BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Sobering Statistics
Today, only 55 percent of adult Iraqi males can read. The statistics are even worse for adult Iraqi
females, for whom literacy rates are only 23 percent. Sadly, two-thirds of Iraqi schools do not even
have libraries.
But these numbers are hardly surprising considering the level of neglect towards the educational
system in Iraq over the years; for more than two decades, public funds were siphoned off for military
expenditures and other priorities of the former regime, leaving little for education. Hundreds of
schools were built only with mud and reeds, particularly in the southern governorates.

It’s a situation which must be corrected, as school systems an essential forum for teaching tolerance
and national unity according to Najat Shaker Mahmood, principal of a combined elementary school
and orphanage in central Iraq.
Explained Mahmood, “We teach them [the students] to love people and try to fashion them to be good
citizens. We hope they will use these skills to build a more stable future for Iraq.”
“Only the educated are free.” Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Discourses

http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net/portal/page?_pageid=75,71578&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&Regid=1&pDetid=1291

Hey Reb,
Do ya think those dames from NOW have seen this information?

Flak,

The way those DAMES from the NOW gang sat down, shut up and let Bill Clinton ride roughshod over 20 years of their work to "liberate" women, do you honestly expect them to come out and defend the invasion of Iraq when it's polictically incorrect for them to do so? To stand up for the rights of Iraqi women would be to justify the invasion of Iraq, which is something the left simply will not do.

Reb's statistic really don't surprise me, I'm willing to bet they are typical of Mid-East countries.

Originally posted by Darth Be'lal
Reb's statistic really don't surprise me, I'm willing to bet they are typical of Mid-East countries.

How interesting!
So, just out of curiosity... Exactly how far would you go with your bet?

Kingdom of SAUDI ARABIA

*
Area - 2,200,518 sq km / 849,400 sq ml
*
Capital - Riyadh
*
Language - Arabic
*
Currency - Rial
*
Population - 24,293,844
*
Life expectancy - 64 (men), 68 (women)
*
Literacy rate - 73% (men), 48% (women)

Well Sweety

It looks like you live in a progressive country.


UAE women appear to be the most enthusiastic females for education in the Arab world as they outnumber literate males in contrast with the other Arab countries.

While most regional states have made progress in anti-illiteracy campaigns, female literacy has remained far behind the male literacy ratio because of social restrictions. The UAE is the only exception. Qatar's male-female literacy gap has been bridged but in the UAE women have outpaced men in education.

Unicef statistics showed female literacy in the UAE stood at 79 per cent at the end of 2000 while male literacy was put at 75 per cent.

In 1990, both male and female literacy rates were equal at 71 per cent and experts attributed female progress to stronger interest by women and more social freedom. "It seems women in the UAE are more enthusiastic than men to get education," an Education Ministry official said.

"Another reason is that more women are now being allowed to get education and work because of the gradual collapse of social barriers."

Female Literacy Key To Uncorking Middle East Development Genie
Isobel Coleman on the role of women in the Middle East and South West Asia.


When most people think of women in the Middle East they picture traditional purdah, heavy robes and veils, women being stoned to death for dishonoring their families, and women being unable to move freely about. And all of these things are true, but it’s a much more complicated picture than that.

I think that there are enormous strides being made by women in the Middle East to bring change to that region. Women in Morocco are running for Parliament and taking a much more active role in the political environment there. The Moroccan king, King Mohamed allocated 20 percent of the seats in Parliament to women, a quota in the last election.

In Tunisia efforts to lower the very high birthrate have been incredibly successful. Women are much better educated, are much more involved in the economy and have fewer children, which is to the long-term benefit of Tunisia.

In Egypt you see women taking a very active role in changing laws governing marriage and divorce. Currently, if an Egyptian woman marries a non-Egyptian man, her children are not considered Egyptian. Egyptian men are also able to divorce their wives very easily – too easily. They’re simply required to pay back the dowry they received at the time of the marriage, which might be worthless in today’s economic climate. This leaves their wives destitute.

In Jordan, there is a quota for women in elections. The women candidates in the last election did not fare very well, but six of them were elected to the National Assembly. Queen Rania, who is an ardent supporter of Jordanian women, is an inspiration for many women in the region.

In Iran, where the country’s theocratic excesses fall most heavily on woman, they are leading the charge for political change.

In Iraq, women are excited about being able to play a full role in the country’s reconstruction, but the security situation is so tenuous right now for women there that it’s hard for them to do so.

In Kuwait, there is a very active and educated population, and it’s only a matter of time before women there will be allowed to vote. In Qatar, the Sheikha Mozza bin Nasser al-Misnid, the Amir’s wife, has been instrumental in bringing educational reform to that country and now women make up the majority of university students.

http://www.globalenvision.org/library/8/544/6/

Originally posted by old-reb
When most people think of women in the Middle East they picture traditional purdah, heavy robes and veils, women being stoned to death for dishonoring their families, and women being unable to move freely about. And all of these things are true, but it’s a much more complicated picture than that.

^ no, not true.

and fyi, stoning is illegal.

Originally posted by Innocent Sweety
^ no, not true.

and fyi, stoning is illegal.

Hello Sweety,

I found this woman convicted to be stoned to death but I couldn't find any info that she had actuall been stoned.


A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced a female Indonesian expatriate to be stoned to death after she was convicted of adultery.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/660233.stm

It never happens. I doubt it will actually happen.

This explains it:
"It is believed Karikender had been working as a housemaid in a local home. "

My theory:
She worked with a Royal Family. It probably says local home to avoid embarrassment. She had an affair with the driver or cook. They wanted to scare the other staff into never thinking about it by threatening the maid with stoning.

^ it happens!

your theory innocent sweety.....
Saudi and UAE are in line too... better get with the program............
"W" opened a BIG can of "whoopass", there's plenty to go around..... God Bless America...

In line with what?

In line with what?
In line to be "liberated" by George Bush.

And your country Jester, America..... remember?

I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get to it, then. Though I doubt that W would wanna mess with us.

Originally posted by Innocent Sweety
I guess we'll just cross that bridge when we get to it, then. Though I doubt that W would wanna mess with us.

Bushy has no problems with UAE ally. The French give us more trouble than UAE.

Anyway, I still like the French too .

old reb