Mona• Show poetry

Dr. Mona is an Egyptian Physician, specialized in internal medicine. She works in a diabetic center in Alexandria, Egypt. She is , married to another doctor and has three daughters. As any career woman, she has to balance between her career and home
A tough act in middle eastern societies where the home front is the sole responsibility of the wife. On top of that, she is a member of several societies working to fight diabetes and educate people about this disease. In her spare time she writes poetry. What is remarkable about this lady is the fact that she is leading a women movement in The Middle East that is quite different from the women movement in thee west. In the still traditional Middle Eastern societies, although women have the right to vote education and have enjoyed equal pay for equal work.
Women do not enjoy the same freedoms and rights as men. The Middle Eastern men have much more control inside and outside home. Any women movement is perceived to be a threat to man supremacy. In a conservative and strongly religious society, Middle eastern men whether they are Moslems, Christians and Jews; have used religion and culture to preserve their higher status in the society.
The women movement in the west, led by Gloria Steinem, , and Kate Millett demanded equality and non-discrimination. Also, the movement considered men as the oppressors and questioned social institutions and moral values, suggesting that most supposed differences between men and women result not from biology but from culture. Dr. Mona Omar movement is quite different. She is inviting both men and women to join their movement. Men are considered not the enemy but the allies who are necessary to create a happy life for both genders in the society.
She is not going out in street demonstration. Nor does she give fiery speeches. Dr. Mona argues that: If half the population in Egypt and the Arab Countries are females, the society there can only progress if women cease to look at themselves as victims of traditions, power, economics. Women have to seek self-enlightenment and self-fulfillment. Only self-fulfilled woman who has the feeling of well being, can give make her family, spouse and society healthy and happy. The old wisdom correctly states that you cant give it if you don’t have it.
She is only using the power of soft persuasion & education to convince both men and women, that a woman will be a better partner, wife, mother and companion, if she excises the basic following rights: The right to enjoy a healthy life style through healthy custom diet, exercise and mental relaxation. The right to enjoy her inner self through spirituality values harmony and serenity. The right to enjoy of healthy relations with her parent, spouse, friends and other women. Relationship that is based on loves, caring and respect.
The right to enjoy the support of the family, friends and other women to pursue her own self-improvement. The right to enjoy her beauty, sexuality within the bound of society value system. The right to access good medical advice and treatment especially for specific women problems like PMS, menopause, breast & ovarian cancers, child birth…..etc. and finally . The right to live without threats, sexual harassment or abuse and to get gender blind justice. No doubt, the road For Dr. Mona cultural evolution or velvet revolution will probably be bumpy at times. But how can you argue with a woman who is not fighting , instead she is working wants to make both men and women happier?. I think her message and methods are valid beyond the middle eastern societies. I have never met her in person, we have communicated through the internet. I have a great deal of respect for what she is trying to achieve and wish her success

Sal Hassanien
Shoreline Beacon Newspaper published in Ontario, Canada.
April 15, 2000