Women & Politics, Gender, & Sexuality in the Arab World

Religious Women’s attires

Niqab—Saudi Arabia, Yemen, elsewhere

Chador—Iran & some other Shi`a communities Burqa--Afghanistan

Hijab--Rest of MENA

Interpretations of the Veil• Restrictive device so men can control (dominant Orientalist notion)• Indicative of class, age, ethnicity, or region (Yemen reading)• Veil as a tool of control by the state to advertise power of their belief systems

(Tunisia bans it, Kuwait 10/09 banned it… being challenged)• Expression of opposition to reduce the leverage of the occupier (ex: Algeria)• Protection from harassment and interference by others. Statement not to be

objectified. No object for consumerism.• Statement of identity, especially where Muslims are minority• Social empowerment – control over oneself. Choice.

Patriarchy• a system that privileges males and elders and justifies

this privilege in kinship terms. This gives males legal and economic power over family members.

• Extension of male dominance over women in society in general.

• Represents a gender and age hierarchy based on the household as a productive unit, has been seriously challenged in recent decades by social transformations

Patriarchal system• Public:

– Public office– Court testimony– Dress codes– Segregated work spaces– Legal limitations on movement

• Private: – Child custody– Divorce/marriage laws– Honor killings– Freedom of movement & employment

• Factors that erode foundations of patriarchy

How are women involved in political processes in MENA?

Fighters supporting national liberation or revolutionary movements

Women’s branches of political parties Members of political parties & groups Women’s organizations created in the state

institutions Participation in independent organizations

(charitable societies & NGOs)

Islamic and Secular Feminisms

• Islamic Feminism:– Movement aimed at equal rights and legal protection of

women rooted in Islamic discourse• Emphasize teachings of equality in Qu’ran, Hadith

– Engagement with Islam is necessary in societies where many laws on personal status are based on religion (shari’a)

– Increasing visibility in mass media• Secular Feminism:

– Authentic as indigenous, but often seen as imposed– Some conflict w/ Islamic feminism

• Claim of Superiority – “culture of misery” rejects Agency• “Excessive covering” vs. Material Exploitation• Ex: NOW during Gulf War

• Key Question: what are the best approaches to bring about policies of equal rights for women in Islamic states and other Muslim communities?

• The Activist’s Paradox (apologetic/complacent vs. Arab-bashing)

Readings Discussion on Sexuality

• Asad AbuKhalil• Characteristics of Present-day sexism• Persistence of Male dominance• Women missing from public space• Tolerance of homosexuality

• Bruce Dunne “sexuality in political culture”

• Dialmy – Contradictions and contraception

• Suad Joseph – the nation-state and Gender• Pre-colonial and post-colonial• Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft

The MENA region