In most parts of the Arab Region, one of the worst slurs you can direct to a man is to call him a woman, or point out the obvious and call him a "son of a woman". But if you want to tell a woman she is brave, strong or independent, one of the best compliments you can pay her is calling her a "man", or better yet, "worth a 100 men."
In the minds of millions of Arab men and women, the very word "woman" signifies weakness and dependency when the word "man" signifies strength and an ability to provide support and shoulder responsibilities.
While patriarchy takes hold of cultures and social norms across the globe, the Arab Region remains the lowest on almost every available gender equality indicator.
In the face of a solid, protracted legacy of marginalization and negative stereotypes, women are leading the change in the region by challenging taboos and taking hold of what is theirs without asking permission. Dancing around the streets of Cairo, boxing in Jordan or racing car in Palestine, Arab women are pushing boundaries and slowly breaking stereotypes.
pushing boundaries
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