feminist wire | daily newsbriefs

September 21, 1999

More Women Taking Leadership Roles in Arab States

This week Khadijah bint Hassan al-Lawati became the first woman ambassador named in the Arab Muslim country of Oman. This appointment is part of a movement in Oman and some of the other Gulf Arab states to grant women a larger role in society.

Earlier this year a measure was proposed that would grant women the right to vote. In Qatar, women voted and ran in municipal elections for the first time in March. Oman has named 5 women to its Shura Council. Last May, a woman was appointed to the Omani chamber of commerce board of directors. Thursday Morocco appointed its first female ambassador for three decades when literature professor Aziza Bennani became its representative to UNESCO.

Media Resources: CNN - September 16, 1999

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