Women's Rights in the Middle East

I may be naive, but I never knew that women in the Middle East had as many rights as they do. I know that sounds horrible.I guess before this class I never bothered to learn about their rights and probably would have never read this article if it wasn't assigned. But, honestly I'm glad I read it. It gave me a new perspective so to speak.
The first part that hit close to home was the education part; the "proof of unchastity" as a valid reason for expulsion.This is absolutely ridiculous! I'm studying to be a teacher, so anything related to education is very important to me. I cannot even begin to explain how wrong this is. I'm sure any girl who reads this understands what I mean. Even if a girl was seen walking with a guy, they were tested. Can you imagine if this was to happen now in the United States?! There would be a significant reduction of the student body in almost every middle and high school in America. Luckily in 2002, this was banned. Hopefully for good!
The second part that made me angry was the North and South Yemen part. I can't decide whether I feel worse for the Northern Yemen women or the Southern Yemen women. Southern Yemen women actually had a chance with the change in laws about marriage and divorce laws, but then they were taken away. I feel bad for them. But, on the other hand, you have the Northern Yemen women who see a glimmer of hope in what's happening in the south, but then quickly see what they could have had fade away again.
It's like that for many of the women in the Middle East; they see the one glimmer of hope and then see it taken away. But, fortunately, the increase in women's groups there and the changing of the attitude towards sexuality are changing what they have grown to know. Let's just hope it's more than a glimmer of hope this time.