Men vs Women in The Arab World

Picture: http://www.yankodesign.com/2007/02/02/abu-dhabi-performing-arts-centre-by-zaha-hadid/

This genius of an architect is a figure that should be admired around the Arab countries and the whole world. She is a symbol, of intelligence, ambition and creativity. She has proven that Iraqis, can make it big in the world.... An Arab woman can make it big in the world.... this Arab woman is Zaha Hadid who designed the Guangzhou Opera House, the Maxxi- National Museum of the 21st Century Art in Rome and  Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. An amazing woman! 

Check out her latest masterpiece:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/feb/28/guangzhou-opera-house-zaha-hadid

There are two voices in my head... one that wants to tell the world that Arab women are not treated disrespectfully, they are educated, they have rights...etc... which is true to many extents.. and propaganda plays a big role in showing one side of the whole story

But 

the other voice wants me to tell the Arab countries that they need to release their tight grip over women and let them share their talents and intelligence with the rest of their country.... let them share the rights, share the jobs, share the economic inputs, share the politics, administrations, businesses...etc. Let them carry half of the load that men carry to build and develop their country... let them prove themselves... move away from culture, religion and tradition.  

Please do not misunderstand me...

I am NOT  talking about values here... values such as respecting your parents and elders, your teachers and your siblings, the love of a close family and carrying out your obligations towards them... the subtle cultural values that make us admired by other countries... never...

I am just talking about the rituals and traditional ways of communicating and dealing with the opposite sex (and this is not referring in any way to premarital sex vs virginity issues).... 

I am just talking about talking and working between the genders and how one gender is viewed as a whole by both genders !

In order for our countries to move forward and make forward jumps for a brighter, richer and more fulfilling future, they need to include and think about all 100% of the population... yes, that would include the children and the old people....

We need to think about the children... build parks and keep them clean... focus on their playing and how they play.... if they had places that helps them build their imagination., their physical and cognitive skills...we need to focus on  educating them in the most advanced ways, teaching them how to think for themselves, be creative, think outside the box... we need to stop the spoon- feeding -  chalk and talking - threatening teaching methods used in many of the countries in that region... We have an obligation towards our children... they are the future of our countries...We, parents, teachers and the community as a whole, have an obligation to build our children's characters...

We also have a duty towards our elders... they are the keepers of our history... the witnesses of our beginnings... we need to take care of them as well... provide them with good pension plans, good parks, activities and entertaining programs... we need to provide them with medical and health care just as we do with our children.

We have a duty towards our working community... build better factories, better working conditions, better working hours and salaries, recreational facilities, clean bathrooms, areas to walk and relax during lunch break.... etc...

We have a MASSIVE job ahead of us if we wanted to leap forward...
and we need both genders to make that leap...
BOTH... not one or the other... BOTH...