Revolution and Women's Rights in the Arab World

Arab women have been a big factor in the Arab spring, as one Egyptian put it to the Economist magazine, "throwing stones, moving dead bodies." But, even where repressive regimes have been overthrown, the outcome may not be an increase in women's rights, partly because of the rising influence of conservative Islam. In Tunisia, it's not a matter of winning new rights but maintaining old ones. In Egypt, women in politics are associated with the hated Mubarak regime. In Libya, one victorious rebel leader promises to reinstate polygamy. We look at different prospects in different countries in a region of remarkable diversity.