Television footage of the Libya uprising often shows rebel men fighting for their country but behind the scenes women there are facing a battle of their own as they contribute to the protests.
Samira Jamil, a Libyan who lives in Malta, hopes once the uprising is over women in Libya will be ushered into a new era where they can actively participate in public life and where freedom of speech and expression and equality prevail in a democratic set-up.
“Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed great numbers of women taking to the streets in protest, defying stereotypes and taboos. However, it is not only their physical presence in the streets that is noticed but also their active participation through blogging, tweeting and organising that proves women have been a galvanising force in this uprising,” she said.
As the world marks International Women’s Day today, highlighting the fact that not all women enjoy rights and freedoms, Ms Jamil reflected on women’s role in the Arab world.
Egyptian, Tunisian and Libyan women, whether inside their countries or elsewhere, are savouring their newfound freedom of expression and taking part in interviews, debates and other communication platforms.
“It has been so heartening to listen to well-educated, eloquent Arab women, silenced for decades, speaking out and not only breaking the fear barrier but also the gender barrier,” said Ms Jamil, 43, who has been in Malta since 1995 and is reading for her Masters in communications.
She added that the aim of the uprisings in the Arab world was to bring autocratic regimes to an end and pave the way for more meaningful participation by women in society.
“I hope the active role women are playing in these uprisings will not only bring about a change in regimes but also a change in perceptions... By urging their husbands, sons and daughters to take part in protests of all sorts, mothers have been instrumental in these uprisings,” Ms Jamil said.
Another Libyan woman, who has been living in Malta for over two decades and preferred not to be named, recalled the suppression women faced in her country.
“Women in Libya are suppressed by tradition. It is not about religion and can’t be pinned on the regime... It’s about tradition,” she stressed.
She left Libya as a child and lived in various parts of the world including Malta, the UK and the US. She tried moving back to Libya but was too suppressed and so returned to Malta.
“There is a price to pay for being independent... When I go to Libya people, and even some women, look at me as though I am an alien,” she said.
The woman attended some protests in Malta during which she was told by a person to go home because it was not a woman’s place, a sign the stifling tradition managed to cross over to Malta.
The Labour Party spokesman for equality, Helena Dalli, said women’s day should be used to show solidarity with all the women and men who were suffering because they were fighting for peace and human rights.