The Recommendations of the International Conference on Population and Development: The Possibility of the Empowerment of Women in Egypt

The author considers the impact, for Egyptian women, of the compromise clause included in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) program of action that provides for "full respect for the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of the signatory countries". The article begins by describing the recommendations of the ICPD. The author then discusses Islamic notions of women's role in society and illustrates how these views of women are reflected in Egyptian society. Then, the author considers the Islamic influence on Egyptian law and outlines past Egyptian attempts to achieve equality. The author concludes that "if Egypt fulfills the program without reconceptualizing its religious and cultural traditions, Egyptian women will remain unempowered and unable to assert control over their reproductive potential."