Wouldn't it have been nice if we had some women involved in the drafting of our constitution?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2012/March/middleeast_March184.xml&section=middleeast

Egypt women demand to co-write constitution (AFP)

8 March 2012

CAIRO — Hundreds of women marched through Cairo on Thursday on International Women’s Day, demanding the right to co-draft the country’s new constitution.

Since the Arab Spring uprisings that toppled dictators in the region, including Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, women now fear for their rights as Islamists reap the fruits of the revolt.

A year later, Egypt has picked a new parliament and is to write a new constitution ahead of presidential elections in May.

Women off all ages and background marched from the journalist’s syndicate to the cabinet headquarters, saying they do not want to be elbowed out of the process.

“Women’s rights are human rights!,” read some banners at the march.

[JDPriestly]

1. Yes. It would have been nice, but we women have come a long, long way.

I am grateful to all the brave men and women throughout our history who fought for human rights. I try to live up to their examples.

Thanks to the women of Egypt who are demonstrating to support efforts for women's rights and for a role for women in a modern, more democratic Egypt. Good work.

[zipplewrath]

2. They did

they just didn't get to sign it.

Many of the wives were strong characters. I'd bet they had more input than known.

[enlightenment]

3. Remembering the Ladies . . .

(note to host: this material is fair use, free of copyright):

MARCH 31, 1776
ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS

"I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.

"Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands.

"Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.

"That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up -- the harsh tide of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend.

"Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity?

"Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the (servants) of your sex; regard us then as being placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness."


APRIL 14, 1776
JOHN ADAMS TO ABIGAIL ADAMS

"As to your extraordinary code of laws, I cannot but laugh.

"We have been told that our struggle has loosened the bonds of government everywhere; that children and apprentices were disobedient; that schools and colleges were grown turbulent; that Indians slighted their guardians, and negroes grew insolent to their masters.

"But your letter was the first intimation that another tribe, more numerous and powerful than all the rest, were grown discontented.

"This is rather too coarse a compliment, but you are so saucy, I won't blot it out.

"Depend upon it, we know better than to repeal our masculine systems. Although they are in full force, you know they are little more than theory. We dare not exert our power in its full latitude. We are obliged to go fair and softly, and, in practice, you know we are the subjects.

"We have only the name of masters, and rather than give up this, which would completely subject us to the despotism of the petticoat, I hope General Washington and all our brave heroes would fight."


MAY 7, 1776
ABIGAIL ADAMS TO JOHN ADAMS

"I cannot say that I think you are very generous to the ladies; for, whilst you are proclaiming peace and good-will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives.

"But you must remember that arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken; and, notwithstanding all your wise laws and maxims, we have it in our power, not only to free ourselves, but to subdue our masters, and without violence, throw both your natural and legal authority at our feet."