Notebook From Senator Collins

My final responsibility at the World Economic Forum on Sunday was to deliver the opening remarks at a session entitled "Harnessing the Potential of Youth and Women." The rest of the title should have been "in the aftermath of the Arab Spring."  I discussed the link between economic prosperity and women's rights and drew contrasts between Tunisia where women have legal rights and other countries in the Arab world where they do not. As Egypt and other countries begin the process of writing constitutions and transitioning from authoritarian regimes to democracies, it will be significant if the rights of both men and women are protected.