27 April 2014 (Sunday), 11.00 am- 1.00 pm, Conference Room, Law Faculty, University of Malaya
For registration, please click here.
Penang Institute together with Islamic Renaissance Front and Law Faculty, University of Malaya is proud to jointly organize the upcoming forum on “Women after the Arab Spring: Political and Social Rights” which would be held on Sunday, 27 April 2014
at the Conference Room, Law Faculty, University of Malaya.
The Arab Spring had seen the rise of young people who demanded a new kind of politics and women had played their part as protesters and leaders of the uprising and were not spared the backlash – suffering arrest, sexual harassment and even death.
In Egypt, it did not matter that women had played a critical role in the uprisings that ousted the tyrant Mubarak and had suffered equally from repression and lack of economic opportunity along with the men. In the aftermath of the Arab uprisings, the outlook for women’s rights remains mixed and uncertain. The Global Gender Gap report showed Middle East countries ranked poorly as a result of low political participation for women except perhaps for Tunisia. Overall, women account for just 14% of members of Arab parliaments.
It must be acknowledged that various groups with different agendas are competing to shape the outcome of the transitions that are underway, with unpredictable consequences for women’s rights. And if actors that are interested in promoting women’s rights are to achieve any success in the post-uprising period, they will need to find ways of working with the various competing forces, finding common platforms and negotiating differences.
Panelists
The forum will feature Ni’mah Isma’il Ibrahim Nawwab from Mecca, an English best-selling poet, writer, editor and photographer, an international lecturer and a nominated Young Global Leader. She has been dubbed as a “voice for Arab women and youths” an her engagement as a social activist, youth empowerment leader and writings span issues on diversity, spirituality, peace, dignity, youth, women, change, the environment and mutual respect for gender and race.
Zainah Anwar is a renowned Muslim feminist and activist, who was recently awarded the highest French honour, the Legion d’Honneur by the French government. She was also listed by San Francisco-based International Museum of Women as one of the 10 most influential Muslim women. She is currently a Director of Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family.
Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, Director of Islamic Renaissance Front will moderate the session.
Programme
10.30-11.00 am – Registration
11.00-11.05 am – Welcoming speech by Dr Azmi Sharom
11.05-11.10 am – Speech by moderator, Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa
11.10-11.40 am – Speech by Ni’mah Nawwab
11.40-12.10 pm – Speech by Zainah Anwars
12.10-1.00 pm – Discussion
1.00 pm – Lunch
Please note that due to limited seating, we appreciate your kind response to reserve your participation early. For registration, please click here.