"What all this means is that when it comes to the status of women in the Middle East, it's not better than you think. It's much, much worse. Even after these 'revolutions,' all is more or less considered well with the world as long as women are covered up, anchored to the home, denied the simple mobility of getting into their own cars, forced to get permission from men to travel, and unable to marry without a male guardian's blessing -- or divorce either."

Read more: Mona Eltahawy, Foreign Policy

(Note: Article contains sexual themes and terminology, and descriptions of violence.)