Prominent women from across the Arab world have called for more political, social and economic rights for women. Speaking at the opening of a three-day Arab Women's Organisation (AWO) conference in Bahrain, they declared old-fashioned attitudes and institutionalised discrimination were holding back women, and therefore the whole of Arab society.The event, under the theme Six Years After the First Arab Women's Summit: Achievements and Challenges, is being attended by high-level delegations from 17 Arab countries, including seven led by First Ladies. The conference is chaired by Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and AWO chairwoman.
Egypt's Suzanne Mubarak, wife of President Hosni Mubarak said development of women cannot be separated from the development of Arab society as a whole - "Development requires social, political and economic reform...the Arab world faces globalisation challenges and must be able to partner with developed countries. In order to meet these challenges, the role of women must be activated".
