Woooman!

   

    A Jordanian friend of mine, who happens to be living in the Middle Eastern business hub – UAE, made this comment yesterday as we were speaking over the phone: “In Amman, street harassment is becoming more and more common….the comments slapped on women walking down the street are just degrading and infuriating. I had to ask my wife to cover up to avoid problems on our vacation”. Now this issue hits a sensitive cord, especially since extremism in neighbouring countries – almost always being first manifested by attacking/controlling and objectifying women – is a phenomenon that may be contagious. This testosteronian craze taking place in regional countries is not only shameful, but also alarming. Egypt topped the ranking of the worst countries for women's rights in the Arab world, attributed to escalating sexual harassment. Salafism in Saudi Arabia is still prevalent and despite efforts to suppress features of womanhood under loose baggy dark garments, women do receive their share of street harassment, albeit contently. As for Iraq and Syria, the displacement of thousands and their refuge in camps have led to a rise in the testosterone level of men and their loss of control before the minimum display of a feminine feature. The Islamic State may have its street whistlers under control, but women of other faith are considered war spoils and are sold as sex slaves. These phenomena have a series of factors explaining them, but what these countries are passing through and the conditions that have attributed to this situation of out-of-control ogling and leering, are simply not present in Jordan. So what has happened?

   Jordan is suffering from economic woes, regional chaos, political (regional and to a certain extended local) turmoil and social unrest. Nonetheless, and despite rising extremism and fundamentalism, the society still is conservative and does not cross the line of over-harassing women. Street calling, whistling, ogling, gawking and catcalling are a reality, but it stops there- for now. The scary question is whether this innocent street harassment will persist or would it escalate to a serious situation where the side-walk would convert to a hostile and dangerous place for women. Will the Jordanian street become a lewd one? Men and boys are showing signs of sexual thirst, and whether this is something related to regional conditions, religious extremism (whereas indecent women deserve to be harassed), cultural confusion or social anger is unclear. What is clear however is the need to address this issue as soon as possible before it grows into something else and Jordan is ranked alongside Egypt in harassment polls.

Among the many steps that can be taken to address this issue is one to be taken jointly by the government and Jordanian expatriates. In search for economic opportunities or a chance to live in more peaceful and liberal countries, many intellectual, cultured and bright minds left Jordan and relocated elsewhere in the world. This class of people is reflecting a very positive image of Jordan in their host countries but is draining Jordan’s resources of progressive and moderate actors. The cultural role played by these individuals is of utmost importance, and the society is in much need of a boost of liberal thought and action to set itself back on track. The government in this sense has a major responsibility in luring expats back to Jordan. Take the example of India for instance, founding an entire ministry concerned with emigrants, or the case of New Zealand which established the Kiwi Expat Association- a PPP that connects New Zealanders in the world through social actions and keeps them connected with the mother land. France and Germany did not forget about their expats and reserved parliamentary seats for them. Jordan must follow the example and keep its citizens residing abroad within arm’s reach. Even if these expats chose not to return, their connection with Jordan and the role they place when on vacation in the country is also important. We need liberal independent women who refuse to be scared into covering up, who would face all street harassment with courage and determination to change this pathetic reality, who would carry with them the thoughts and ideals acquired abroad to the Jordanian street, and who would remind the male Jordanian youth the morals upon which the society was founded: that of respect to women and their bodies. Books and lectures will not suffice; action on the ground is a key requirement. 

To conclude, change must happen and must be led by the victims themselves who happen to be liberal uncovered women. Whatever this class of men is going through at the moment it would not disappear in an act of magic. Effort is required, and we are all responsible for this change. I will quote ma verse from the holy Quran (Chapter 13 sūrat l-raʿd (The Thunder)) that reminded people that for change to happen, people must change. 

"For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron".