Speech of Dr. Nadine Abou Zaki

NAWF Executive Chair
Opening ceremony

“The woman leads”.
These words remained etched in my mind after I got back from a recent trip to Tunisia on the occasion of the “Arab Woman Organization” conference.
“The woman leads”.
These words were uttered by Youssef, a young taxi driver in his twenties, an average man in tune with his time. That day, my Algerian friend Nadia and I got in his cab.
Nadia asked him:
-Who leads in Tunisia, the man or the woman?
Youssef answered on a firm tone:
-The woman leads.
-What do you think of that? Nadia asked.
-They are enjoying their full rights. They can do whatever they want. They say the word and the law gives them the reasoning.
And he added:
- They want to reverse the rules. They want to work and leave the men at home to take care of the children and the house. That’s too much for us. Women are becoming very demanding.
-What are they demanding?
He answered hesitatingly:
-It is not just the money they are demanding, but many other things.
-And you, how are you doing with women?
-I have love affairs with foreigners: French women, German women…but not Tunisians. I will not marry a Tunisian woman. Tunisan women are very demanding which drives many Tunisian men to marry foreign women.
Youssef had laid down his arms. He had surrendered. He was threatened. Threatened by what? By the invasion of women.
Apart from few exceptions, everywhere in the world, women are invading all screens, all debates and all discussions. Everywhere in the world, women are asserting their very presence at all levels. Everywhere in the world, women forums and movements are increasing, where women strive to weave communal ties. Everywhere in the world, governments are competing to enhance women’s image.

Where the invasion of women begins, the era of men approaches its end.
The West has become aware of this reality. It realized how the feminization of the society can be deleterious for men, women, families and the society as a whole.

As for us, what do we want from our societies tomorrow? What kind of society do we want to build? What’s the worth of a battle that excludes men and where women values are predominant? Shouldn’t we pay more heed to the call of a man who is becoming unable to fit himself in the society? A man whose identity is threatened?

The challenge that lies ahead resides in the gender-based identity crisis that is already looming large.
It is urgent to come to terms with our differences and with our peculiar identities and above all to be aware of them. It is an utmost urgency to be addressed today before tomorrow. For here lies our social responsibility.

Finally, I would like to thank HE First Lady of Lebanon, Mrs. Wafaa Michel Suleiman under whose patronage the forum is held, HE Mrs. Bahiya Hariri for her continuous support, HE Dr. Tarek Metri for embracing the forum, the Arab League, and a generous thanks to Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal for all that it has bestowed on this forum, and which, to the group, serves as social responsibility. I would also like to extend my thanks to mbc and to all our sponsors. Thank you all for your presence and devotion. Thanks to friends, who as in every round, have granted us their effort and time.

Welcome to the “New Arab Women Forum”.