Arab revolutionists must not forget Arab women

The ongoing winds of change blowing in Arabia have not only reshaped the regions political ambitions, but mostly reinstated social unity. Observers have marveled at how young and old, men and women of all classes and beliefs are standing and calling for equal rights.

I say marveled because this is merely a politically organised campaign. It is rather a break from the image of social divisions that western media and patriarchal, ogliarchal, dictators have instilled in the Arab peoples' minds.

For many generations, the social structures in the Arab world have been weakened, where religious tolerance became division, gender equality became discrimination, and social security became poverty and lack of adequate services for children and the elderly. The workers movement died and became controlled by religious fanatics in countries like Jordan. In the aftermath of the revolutions that toppled the dictators of Tunis and Egypt - the role of social (media) activists behind those movements and beyond is to ensure that the demands they called for are met.

The ambitions in Egypt and Tunisia have been higher than those in Jordan or Algeria. Although all demonstrators across the region have similar calls for freedom of assembly, political organisation, free media, free expression, and fair and free elections - the reality remains that no one has taken up calling for equal rights for women.

My first visit to Cairo was to attend a UNIFEM conference on the right (or lack thereof) of citizenship for Arab women. The conference took place at Semir Amis hotel by the Tahrir Square. Memories of that 2005 conference echoed in my head as I shouted "Down with Husni Mubarak" at both my computer and TV high definition screens. I marvelled how women in Tahrir square were saying they never felt more secure in Cairo - no harassment - there was the real arab social structure - brothers and sisters protecting their collective interest equally.

Yet this has not translated into the demands of the protesters - although "fair elections" and "free political organisations" will give women in Egypt a better foundation for their movements and rights, this has to be guaranteed some how.

We have seen public display of affection on the Arab street, let us keep it going. I expect that we should not abandon our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends and high-jack the revolution - the way Islamists in Jordan are doing (in a recent protests, they exchanged the picture of a dead Egyptian protesting woman with a bearded man on one of the signs raised).

Call for equal rights to citizenship for Arab women. Equal rights to work and education. Call for the right of women to feel secure wherever she is. Call for punishment of sexual molesters. Call for equal divorce rights, for equal fostering rights, for equal marriage rights, for the right of people to own their own bodies, minds and future.

Call for equal human rights. Now!