How to change a country's image in the world? 'Women' - Arab News
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The whole concept of girls’ education needs to be addressed and revamped with a more enlightened and radical approach. Our current standard of education is untenable internationally. Whereas most countries have joined in a global race toward academic excellence and superiority, we haven’t even ventured toward the starting line yet. It is true that jobs have become available for women and there is a real opening up of opportunities here, which is a step in the right direction.
However, the sad fact is that even though many of the women I know here are more than capable of doing a good job, they are denied the chance because of their lack of pertinent qualifications. Even though the scope of careers is widening, there is still a lack of basic educational infrastructure to support its growth. Many of the choices that we have at our universities here are astonishingly limited and limiting. The realization that we have the ability and potential is simply not enough. Greater emphasis must be placed on more relevant and vocational based courses geared toward women. There has to be change. We need to move on.
Someone at the Ministry of Information asked me recently what it was that I felt would help our image in the outside world. It didn't take me a second to think. "Women," I said categorically. If we truly want to show that we are capable of progress and advancement and that we are willing to move forward at a pace that shows a commitment to change and reform, then we need to show the world the wonderfully strong women of our society. Yes we wear the veil and no, we don't drive, but that doesn't mean that we are regressive, backward and uninspired.
And for those in authority who may be reading this article, please remember: Educate a man and you liberate an individual, educate a woman and you emancipate a nation.
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See Publius Pundit for more on the theme of women's leadership.
------START QUOTE------
The whole concept of girls’ education needs to be addressed and revamped with a more enlightened and radical approach. Our current standard of education is untenable internationally. Whereas most countries have joined in a global race toward academic excellence and superiority, we haven’t even ventured toward the starting line yet. It is true that jobs have become available for women and there is a real opening up of opportunities here, which is a step in the right direction.
However, the sad fact is that even though many of the women I know here are more than capable of doing a good job, they are denied the chance because of their lack of pertinent qualifications. Even though the scope of careers is widening, there is still a lack of basic educational infrastructure to support its growth. Many of the choices that we have at our universities here are astonishingly limited and limiting. The realization that we have the ability and potential is simply not enough. Greater emphasis must be placed on more relevant and vocational based courses geared toward women. There has to be change. We need to move on.
Someone at the Ministry of Information asked me recently what it was that I felt would help our image in the outside world. It didn't take me a second to think. "Women," I said categorically. If we truly want to show that we are capable of progress and advancement and that we are willing to move forward at a pace that shows a commitment to change and reform, then we need to show the world the wonderfully strong women of our society. Yes we wear the veil and no, we don't drive, but that doesn't mean that we are regressive, backward and uninspired.
And for those in authority who may be reading this article, please remember: Educate a man and you liberate an individual, educate a woman and you emancipate a nation.
------E.O.Q.------
See Publius Pundit for more on the theme of women's leadership.
posted by John B. Chilton at 4/01/2005 08:31:00 PM
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