Women and the Tree of Life: Women's History Month 2021
By: Leila Diab / Arab America Contributing Writer
Women’s history month 2021 will celebrate the extraordinary movement and involvement of Arab women. Their perseverance, empowerment and activism continue to change their status in society. These women’s long and steep mountain journey for equality, human rights and social justice has never been exhausted. It has only liberated their global sisterhood voices for change.
Inspiring Arab Women
In Palestine, Egypt, Syria and other Middle Eastern and African countries, there are many pioneer women. Dr. Hanan El Asrawi (Palestine) is a scholar, activist and legislative leader and media spokesperson. Kholoud Faqih (from Gaza) became the first Islamic Judge in Palestine. Dr. Nawal Al Saadawi (Egypt) physician and human rights activist. Lotfia El Nadi, at the age of 26, became the first Egyptian woman to be a licensed pilot in 1933. Huwaida Arraf (born in the U.S) is a Palestinian human rights activist, lawyer and chair of the Free Gaza Movement.
These distinguished women represent the prisms of admiration and honor for other Arabs and women worldwide to follow.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite fears and setbacks, both the visible and invisible women of this movement have made significant contributions to the coming generations. They are the seeds and trees of life. Their branches of hope have extended during the unfortunate tirades of immoral and discriminatory injustices against women. Protecting, educating, feeding and clothing their children are yet more ways in which women empower the next generation to achieve their dreams. One day, mothers and offspring will be united in cultural acceptance, pride and dignity.
“My worth is what’s inside
Not what you see on the outside
I have the will to change people
I have the beauty of a rose
Does not matter if you oppose
You cannot break what is inside me
My esteem, confidence,
My pride.”
Irene Agada Muiri– Uganda, Africa
Women United
Unfortunately, in today’s world, women of African and Arab descent suffer social marginalization and unequal job prospects. They are often subject to racist abuse and derogatory portrayals in the media.
Reportedly, Black women, some of whom are African migrants, suffer double discrimination. “The standard of beauty in our society is to be white,” said Khawla Ksiksi, a feminist and anti-racism activist who co-founded the Voices of Black Tunisian Women group.
Emboldened by the global Black Lives Matter movement, Ksiksi and black Arab women wanted to show the day-to-day racial prejudice and abuse they face. This is especially essential for a region where there is widespread denial about the issue.
Another diverse voice for women of the region is Somali-Yemeni activist Amna Ali. She founded the Black Arabs Collective, an Instagram platform that aims to raise awareness about race and racism in the region.
Growing Branches
The roles and involvement of the young “tree branches” of women and women organizations continue to strengthen the movement. The National Organization of Women (NOW) and the Association for Women’s Rights in Development are such entities. They expose and reverse the many human injustices and immoral layers of unprotected freedoms, truths and universal human rights worldwide.
In short, this women’s history month will show women’s continuation to foster and expand beyond media and network communities. Our universal praise and special tribute to women have impacted the growth, survival and wisdom of the Tree of Life.
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