10 Arab Women Making Strides in Politics
BY: Diego Reyes/Contributing Writer
March marks Women’s History Month where the world celebrates women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. It is important to recognize the great achievements that have been made in the world of politics, an area where women are still underrepresented around the world.For Arab women in particular, outsiders have questioned their lack of representation in government and decision-making positions. For Women’s History Month, it is imperative to recognize the many Arab women who have indeed made strides in the world of politics and fight for equality of all women.
For Arab women in particular, outsiders have questioned their lack of representation in government and decision-making positions. In fact, the Arab world has the least amount of women holding government positions out of any geographic region in the world – an issue many are trying to tackle.
For Women’s History Month, it is imperative to recognize the many Arab women who have indeed made strides in the world of politics and fight for equality of all women.
Here are just 10 Arab women that have made strides in this fight.
1. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi
Appointed to the role of Minister of State for Tolerance in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, has helped to lead her country into a period of unprecedented philanthropy. She has also contributed to charities on her own time, volunteering with friends of Cancer Patients Society and serving on the Board of Directors for the Dubai Autism Center. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to hold a ministerial post in the UAE. Now, five women hold ministerial positions in the UAE.
2. Mary Rose Oakar
An American Democratic politician and former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, Mary Rose Oakar, is the first Democratic woman elected to the United States Congress from her home state. She currently serves as a member of the Ohio State Board of Education
3. Leila El Solh
The youngest daughter of the late former Lebanese Prime Minister Riad El Solh, Leila El Solh made history in politics when she became the first woman in the country’s history to hold a cabinet position when she took on the role of Minister of Industry. Today, she focuses on her work with the Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation in Lebanon.
4. Tahany El Gebali
Making history in 2003, Tahany El Gebali was appointed Egypt’s first female judge. After getting her law degree from the University of Cairo, she came into national prominence after a series of high-profile cases in which she acted for the defendant. She has always been a proponent of women’s rights and freedom of expression throughout her long career, which has led her to the appointment of deputy president of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court.
5. Faten Al Naqeeb
One of the Gulf’s foremost lawyers, Faten Al Naqeeb began her career in the law office of Nabeil Al Naqeeb, where she quickly rose to the top. In 1995, she introduced and led the international practice at Al Naqeeb & Partners with offices in every GCC state, as well as Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, the US, and the UK. She has counseled several US oil super majors on their operations in Kuwait, including ExxonMobil.
6. Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi
Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi took the groundbreaking step toward equality in Saudi Arabia by leading women to their right to participate in elections. She is the first woman to ever win a seat on the council of Madrakah, a region in Mecca, not only beating other women, but also seven other men. Saudi Arabia, which has some of the toughest restrictions on women’s rights in the world, has taken a huge step towards equality.
7. Zoulikha Nasri
USEPA Photo by Eric VanceZoulikha Nasri was a lawyer and the first female royal advisor in the history of Morocco. During her tenure, she was an advisor to King Mohammed VI and managing director of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. After obtaining her law degree, she became an official in the Moroccan Ministry of Finance and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1997, she she was appointed Secretary of State to the Minister of Social Affairs until she was called to join the royal cabinet in 1998.
8. Hind al-Fayez
A very successful lawmaker and a member in the Parliament of Jordan, Hind al-Fayez decided to become more involved in politics due to the corruption she saw in her country. Her main goal was to be in a position where she could “hold officials accountable.” In addition to being a member of parliament, she is also co-chair of the Integrity and Transparency Committee and a member of the Energy Committee.
9. Ilhan Omar
A Somali American politician from Minnesota and former refugee, Ilhan Omar is the Director of Policy and Initiatives of the Women Organizing Women Network. In 2016, she was elected a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party legislator in the Minnesota House of Representatives, becoming the first Somali American elected to office in the country, first Arab American in Minnesota’s state legislator, and first American Muslim woman to be elected to Minnesota’s state legislator.
10. Hanan Ashrawi
A Palestinian legislator, activist, and scholar, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi was a very important leader during the First Intifada in Palestine, where she served as the official spokesperson for the Palestinian Delegation to the Middle East peace process, and has been elected numerous times to the Palestinian Legislative Council. Today, she serves as a member of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s Third Way party. She is the first woman elected to the Palestinian National Council.
