REFLECTIONS

Rehabilitation Centre for Men in Egypt:
A Step Prior to Women’s Political Rehabilitation Program

By Hala Elbanna, MA

The Aim:

The centre offers a variety of services, a means whereby men are informed correctly about the needs and benefits of sharing with women a life, social, intellectual and political. Nothing can be guaranteed or expected from women who are marginalized in their homes!

How can one ask of women to participate in the political life, elections and parliament, to vote and represent as an active member when man is so domineering and listens only to his voice?

The small scale of family can later project to the wider and bigger scale of country. The call for man to step down his high tower and share his life on that small scale of family will automatically boost women’s moral to offer help outside her home as she is encouraged, respected and honored, rather than humiliated, looked down upon or even taken lightly.

Nowadays, men proved to be missing in a lot of families and women are taking over double responsibility, burdened trying to make a living and provide for their children, how can we ask of them to share in the political life!

Men’s view towards women has to change. It’s an education and an upbringing. Man has to train to share, train to value and train to confess that women are their shareholders, not subordinates. The essence of partnership is the only aspect that would guarantee success. Just as women should not be a threat to men, men should not be a threat to women. Both Men and women should be a source of power and support for each other. They should join forces and work together for the welfare of their homes, family and society. Not runaway, ignore and be indifferent towards their families.

The danger that lies behind empowering one gender over another, rather than both genders guarantees a great imbalance in society and finally, chaos. So, the one and only successful equation is that of mutual respect and participation leading to mutual benefit.

Men thus, have to stop dictating women the shoulds and should nots. Men have to stop planning for women their lives. Men have to realize that women have identities like themselves. Men have to stop dealing with women as a product that needs marketing.

The media played a wonderful role in The 2005 Egyptian Elections in trying to make believe a state, projecting the female political image on screen, T.V., that unfortunately does not exist, not because we have no wonderful and intellectual female political figures around, but simply because it is man who once again wants to play the role of a democrat while reality holds something else!

The media has for so long played the image of females as dancers, singers and advertising for products. The female body has been abused and treated as a product for entertainment, no more than that. Now, what a shift! From entertainment and light to serious and political with a view to be taken into consideration while planning strategies!

The audience is perplexed. The female political image hoped for in future can never be realized with that counter image of the marginal Candy Barbie on T.V. The audience needs to be given some credit. Is their an honest aim for men to empower their equals, women in all various aspects and fields of life? This would be a direct message to how much the Egyptians value and respect their women. The majority of women in the Egyptian society have suffered from men’s monopoly. Men need to change this marginal behavior towards women. Men’s psychological, social and political welfare and awareness will automatically breed female political figures to be proud of, women who are confident in men and in themselves.

The message then is what?

Do men really want women to share their lives with its various aspects, or are women expected to pose in front of the camera as politicians only to show that men don’t mind them there or make believe that see, we here men are encouraging women to share in the political life. So, we are sophisticated, broadminded and intellectual. We hold no grudges towards the other sex.

PROGRAM OUTLINE:

1. Introduction:

It offers a brief definition of the Healthy Relationship, taking into consideration the other, she, the spouse, partner, mother, sister and daughter. Mutual feeling of respect is emphasized.

2. Orientation:

During the years man was so centered on one idea himself, neglecting, margining, lessening, even ignoring what women need, want or even think regarding various issues of daily importance. The ultimate concern was what he needs, what he wants, what he thinks and that’s that. Man had no time to waste from his point of view regarding what women’s voice is concerned. Now, the time has come to make men listen and not see that as waste, but simply this is being wise.

Any partnership can be successful only if certain basic elements are present. To start with, the partners themselves should have total respect for each other and approve of each others’ logic this is the base of any relation. I can’t get into a project with the idea that my partner is crazy and I’m gonna be Boss.

3. Theory:

Men will study highly advanced techniques and strategies fostering terms like sharing, believing, encouraging, participating and helping that guarantee them ultimate satisfaction in their relationships avoiding communication break-downs and misinterpretation.

4. Application:

Men are expected to apply those techniques and strategies through different scenarios in light of modern theory in an attempt to achieve successful, unexpected results! Ongoing communication channels are the means to better understanding. These strategies are expected to be applied in live families to emphasize the value behind awareness in various fields.

Rehabilitation courses are condensed taking into consideration the uptight schedule of men. The centre will offer certificates and incentives to candidates encouraging them to spread those teachings around for more participants to join and thus help establish a force in society moving for a common goal, the psychological, social, economic and thus political welfare of the citizen, society and country.

Let’s Join Hands

Arab men in general,

Egyptian men in particular

Have a major role to play

When it comes to the welfare of

Family, Society and Country.

Only through their continuous efforts and trials

Rehabilitation and awareness

Can they project a true positive image,

A model to pursue.

They shall reach out for their partners, women

Join hands, respect, and share in all fields,

Psychological, social, economic and political

And that’s how life prospers.

So, in a nut shell

Men’s rehabilitation and support guarantees

Women’s awareness in various fields.

Ms. Hala Elbanna, the winner of the International Poets award is an international correspondent for The Ambassadors Magazine. She is the author of three new poetry books: Men & Women with Broken Hearts: A guideline to prevention and treatment, Reflections: A collection of poems and Violin Man. Her email is dalou@excite.com.