Women across the Middle East participated actively in what came to be called the Arab Spring that began in late 2010. Often seen as second-class and voiceless citizens in these male-dominant societies, they were a key force in the popular protests, which managed to topple autocratic regimes. They fought for their countries, their rights and their children’s rights. However, the Islamist forces now in power in several countries want to turn back the clock and restrict women’s rights to keep them out of politics.

What are the challenges to women’s security in the MENA region?

Responses catalog a host of concerns: eroding legal rights for women, economic vulnerability, rises in trafficking, and prostitution out of desperation. They also speak to a worrisome uptick in targeted violence against women–violence intended to scare women out of public spaces, out of politics, and back into the home. Over a third of the respondents named rape specifically as either a tool of war or intimidation, and another third denounced the rising number of mass sexual assault on women. 

Women and girls were in the forefront when the uprising began nearly two years ago with peaceful protests, in part because they were considered less likely than men to arouse the suspicions of the government’s security apparatus.

Historically, the Muslimah played the role of protagonist in more than one screenplay of political change. Whether in 18th century Nigeria with the rise of Nana Asma'u, or during the 16th and 17th century of Ottoman rule with the Sultanate of Women era, the muslimah was a vessel of change and an exemplary steward of a faith rapidly growing.