ABSTRACT
Generally speaking, the contributors to this edition seem cautiously optimistic about the positive impact of the Arab Spring on Arab women. They all call upon Arab women in particular to take advantage of the atmosphere associated with the revolutions sweeping the Arab world to expand their rights and the scope of their participation in the affairs of the region. In the case of Jordanian women, in particular, Maaitah et al. state that the struggle for expanding women’s rights is an ongoing process under constant change. Within the context of the Arab Spring, endless opportunities opened up for Arabs including women. The Arab people aspire to democratic societies, greater stability, and ultimately progress and prosperity that would drastically improve their livelihood. Arab women will definitely benefit from the values and institutions of safety, security, liberty, freedom, equality and transparency associated with democratic governance. Maaitah et al. conclude that ‘[o]ne fact that should be noticed in this regard is that democracy cannot be achieved in Arab countries unless women are instrumental in building their nations, and this cannot happen if women are not given their full rights’.
