Women in the Middle East And North Africa and Universal Suffrage

Abstract

Emancipation of women and equalization of their political rights have been successful only in part in the coun tries of the Middle East and North Africa. The condition of women depends on the behavior of the man in the family and on the family's geographic location and cultural and economic level. Variations in these factors result in two basic types of differentially structured collectivities. Positive factors are current political regimes abiding by egalitarian and reform principles, cultural progress, women's organizations, and the struggle against illiteracy. Negative factors are customs or tra ditions, obscurantism, and ignorance. Governmental measures taken vary according to whether the states are secular or Moslem and whether Moslem states follow the traditional or reformed version of Islam. Agrarian reform, industrialization, and changes in mores will contribute to the growth of women's equality, socially and economically as well as politically. There is a clear trend toward a universal civilization in which women will be called upon to play an effective role.

A supplementary note on the situation of women in Israel is found at the end of the article. It has been prepared by the Special Editor of this volume.—Ed.