human Resources in Jordan, said: "In general, the progress of Arab women in education has not been accompanied by similar progresses in human security."
According to him, the quantitative dimension was predominant in such progress, but the qualitative dimension concerning gender issues in the education system was weak.
"The convictions of women themselves in the importance of their education and human security are inadequate. Moreover, societal culture plays a role in limiting the effect of women's education on human security" he said.
Such culture consists of inherited features that are not in harmony with cultural roots and that accumulated through centuries of backwardness.
'Social obstacles'
"The education of Arab women faces many challenges and weaknesses, including lack of recourses and will on the part of governments, societal obstacles, the predominant legislative approach to the image of women as housewives - and less as members of the labour force - and the weak role of civil society enterprises"
As far as major indicators and conventions regarding the education of Arab women are concerned, Dr Al Masri said: "Noticeable differences exist among the Arab countries, regarding the degree of progress. Illiteracy rate among women is twice that of men. Universalisation of compulsory basic education is more effective than remedial measures that deal with the education of illiterates.
"The gender gap in the various educational stages has nearly vanished, except in vocational education," he added.
He also noted that female participation among the teaching staff is higher than males in all educational cycles, except in higher education and scientific research, which suffer from low women's participation, as well as a low 'freedom ceiling' for researches dealing with gender issues."
Abu Dhabi (WAM) Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the Arab Women's Organisation (AWO), yesterday visited a number of first ladies from various Arab countries who were here for the conference.
Shaikha Fatima visited Shaikha Sabeeka Bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of the King of Bahrain and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women. They discussed issues pertaining to women and empowerment.
Later, Shaikha Fatima visited Ameena Abbas, Wife of the Palestinian President, and held talks with her on issues of security for Palestinian women. Ameena explained to Shaikha Fatima the atrocities and violence unleashed by the Israeli government on Palestinians.
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