Poll indicates Arabs believe women's status will improve

Manama: Most Arabs believe women will be better off in post-revolutionary countries where political Islam is on the rise, an opinion poll indicates.

According to the Doha Debates poll, 75 per cent of the respondents believed women's prospects would be brighter as the quality of life would improve and women, as active agents of the revolutions, would continue their movement and fight for their rights.

Participants attributed their optimism to the belief that women would be better protected from harassment and intimidation, would have better access to education and would enjoy greater freedom of expression and representation in political parties.

The poll findings support the results of the February 28 Doha Debate in which 74 per cent of the audience rejected the motion: "This House believes women will be worse off after the revolution."

Respondents from North Africa, especially in Tunisia and Egypt, were most optimistic about women's improved conditions after the revolutions, while those living in the Levant were least positive.

Although the majority did not worry about the possible impact of the rise of political Islam on women, respondents in the Levant seemed more concerned with the issue.

However, despite the high level of optimism that the changes make it more likely there will be a significant increase in the number of women holding senior political roles in the future, many believe that it will not necessarily translate into leadership positions.

The survey, conducted by the polling company YouGov on March 11- 14, questioned 1,003 people.

The Doha Debates are hosted and funded by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.