At Last: Women Enter Public Discourse in Lebanon

NADIA AKL, CGNEWS: Until recently women, in spite of their clear achievements across many sectors, have been invisible in public discourse. That’s changing
‘Real Gains’ Being Made by Women In Saudi Arabia

MAHA AKEEL, CGNEWS: The appointment of 30 extremely well-qualified women to the Shura Council is just the latest in a string of recent achievements for Saudi women.
Offended Saudis: U.S Comedienne ‘Crosses the Line’
AHMED AL OMRAN: The American comedienne Chelsea Handler has stirred up a hornet’s nest of indignation in Saudi Arabia
Female Genital Mutilation: Still Major Issue in Oman
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: The last time I raised this issue publicly the reaction was overwhelming but ‘woman with the incense burner’ still prowls hospitals in Dhofar
Burqa Tradition Dies in Dhofar: Not Soon Enough

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: I’ve only worn a burqa once and that’s more than enough times. Its appearance in Dhofar is getting increasingly more rare.
Women ‘Making Inroads’ Into Saudi Workforce. Slowly.

SUSIE OF ARABIA: The furore over the decision to employ women as waitresses in the fast food restaurant Hardees illustrates that progress comes slowly
‘Waitresses Are Prostitutes’: Saudi Media Firestorm

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The obstacles facing women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia are exemplified by a row which has broken out via social media.
‘Beep, Beep’: ‘Your Wife Has Just Left Saudi Arabia’

ROB L. WAGNER: There has been an outcry about the service the Saudi authorities provide to men to keep track of their wives. It doesn’t go far enough
Saudi Conservatives ‘Froth’ At Female College Visit

AHMED AL OMRAN: It seems to have become a regular stop for foreign dignitaries visiting the Kingdom. But that hasn’t stopped conservatives offence-ometer going off the scale
The Vacation: Throwing Off ‘Our Invisible Chains’

SUSAN AL SHAHRI: We sat on a beach and wondered ‘what if?’. I asked ‘why not?’ and from then things were never going to be the same again.
Counter-Intuitive: Saudi Women Welcome ID Cards

CROSSROADS ARABIA: An issue that usually raises the strongest opposition among liberals – ID Cards – has seen Saudi women take a divergent view
‘Energy’, ‘Endeavour’ and ‘Creativity’: Women of Palestine

MORGAN MCDANIEL, CGNEWS: Palestinian women are finding creative ways to engage both socially and economically in the face of many restrictions.
‘Learned, Feisty and Principled’: Women In Islam

ASMA AFSARUDDIN, CGNEWS: Malala Yousufzai follows in a proud tradition of women who have played a central role in the development of Islam.
“I’m With The Uprising of Women in the Arab World…’

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: Women have played a key role in the Arab Spring but they have to continue to fight to have their views heard.
Men Step Up To Combat Egyptian Female Harassment

NIHAL MAGDY, CGNEWS: The issue of sexual harassment is huge in modern Egypt. Men are joining women’s groups to combat the problem.
Rape: The Culture of Impunity That Exists in Syria

MICH CAFE: The catalogue of brutal rapes and sexual assaults of women, men and children grows by the day. A new documentary makes grim viewing
‘Muslim’. ‘Women’s’. ‘Rights’. Giving Meaning to Words

SHEHERAZADE JAFARI, CGNEWS: The idea of Muslim women awaiting rescue from their oppressive lives by an injection of Western liberal values is far from reality.
Saudi Progress: With Giant Strides and Baby Steps

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Yet another significant bridgehead has been secured – 30 women will be appointed to the Shoura Council
The Trials of a Modern American-Palestinian Mother

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: As my daughter leaves to study abroad I’m left pondering the unique challenges that I and my fellow mothers face at this time.