'Women Are Not Objects Of Desire'

Women in the Arab world are still viewed by men as mere sexual objects, according to an Emirati sociologist who was speaking during the two-day New Arab Woman Forum in Dubai.

Khalifa Al Mahriz, consultant on family affairs at the Dubai Court, UAE, said "The predominant view of women in the Arab world is that of an object of desire. They are seen merely as tools to satisfy the carnal desires of men.

"The problem is that Arab women belong to a masculine society, where man dominates everything," said Al Mahriz.

Arab men tend to ignore divine legislations pertaining to women, said Al Mahriz.

"There are 48 Ayats (Quranic verses) pertaining to respect for women. Moreover, there are 66 Hadiths (sayings of The Prophet) about the sanctity of women."

He said 99 per cent of men commit adultery because they are not sexually satisfied with their wife, due to perceptions of women.

Dr Heba Kotb, a member of the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists and author of four books on sexuality, said, "A good sex life is the pillar of any man-woman relationship."

She vouched for the importance of sex education.

"Sex education is very important for both wife and husband. It leads to a better understanding of each other."

Urging women to fight for their rights, she said, "A women must preserve and protect her body. It is her duty. A woman is born to take care of her body, to be attractive to men, not vice-versa. However, a husband should be understanding."

Meanwhile, marital rape remains widespread in the Arab world.

"It is still quite common and widespread in this part of the world which is reinforced by the view that sex is the wife's duty to her husband," said Dr Olfa Youssef, a Tunisian professor who specialises in modernisation of Islamic thought.

The forum organised under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, brought together top Arab women leaders from the media, business and other professions.