02/04/2013 | Writer: Nevin Öztop
The women activists from Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey and Palestine came together in Tunis to discuss the women’s position in the latest political transitions.
The women activists from Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey and Palestine came together in Tunis to discuss the women’s position in the latest political transitions.
The regional women’s meeting, co-organized by the Urgent Action Fund and Mediterranean Women’s Fund, was held between the dates of March 26-28. The participants were women activists from Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey and Palestine.
Evaluating the last 3 years’ impact on the lives of region’s societies, the activists highlighted the position of women during the uprisings, the situation in the post-revolution countries, the conditions of sivil societies in the transitioning regions and sexual and gender minorities in the Middle East and North Africa.
“Equal share of decisions being taken”
Syrian Women’s League representative expressed her concerns over the situation that appeared after the uprisings:
“During the revolution, the young women were backing up the change. We involved in the uprisings but we did not want to make the same mistakes that happened in Palestine and Algeria: Once the revolution is over, we will want an equal share of desicions being taken. We are going to demand a secular nature of law, with no reference to Christian or Sharia laws.”
The feminist lawyer in Tunisia, repserenting a Magrebian network of human rights activists, commented on the concept of revolution and its impact in today’s Tunisia:
“There has been no revolution. A revolution would mean a radical change towards social justice, independence of judicial system and equality.”
“Women fall behind the revolution, men are put upfront”
The Iraqi feminist activist, who works for the empowerment of women and legal changes, commented on the rise of voices from conservative and religius groups and its impact on the political changes:
“The revolution is always stolen by the Islamist extremists. The women fall behind the revolution and men are put upfront.”
“The joy that comes with the body”
Labanese participant commented on the lack of connection felt between the LGBT groups and the feminist organizations when it comes to sexual diversity:
“The feminists should not only focus on bodily rights, but also the joy and freedom that come with our bodies. The argument on bodily rights is no longer on the agenda.”
Kaos GL’s input in the conference was heavily focused on the impact of nationalism on the lives of women and LGBTs in Turkey, the closure cases of Kurdish women’s associations, LGBT asylum seekers, the importance of inter-connection between women’s organizations in Turkey and in the region.
Tags: human rights
