Reply #46: I'm worried that Egyptian women are already tacitly agreeing to "subservient" roles.

[riderinthestorm]

I'm worried that the women of Egypt, by NOT appearing in force, indicates to the religious fundamentalist fringe groups waiting to seize power, that the women of Egypt ARE subservient - and thus are marginalized like in Iran. If they aren't seen as part of the change, they will not be accorded any power in the change.

Unseen women, invisible women, women shrouded in burkhas tend to be accorded second class status. I have deep unease. My experience with Muslim women leads me to believe that they aren't the most ferocious advocates for their rights. Oh sure, there are those few who were stalwart, but the vast majority acquiesce and I fear for the them. Neda was a powerful woman, with a powerful image in her death. But ultimately, her voice wasn't "powerful" enough because other women didn't immediately jump out to protest her singular death (I'm not talking about female pundits, I mean the masses of women who could/would/should have cried out in vengeance).

Power vacuums (and I believe that's a reasonable expectation WHEN Mubarrek steps down) tend to favor those who have the most insistent voices and powerful presence. Women who are invisible will not be factored in.