Arab women have a long history of participating in the region 's upheavals , Zainab Salbi says . In the Arab Spring 's aftermath , there have been plans to lower the legal marriage age , support expressed for polygamy after years of being regulated , restrictions on women 's mobility and political participation , a massive increase in sexual harassment and assault on the streets with police failing to intervene , and the use of virginity tests on women arrested for participating in a demonstration , as seen in Egypt . Situation has deteriorated for many women in Mideast since Arab Spring , she says . Comment:
Arab women have a long history of participating in the region 's upheavals , Zainab Salbi says . Situation has deteriorated for many women in Mideast since Arab Spring , she says . Comment: