(Cover photo by Jennifer Hayes)
Middle East (MNN/SAT7) ― U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week unveiled programs aimed at strengthening U.S. ties in the Middle East and North Africa. Parts of that focus aim at empowering repressed women there. It also dovetails neatly with the SAT-7 Christian satellite television series An Hour is Not Enough.
Program producer Julianna Sfeir says the show is very needed: "We hope to educate women in the Middle East and North Africa as to what their basic rights are when they are the heads of a household. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to educate these women."
An Hour is not Enough asks and answers direct questions: How do female heads of household cope with responsibilities that have suddenly fallen on their shoulders when they are abandoned, neglected, or lose a husband? How do they raise their children in a society that looks down upon them with shame, even if it's not their fault? What happens when a husband deserts his family? What are the rights of women, and how do they realize those rights?
SAT-7's David Harder explains: "What we're doing is airing a series of documentaries profiling the lives of a number of women, to sort of open the issue. Then this live show will be one in which people can call in, discuss, and share about their problems, and they can learn about solutions. And of course, a major solution is a spiritual solution, starting off with knowing more about Christ and His love and the hope that He provides."
Harder hopes the forum will bring healing for women in the Middle East. "It's a big issue that's been below the surface, and it hasn't been discussed openly. This show is going to be discussing it openly, and we're really hoping that it makes a difference in people's lives and that women will see that there is hope."
According to SAT-7, society often stigmatizes women who are divorced or separated or victims of other forms of social and economic hardship. The severity of the stigma is intimidating.
The first episode of An Hour is not Enough will set the tone. The hosts will discuss various issues like divorce, separation, widowhood, unemployment, inheritance, and child custody. During this 26-week series, guests tackle these social problems, because they can't be solved if no one talks about them.
In Lebanon, Voice of Charity Radio will be "simulcasting" An Hour is not Enough. See www.radiocharity.org for frequencies.
SAT-7 is a Christian television service created by and for the People of the Middle East and North Africa with U.S. headquarters in Easton, Md. SAT-7 makes Christ's message of hope available to every home in the Middle East.
