US Report: Pandemic Increased Challenges Facing Women in Arab World

Two women pose for a selfie outside Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters file photo
Two women pose for a selfie outside Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters file photo
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US Report: Pandemic Increased Challenges Facing Women in Arab World

Two women pose for a selfie outside Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters file photo
Two women pose for a selfie outside Rafik Hariri hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters file photo

A US report has said that one year into the global pandemic, the status of women in the Arab region and the Middle East has regressed, particularly on the economic, social, and political fronts.

Akin to global trends, the region has witnessed a surge in gender-based violence and in job losses amongst employed women; adding to the myriad challenges women already face in society, especially in war-torn countries like Yemen, Syria, and Libya, where the hardships they endure are amplified, said a report published by the Middle East Program of the Wilson Center in Washington to mark International Women’s Day.

It presented eight new blogs. These authors are women writers, scholars, and professionals from the Middle East and North Africa region who shine a light on the women of MENA said Merissa Khurma, Program Director, Middle East Program, Merissa Khurma.

As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19 and its variants, confronted with unequal access to vaccinations, exhausted healthcare systems, and ailing economies, the impacts on women will likely worsen further. Thus it is imperative to address the challenges women are facing at home and abroad. That is indeed the mandate of the newly formed Gender Policy Council under the Biden-Harris White House, said the report.

Women's rights activist Kahina Bouagache paints a grim picture as victims of femicide increase in Algeria under pandemic conditions, stressing that “gender equality to prevent violence against women must not only be mandatory but also implemented effectively.” She adds that interventions to address GBR “must address the particular needs of women and girls; they must be treated as equal partners in all efforts to build peace, actors in the economy, and support the nation all together.”

In Bahrain, journalist Wafa Alaam points to the challenges Bahraini women face on the legal and political fronts despite the government’s appreciation for empowering them. She urges the Biden administration to work with its allies in the region, including Bahrain, to “implement general political reforms that will include women by opening the way for civil society and to reform restrictive legislation that discriminates against women.

Margot Badran, Senior Fellow, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, writes that US foreign assistance to Egypt is “best utilized by prioritizing support for the training of women among the urban and rural poor—the vast majority of the population—in healthcare provision and income generating activities.” She observes that women’s efforts are key to ending the pandemic in Egypt at the family, community and national levels.

Haleh Esfandiari, Distinguished Fellow; Director Emerita, Middle East Program, highlights the human rights challenges facing women in Iran, urging the United States to listen to the voices of human rights and women’s activists such as that of Nasrin Sotoudeh in both the homeland and the diaspora, for it is “these women, active on the ground, who best understand what needs to be done and the kind of support they need.”

Leila Hanafi, International Development Lawyer with the World Bank Group, emphasizes strengthening the formal justice system in Morocco while also acknowledging informal justice practices, explaining that one of the biggest obstacles in her country “is to address the legislative gaps that persist with disparities between the laws on the books and their implementation.” She adds that the US “should engage with both the formal and informal justice systems to ensure that justice programming promotes recognition of basic human rights standards, which are central to the Biden-Harris foreign policy agenda.”

In Tunisia, Lilia Labidi, Visiting Research Professor, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore; Former Minister for Women’s Affairs (January to December 2011), Government of Tunisia, writes that the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the role of women scientists and healthcare workers. She sees this as a “critical moment for ‘science diplomacy’ between countries such as Tunisia and the United States,” adding that the GPC, “can invigorate scientific exchanges by emphasizing the accomplishments and ambitions of women scientists.”

And from Yemen, Iman Al Harithi, who works as an advisor for GIZ-Yemen for the program, reminds us that while Yemeni women played a key role in the 2011 uprisings, the ravages of war have most severely impacted women and girls. Lacking a formal system that protects women, Al Hairithi urges international organizations and global leaders, including the United States, to engage women in the political process, because “without women's political engagement within the peace negotiation and political system, Yemen won’t have a stable future and the governing system will remain weak and fragile.”



Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between its main backer Iran and Israel.

"I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Hezbollah in the war.

Barrack met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace and Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

Hezbollah has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran and expressed full solidarity with its leadership.

Hezbollah on Thursday expressed support for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following threats by Israeli leaders that he could be killed.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that “threats to assassinate (Khamenei) are foolish and reckless, and will have disastrous consequences.”

But the group has stopped short of making explicit threats to intervene.

Israel's defense minister said Thursday that Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist" after an Israeli hospital was hit during an Iranian missile attack.

"Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed -- he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals. He considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal," Israel Katz told journalists in Holon near Tel Aviv. "Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist."

Killing Khamenei would "end the conflict" between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.