Paul Calvert talks to Madleine Sara, professor at Bethlehem Bible College, about founding A Pot In His Hand Ministries, and the challenges facing women in Arab culture.

Paul: Is society open for women leaders?

Madleine: No not that much. This is a good question. My thesis, my doctorate, my dissertation, which I am working on now, it's actually called towards women leaders in the Palestinian church.

It's different now. I could say we are more open now than we used to be 10 years ago, but I feel there is something that needs to be changed.

This is maybe another reason why this ministry is unique, because I want to see more of these women taking their place and their role, understanding that God has created them for a special reason.

It's about time that we rise up and do something. I do not diminish or undervalue being a wife or caring for the children, I do not undervalue that, but I do believe other than these things there is a calling for everyone, each and every woman created on this universe.

Paul: Are opportunities for women in Arab society limited?

Madleine: Yes definitely, it is limited. We see the male rising up on the ladder in different professions, in politics, society and even the Church, and then when we try to investigate what doors are open for women we do notice that there are less.

Paul: Arab society is mainly a man's world, but are women the glue that holds everything together?

Madleine: I'm not like a feminist. I'm not in the feminist movement and this is not my aim at all, but I believe it's about time that we find ways, and create new ways of how men and women could work together. Because of our culture women are more segregated even in work places and even at church, so I want to see that we will learn, and maybe think of new ways of how to work together.

I also want to find male leaders that really believe in women and believe that it's about time that something should be changed.

Women have a great effect on society as wives and as mothers and as colleagues in work, and we have something to offer, which I think society is still missing because of this marginalisation we are still facing.

Paul: Women have lots of influence on the family, how easy is it to bring peace to the Arab home when there are lots of influences in society?

Madleine: This really is a challenge, but one of the things that I believe is that when women start getting out from their houses and invest in themselves, being more educated, going to workshops or getting a diploma, I think leaving the house and creating a space for the woman to find herself outside of cleaning and raising the kids and doing the cooking will affect the next generation of the Palestinian society, the Arab society.

I think this is where we should be concentrating and focusing; developing these women.