ODEC 9400 - Women Participation in Constitution Making: Case Studies from the Middle East

This master course explores the roles and impacts of women in the constitution-making processes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region), with a particular focus on the countries that experienced the Arab uprisings in 2011, which led to new constitutions or constitutional amendments. The course evaluates the drafting processes, the extent of women's involvement, and the outcomes concerning gender equality. It also addresses the challenges women face in these roles and provides a comparative analysis to derive practical insights. Students will investigate the historical and political context of women's participation in the Middle East, analyzing specific case studies such as Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Morocco, and Lebanon, among others. The course will examine the gendered procedures and representation within constitution-making bodies, assessing the outcomes for women's equality in recent constitutional reforms. The challenges and obstacles faced by women constitution-makers, such as symbolism, tokenism, and institutional biases, will be a key focus. The course will also look at the complexities of constitution-making, considering social norms, limited access, and the political ability to reform or change in the region. Through a comparative perspective, students will gain practical insights and strategies to enhance women's influence in future constitution-making processes.

Lecture Format:
Students are expected to read the "key readings" assigned each week before the class session. Each 2-hour class will consist of approximately:
80-90 minutes of lecture: The lecture will cover the key topics, concepts, and case studies, providing a comprehensive overview and critical analysis.
30-40 minutes of seminar: The seminar component will involve interactive discussions and debates based on the key readings and lecture content. In selected lectures, the class will have a guest speaker online where students can discuss the key readings with the guest speaker.

Each lecture will have key readings as well as additional recommended readings. Students are expected to complete the key readings before each lecture. In some sessions, the class will have guest speakers whose work has been included in the key readings. These sessions will give students the chance to engage directly with the authors. Examples of the key readings are as follows:

Sanaa ALSARGHALI

Séminaire

English

Learning outcomes: Learning outcomes: Learning outcomes:

• Understand the Role of Women in Constitution-Making: Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the importance of women's participation in constitution-making processes, with a focus on both historical and contemporary examples in the MENA region.
• Analyze Case Studies from MENA-Arab Countries: Students will evaluate specific case studies from Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon among others, analyzing the levels of women's involvement in constitutional drafting and their impact on gender equality outcomes.
• Assess Challenges and Barriers: Students will identify and analyze the challenges women face in constitution-making, including issues like symbolism, tokenism, and institutional biases, and will learn to critically assess these obstacles within specific political and social contexts.
• Examine Gendered Procedures and Representation: Students will study the gendered dimensions of constitution-making bodies and procedures, understanding how these structures affect women's ability to contribute meaningfully to constitutional reforms.
• Develop Comparative Analytical Skills: Through a comparative approach, students will learn to draw practical insights from different MENA countries, helping them to identify best practices and challenges across varying political systems.
• Explore the Influence of Social Norms and Political Realities: Students will analyze how social norms, political dynamics, and institutional frameworks either support or hinder women's involvement in constitution-making processes in the region.
• Formulate Strategies for Enhancing Women's Participation: By the end of the course, students will be able to propose strategies and practical solutions to improve the influence and representation of women in future constitution-making processes in the MENA region.

Autumn 2024-2025

Assessment:
1- Students' Participation in the Class (10%)
• Active engagement in lectures and group activities.
• Contribution to discussions and responding to questions.

2- Students' Discussions in the Roundtables (25%)
• Quality and depth of arguments presented during the roundtable discussions.
• Collaboration and teamwork in group discussions.
• Thoughtful questioning and interaction with peers and guests.
• Ability to critically engage with the subject matter in a clear and organized manner.

3- End of term Essay (65%)
The essay must be between 2,000 to 2,500 words in length and should not exceed 2,500 words. You will have the option to choose from essay questions.

Explanation on Students' Discussions in the Roundtables

Round Table 1: A Conversation with “Women in Constitution Making from the MENA Region”
Moderator: Sharon Hickey -IDEA International
In this session, students will engage in a roundtable discussion with women involved in the constitution-making processes in the MENA region. Each student will prepare two questions, which will serve as part of their evaluation, and they will have the opportunity to participate in a live conversation with one of the four constitution drafters. The evaluation will be based on the relevance and depth of the questions posed by the students, encouraging critical engagement with the challenges and opportunities women face in these processes.
Countries: Syria, Palestine, Tunisia, and Egypt.
Each group will have 20-25 minutes to engage with the drafter regarding their chosen country.
For the chosen country, students should review the assigned readings provided in the course materials. To prepare for the questions for both roundtables, they must use the publication International IDEA (2016), Constitution Assessment for Women's Equality. Available at: https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/constitution-assessment-for-womens-equality.pdf

Roundtable 2: A Conversation with “Women in Constitution Making from MENA Civil Society Actors”
In this roundtable discussion, students will explore the role of civil society in constitution-making with actors from four selected countries. The first part of the session will involve questioning the speakers, with students using their assigned readings to inform their questions and discussions. During the second hour, students will present brief evaluations of the constitutions of Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Syria, applying three analytical tools from the IDEA International publications assigned for assessment. This exercise is designed to deepen students' understanding of civil society's influence on constitutional reforms and its role in promoting gender equality.