Schools Replace ‘Housewife’ With ‘Woman of the House' in Arabic Class
Classrooms are updating language to reflect women’s roles as leaders within the home.
Schools across the United Arab Emirates are updating Arabic language lessons to emphasise the term “Sit Al Bait”, reframing traditional descriptions of women’s roles within the home.
The term, which translates to “woman of the house”, replaces more conventional wording associated with “housewife”, with educators noting that the inclusion of “Al” shifts the meaning to convey leadership and authority.
Institutions including the Arabic Language Center and UBT University in Saudi Arabia are incorporating the approach into teaching materials and classroom discussions.
Educators said the aim is not to introduce new vocabulary, but to use existing language more precisely to reflect the responsibilities and influence of women within family structures.
The shift aligns with the UAE’s Year of the Family, which focuses on strengthening family dynamics and recognising the roles individuals play within households.
Officials noted that language introduced at an early stage can shape perceptions of identity, responsibility and social roles, with updated terminology intended to better reflect contemporary realities.
Cultural initiatives have also contributed to the conversation. A campaign by L'Oréal Paris under its Women of Worth programme has generated more than 1,300 letters from women redefining how they see themselves and how they want to be perceived.
