by Debra Eichenbaum, Legal Intern, 
National Women's Law Center

When President Obama spoke at Cairo University last week, press outlets from around the world covered his overtures of peace and reconciliation to the Muslim world. Without doubt, it was an important speech. What the press didn’t cover extensively, however, was a small segment near the end of the speech, where the President spoke eloquently about the role of women in America and in the Muslim world.

The role of women in Islam, from the wearing of the hijab to their inability to run for high office in many countries, is a highly controversial topic strained by intense emotions and religious beliefs. Indeed, there are human rights abuses against women in various parts of the world.

In his speech, however, President Obama did not merely focus on the problems facing women in the Muslim world. Rather, he took the opportunity to engage in self-reflection and recognize that here, in America, we are far from achieving equality between men and women. Recognizing that equality is still elusive for American women and that employment opportunities remain imbalanced, President Obama eloquently declared a truth that women have known for quite a long time: that “[o]ur daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons”.

Building on President Obama’s message of reconciliation with the Muslim world and recognition of the unique burdens that women face both here and abroad, we should redouble our efforts to bridge the divide in education, employment, and opportunity that still plagues our society.

• Tags:
• Debra Eichenbaum

View Original Post at womenstake.org