Actually, I have heard Western women journalists and other female scholars who have traveled in the Middle East describe their status (in the eyes of their hosts) as that of an "honorary man."
By elevating them to the level of a man, they could interact with them on a professional level (meet with them , hold extended discussions on serious matters, etc.); something they would never do with local women, no matter how well educated.
Just another example of the Middle Eastern "let's pretend to be modern and urbane" game.
Yes I have witnessed that having lived in Egypt. Just poking fun at Albright.
"Actually, I have heard Western women journalists and other female scholars who have traveled in the Middle East describe their status (in the eyes of their hosts) as that of an 'honorary man.'
"By elevating them to the level of a man, they could interact with them on a professional level (meet with them , hold extended discussions on serious matters, etc.); something they would never do with local women, no matter how well educated."
The first female Prime Minister in Britain, Margaret Thatcher, was also made an "honorary man" to be able to join the Carlton Club, a conservative gentleman's club in her country.
I think the left wing feminists take that pursuit literally, wanting to be seen by men as menlike. But if everyone becomes a guy, that's not very diverse, is it ;-)