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In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Belgian organization that brought equality for women farm workers, Princess Mathilde visited three farms in the West Flanders region of the country. She was invited to those farms because the women’s organization, KVLV, to show her the gender equality at those places.
 View gallery of Princess Mathilde at the farms at Zimbio.com The first farm Mathilde saw was a hop house run by the Desmyter family in Poperinge. There, she was briefed on how hops are grown and how they are dried. She also learned about hop shoots, and the difference between aromatic smell and bitter hops. Mathilde was so interested in what she was learning, she spent 20 minutes overtime.
Later, the Princess went to see a rhubarb farm owned by the Louwagie family in Alveringem.
Finally, Mathilde stopped by a dairy farm in Veurne run by the Dequeecker family. Anne-Marie Dequeecker told reporters that Her Royal Highness showed visible interest in how her farm was operated and what they produced. “The princess was very interested in the life of the women she met. I’m glad I was able to show her a lot, but I am also aware that there are many women who work in the shadow of the company and will never be seen.”
To see video of the Princess in Poperinge – and her speaking Dutch - click here.
Source: Knack.be, Landbouwleven
An historic announcement came Sunday for Saudi Arabia – its female citizens will be granted the right to vote for its next elections in 2015. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud also is allowing women to run for local office and serve on the Shura Council, his advisory board.
 View more images at Daylife.com He made the announcement to the Shura Council, saying, “Because we refuse to marginalize women in society in all roles that comply with sharia [Islamic law], we have decided … to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from the next term.”
“Balanced modernization, which falls within our Islamic values, is an important demand in an era where there is no place for defeatist or hesitant people,” he said.
“Muslim women in our Islamic history have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice.”
While many are applauding the King’s latest move to breakaway from the ultra-conservative ways of Saudi Arabia, there are some who are not pleased. Firstly, there are conservatives who disagree with this decree.
There are also women who disappointed that they cannot vote in this week’s elections, and will have to wait four years.
“Why not tomorrow?” asked prominent Saudi feminist Wajeha al-Hawaidar. “I think the King doesn’t want to shake the country, but we look around us and we think it is a shame … when we are still pondering how to meet simple women’s rights.”
Although King Abdullah has advanced women’s status in the desert kingdom since his reign began in 2005, women still cannot drive, can be flogged for adultery, and must be accompanied by a male relative when in public, often with their faces veiled.
But still, the King has built the first co-educational university in the country, and granted 120,000 scholarships for students, many of them female, to study abroad. The only problem with the latter is that the women have to have the permission of a male guardian to travel outside of Saudi Arabia.
Lubna Hussain, a Saudi writer had this to say about today’s decree: “The King is implementing the reform promises he made when he became leader. It shows he is not willing to pander to religious fundamentalists … who are quite weakened and don’t seem to have the voice they used to.”
However, those fundamentalists may not be weakened for long. King Abdullah is ailing at 87 years old, and some of those in line to the Saudi monarchy sympathize with the conservative Wahhabi clerics. Prince Nayif bin Abdulaziz, the interior minister, who is believed to be second in line behind Crown Prince Sultan, is one of them.
Overall, some Saudis see the grant for women to vote as sort of ironic.
“It’s a mixed feeling. On one hand he opens the door for her and on the other hand she is still banned from driving,” said Mohammad Fahad Qahtani, a college professor and human rights advocate. “It doesn’t save her from horrible treatment by government agencies and the courts. It’s a symbolic gesture, but it is in no way enough to improve the lives of women.”
Sources: AP, Los Angeles Times
The aunt of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was laid to rest Monday, following her death Sunday at the age of 81. Princess Lalla Aicha, who was the sister of the late King Hassan II, father of the current monarch, was the first Arab female ambassador when her brother appointed her as one to the U.K. in 1965.
 Click here to learn more Born on June 17, 1930 in Rabat, Lalla Aicha was the eldest daughter of the late King Mohammad V and Lalla Abla Bint Tahar. Early on, she was a pioneer for women’s rights in Morocco. In 1947, she gave a speech in Tangiers demanding voting rights for women.
As for her role as ambassador, she served as the Moroccan ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1969. She later represented her country in Greece from 1969 to 1970, and then Italy from 1970 to 1973. Lalla Aicha was also active in the Red Cresent Society.
The Princess was remembered by many former diplomats in Morocco as someone who showed the country needed both men and women for empowerment.
She is also remembered for embodying “the progress of Moroccan women, in that it considered the first hijab as an act of modesty,” said Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi.
Lalla Aicha’s funeral was held within 24 hours, in accordance to Islamic practices, at the Ahl Fès mosque. She is buried at the Moulay El Hassan Mausoleum at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
She is survived by her two daughters, Lalla Zubaida and Lalla Nufissa, from first husband Moulay Hassan Al-Yaqubi.
Sources: Gulf News, All Africa, Maghreb Arabe Presse, Royal Forums Blog
Dutch Princess Maxima was in Alkmaar in northern Netherlands Tuesday to open the Orange Huis, or Orange House. It is intended be a home for victims of domestic violence. At this place, though, the victims can keep in touch with their partners and families and the House’s address is not a secret.
 Click here to see more images Maxima cut the orange ribbon set around a cardboard model of the shelter to officially open it. She then met with the caregivers of the House to learn about how it intends to help the victims who will one day use it.
The shelter includes nine rooms for assisted care along with three emergency beds for acute care.
Managing director Aleid van den Brink of the Foundation Stay Group told reporters that the concept is not to flee the violence, but to withdraw from it.
“Not only the victims receive support, the perpetrators are involved in the aid process,” he explained. “The goal is not necessarily to stop relationships. But you do not hide, you talk. And if the strike does happen, then people have come to the right place.”
This concept was tested over the last two years. In 2010, it helped 100 women and 140 children.
Source: Metro Nederlands
 Stella Pictures Sweden’s Princess Madeleine spent Tuesday at the United Nations for a seminar on women’s issues called Status of Women 2011. She was with the head of the Swedish delegation for the women’s commission, Nyamko Sabuni.
The Princess listened as Sabuni talked about the problems facing young girls in the world, particularly child marriage.
“Child marriage is one of the greatest obstacles to girls attending school. In my speech, I would urge world leaders to actively work to prevent child marriages,” Sabuni told reporters before the seminar.
A large number of ministers plus more than 3500 delegates, including from NGOs from around the world, will participate in Women’s Commission’s 55th session in New York. The Equality Summit is going from February 22 to March 4.
Source: Svensk Damtidning, Utbildningsdepartementet
 Infofoto On Sunday, the Queen of Brunei presided over a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Girls Guide Association, a volunteer organization.
Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam – or simply Queen Saleha – was with three other princesses: her two daughters, Princess Hajah Rashidah, president of Girls Guide, and Princess Hajah Majeedah. The occasion took place at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex.
Speeches were given and there some performances for the ceremony, some of which including Saleha’s granddaughter Hariisah.
The Queen spoke to the attendants, telling them to further improve Girls Guide’s quality by playing active role in carrying out the Association’s projects.
Founded in 1950, Girls Guide is one of Brunei’s largest volunteer organizations, with nearly 2,000 girls nationwide involved.
Source: Radio Brunei
The daughter of the Saudi Arabian king attended the first day of the Forum on the Participation of Women in National Development Monday, where she both praised women’s achievements in the ultra-conservative country and warned that still more needed to be done.
“The participation of women in social development in developing countries is still not clear. Women face many challenges at work because of tradition,” said Princess Adela bint Abdullah.
She went on to point out the number of women participating in the Saudi workplace. Nearly a quarter of million are teachers. They are now entering new fields like engineering and are becoming lawyers. They also hold key positions in health, science and research. In addition, Saudi women are holding important diplomatic positions in Canada and the United States. They represent the Kingdom when meeting with international delegations.
There are 51,000 women employees in the private sector and women own 12 percent of Saudi companies. Over SR100 billion is in the hands of women in the domestic market.
“Despite this, women’s participation is below expectations. A society cannot walk with a limp,” Princess Adela said, adding that media awareness is badly needed to highlight the issue of women’s participation in society to increase acceptance.
“There is urgent need for Saudi Arabia to diversify its activities and to balance economic growth with population growth. With 25 percent of the Saudi society financially helping the other 75 percent, this demonstrates the need for a greater role for women in social development,” the Princess told Arab News.
“Women are needed in all fields without any exception, as long as they are qualified. We cannot blame men for isolating women from key jobs and accuse them of standing in women’s way. If women were not qualified enough, no one will support them.”
Source: Arab News
During Monday’s annual Women: Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium (WIE) conference, Jordanian Queen Rania accepted a leadership award given to her by Sarah Brown, the wife of the former British prime minister.
 Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images The award was given to the Queen for her work for women and girls’ rights throughout the world.
Accepting the award, she thanked organizers saying that they managed to gather “some of the most impressive women in the world, from politics and media, to philanthropy and the arts.”
“Women in this room are redefining their industries as leaders of today and tomorrow,” Rania said.
During her acceptance remarks, the Queen also stressed the importance of collaborative work to promote the rights of girls and women; saying: “it’s together you’re reshaping the lives of women around the world, too. Under the White Ribbon Alliance, women in over 140 countries are living longer, healthier lives; proof that, united, women can be an unstoppable force for good.”
The White Ribbon Alliance is an organization that promotes increased awareness of maternal mortality statistics, and the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women.
The Women: Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium conference is in its 5th year, and coincides with the annual UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative. It is run by Queen Rania, Sarah Brown, journalist Arianna Huffington and fashion designer Donna Karan.
Source: Middle East Online
 Maghreb Arabe Presse The King of Morocco was in Casablanca Wednesday to inaugurate a drop-in support center for female victims of violence. The facility is part of King Mohammed VI’s agenda to make women’s issues as important as men’s.
The support center, which cost 6 million dirhams, or $693,000, includes a library, a reception area, a multipurpose hall, workshops, an infirmary, a hosting space, a kitchen and other outbuildings.
It will give legal assistance and psychological support for the women.
The facility is part of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH).
Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse
King Mohammed VI’s sister, Princess Lalla Meryem, received an award from the World Women Leaders Association in Paris Thursday evening. The Princess won the prize for her work on womens’ issues in her country, Morocco.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse “Such a distinction is all the more important as it is granted, as today, to a country from the South,” Princess Lalla Meryem said.
Simone Veil, former speaker of the European Parliament and member of the Académie Française, personally handed Lalla Meryem the award after Nicole Barbin, the association’s chairwoman paid tribute to her.
“In all areas, the struggle of women is part of their condition, but there is one in which they invest their energy, imagination and affection. It is the education of children who tomorrow will support a changing world, “the Princess said in her acceptance speech.
“Be assured, ladies and gentlemen, that this trophy is now presented to me through my person, is dedicated to all those in our country are convinced that the world we want for our children is a world of peace , tolerance and dialogue in respect for differences and similarities of the statement.”
Lalla Meryem won the award over many other distinguished women, some of whom were once presented with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest decoration.
The Association was founded in 2000 “to highlight the women of responsibility and solidarity to promote the role and impact of women in society in order to boost the value of complementarity between men and women can strive for a harmonious mix of powers.”
Sources: Maghreb Arabe Presse, La Matin
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