Women & Politics, Gender, & Sexuality in the Arab World
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Transcript of Women & Politics, Gender, & Sexuality in the Arab World
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Women & Politics, Gender, & Sexuality in the Arab World
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Religious Women’s attires
Niqab—Saudi Arabia, Yemen, elsewhere
Chador—Iran & some other Shi`a communities Burqa--Afghanistan
Hijab--Rest of MENA
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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.
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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The MENA region