SMASHING THE STEREOTYPES OF ARAB WOMEN

Frustration, sometimes even anger, was expressed by women academics and businesswomen from the Arab Gulf states. They were at the Binnenhof in The Hague to "smash" the stereotypes of Arab women prevailing in the West and in the Western media: 'They think we are still completely covered in black, pulling our camel behind us.'

Emotions were running high in the former Dutch Parliament hall where the meeting took place. Moderator Lousewies van der Laan, a former Dutch MP and MEP, hit a sore spot when she asked the women about the driving ban for women that is in force in Saudi Arabia. Raja Easa al-Gurg, board member of Dubai Chamber of Commerce: 'We are not allowed to drive, so what? Does your Queen drive her own car, does an ambassador drive his own car?' read more (radionetherlands.nl)

more features

December 5, 2007