DPC addresses at seminar in Cairo

A number of renowned media personalities also participated in the seminar including Dr. Layla Abdul Majeed from Cairo University; Saudi journalist Amjad Rida; critic and playwright Dr. Milha Abdullah. She also participated in a Press Conference after the seminar to brief Egyptian journalists on Arab Journalism Award which aims at promoting excellence in Arabic media.

Addressing the seminar, Mona Al Marri said that there is a very noticeable difference between the status of women in various countries for example in some Arab countries, 60% of women are uneducated. The first and most important action to that needs to be taken according to her is to deal with this problem effectively in order to enable the Arab woman and Arab communities to make the best of the available opportunities and face the challenges of the present times.

Al Marri also raised another significant point which is the sad reality of discrimination against women. She said that it is an unacceptable reality as religion, constitutions, and civil government systems all prohibit this.

Al Marri questioned whether the portrayal of Arab women in media is actually true and whether or not issues of interest to Arab women are being fairly discussed and presented in the media. She also questioned whether this portrayal actually reflects the reality of women in Iraq, Palestine, Algeria, the countryside in Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Yemen and other countries.

She said, "The sad reality and in fact the crisis is that this portrayal actually reflects the vision of certain elite class of society. This is the same class which is supposed to support and improve the status of women but how can we rely on them to do justice to this cause?"

Al Marri also highlighted the role of women in mid 50s. She said that the lack of education in that period did not hinder women from playing an important and supportive role in the lives of their husbands, especially during their tough long diving trips for pearls. Women used to be the anchor as they took care of the children and the household.

She added, "By early 60s, the society witnessed new changes as education was introduced. Now, because of the support of the late President of UAE H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, illiteracy has been reduced to 10% in the UAE and this percentage represents only the elderly. Not to mention the continuous support of Her Highness Shiekha Fatima bint Mubarak for the women in the UAE. And of course we cannot forget the role H.H.General Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence who has given women full support to hold some of the leading positions in the government."

Al Marri said that the status of women in the UAE is actually considered one of the best in the Arab world due to the continuing development of education. Al Marri also said that the status of women in the UAE is governed by the same laws as in the rest of the Arab world, except for two advantages, one is the special rights concerning working mothers and secondly issues relating to inheritance and other civil rights.

As part of her Cairo visit Al Marri also participated in the press conference which was organized by the regional office for Special Olympics in the Middle East and North Africa to announce the establishment of their office in Dubai. Al Marri said during the conference that the DPC is ready to provide full support for the office in Dubai by giving full media support and enabling those who are physically challenged to participate in all the activities organized by the Dubai office.