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Saturday 26 May RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE

Belly dancing towards empowerment

Published on : 1 January 2011 - 9:00am | By Zainab Hammoud (Photo: RNW)
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The world is run by men and it's high time women took matters into their own hands.

That's according to Dr Kaouthar Darmouni, a lecturer in gender studies at the University of Amsterdam. To make this happen she's not giving self-defence or assertiveness training... but belly dancing lessons. Because, she says, belly dancing makes women stronger.

Dr Darmouni says her belly dancing lessons are more than just how to wiggle your hips. She says belly dancing makes women focus on their inner – not just outer – strength, as well as on a femininity that's just for the woman herself, not for the man.

According to Dr Darmouni, that's what women need. "The emancipation of the Western woman is an illusion. In the Arabic world, women know at least where they stand."

Discussion

Veena 13 August 2011 - 2:38pm

I recently joined up for belly dancing classes and I clearly understand what she is saying ... about feminine power....

user avatar
knirb 5 January 2011 - 4:15am

Empowerment....hmm...I don’t see a specific connection with belly dancing. It must be the magic buzzword that womyn need to give themselves permission to get out of those stuffy “gender studies” classes and have a little fun.

Anonymous 3 January 2011 - 12:16am

I did not understand all of what she said, but it was obvious she was very angry. I would not want to cross her. Thanks Eduard

Anonymous 3 January 2011 - 12:14am / USA

I don't know all of what she said, but it was obvious she was very angry. I would not want to cross her. Thanks Eduard

jasmin 2 January 2011 - 11:39am

I strongly support Dr Kaouthar Darmouni's views about real empowerment of women. She is right, women bark and bark and nobody listens. It is time we talk sense and regain respect as individuals having strong minds and beautiful hearts. Abuse of women as objects by men must stop. Great video of belly dancing, hope she succeeds in making belly dancing as respectful as it was in 6000 BC. Her aggression and tears are infectious.

Anonymous 2 January 2011 - 3:40am / Lalaland

Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
The sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thoughts.

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