Week 9 Part II: Middle East Politics and Gender Issues PDF

Middle East Politics Gender Issues Fish on Islam and Authoritarianism Overall results: ○ Increased levels in women’s literacy, numbers in government, and empowerment seems to increase democracy scores. ○ So, the status and treatment of women affects political regime. ○ So,...

Middle East Politics Gender Issues Fish on Islam and Authoritarianism Overall results: ○ Increased levels in women’s literacy, numbers in government, and empowerment seems to increase democracy scores. ○ So, the status and treatment of women affects political regime. ○ So, oppression and subjugation of women seems to decrease democracy levels. ○ This might be one reason why predominantly Islamic countries are more prone to authoritarianism. But… ○ Does that mean Islam is the cause of female subjugation? Gender Not a fixed biological notion of sex The “appropriate” social and cultural roles that society values as normal or desirable Since patriarchy has been institutionalizing the legal, economic, and sexual subordination of women throughout history, we usually think of gender issues as women’s issues. ○ And who can blame us? Gender Gap in Islamic Societies Remember from last time’s discussion: ○ Islamic societies’ low democracy scores might be a result of their subjugation of women. ○ An increased gender gap leads to more authoritarianism. So, is there an undeniable connection between Islam as a religion and subjugation of women? Women’s rights in the pre-Islamic Middle East In pre-Islamic Arabia, often referred to as the Jahiliyyah (Age of Ignorance), women generally had limited to no rights and were subject to patriarchal customs. ○ (Some famous female names such as Wahida, Saniya, Rabia, simply mean the first, second, fourth…) Limited Legal Rights: ○ Women had restricted inheritance rights, and marriages were often arranged with little say from the bride. Polygamy and Divorce: ○ Men could have multiple wives and easily divorce, while women’s ability to leave marriages was restricted. Infanticide: ○ Some tribes practiced female infanticide due to economic pressures or the belief that girls were a burden (especially until the first son is born). Changes that came with Islam Considering the context in which Islam appeared as a religion, the changes it offered were unprecedented at the time. Inheritance Rights: ○ The Quran introduced inheritance rights for women, allowing them to receive a share of family wealth. Marriage and Divorce: ○ Islam emphasized mutual consent in marriage and limited polygamy to four wives, provided they are treated equally. Women were also given the right to initiate divorce. Protection from Infanticide: ○ The Quran explicitly condemned female infanticide, valuing the lives of daughters and ending this practice. An important question to ask Was this a beginning of a progressive approach to the rights of women in Islamic communities, or the end point? Remember how Sharia laws were made: ○ It’s only a small portion of Quran ○ Most of them are based on the interpretations of Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith ○ So… who does the interpretation and according to what? This is the point that allowed the emergence of a more ‘modernist’ or ‘reformist’ interpretations Traditionalist approaches Traditional scholars emphasize gender complementarity, where men are responsible for financial provision and public leadership, while women focus on domestic roles like family and child-rearing. They interpret Islamic law (Sharia) to restrict women’s participation in leadership. ○ Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Ghazali were influential in shaping these views. They argued that women’s involvement in public life should remain minimal, reflecting the sociopolitical realities of their time. Critique: ○ Critics argue that such interpretations reflect cultural customs rather than strict religious mandates, limiting women’s opportunities. Example: ○ In Saudi Arabia until recently, women faced restrictions in public life, including driving. Modernist and reformist approaches Reformists argue that early Islamic history provides evidence of women’s participation in public affairs. They advocate for reinterpreting Islamic texts to reflect gender equality. For example, they highlight Khadijah, a successful businesswoman and wife of the Prophet Muhammad, and Aisha, a key figure in religious scholarship and political events after Muhammad’s death. ○ Fatima Mernissi challenged patriarchal interpretations of Hadith that limit women’s roles, while Amina Wadud reinterpreted Qur’anic verses to emphasize gender justice and inclusion in both political and economic life. Critique: ○ Traditional scholars argue that these interpretations depart from classical jurisprudence and are shaped by Western feminist thought. Example: ○ In Turkey, Muslim women have (and push for more) social, economic, and political rights. ○ In Tunisia, reforms following the Arab Spring increased women’s political participation, reflecting reformist ideas. Islamist approaches Islamist thinkers promote limited women’s participation in public life, based on the premise that Sharia principles should govern society. They argue that women can engage in politics and the economy if they maintain modesty and prioritize family roles. This approach allows women’s involvement in social and religious causes, but not necessarily in leadership roles that require unrestricted public engagement. ○ Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood support women’s activism, but within a framework that aligns with their interpretation of Islamic law. Critique: ○ Critics argue that these movements selectively use religious texts to justify the exclusion of women from key political leadership roles, while still benefiting from their activism in other areas. Example: ○ In Egypt, women played a significant role in the Muslim Brotherhood’s outreach programs, though the movement restricted their leadership within the organization. Peculiar to the Middle East? These questions are obviously a part of gender gap in the Middle East. But can we say that they are substantially different from other parts and histories of the world? Or, is the Middle East another example of progress that is in a different time period? Traditionalist Islamic View vs. Pre-Industrial West Islamic Context: ○ Traditional Islamic scholars emphasized that women’s primary roles are as mothers and caregivers, discouraging public leadership. Women’s participation in business was allowed (e.g., Khadijah, wife of the Prophet Muhammad), but they were generally excluded from political life. Western Context: ○ In Europe and the U.S. before the Industrial Revolution, women were confined to domestic roles. Laws like coverture in Britain (up until the late 19th century) denied women the right to own property or engage in public decision-making. Example: ○ In Saudi Arabia, restrictions on women’s mobility persisted until recent reforms (e.g., the 2018 lifting of the driving ban), echoing early Western norms where women were excluded from public life until suffrage movements began. Modernist Islamic Reformists vs. Western Feminism Islamic Context: ○ Reformists argue that the early Islamic tradition allowed for women’s economic and public involvement (e.g., Aisha’s participation in public debates). They push for reinterpreting religious texts to restore these roles in modern times. Western Context: ○ The first-wave feminist movement (19th-early 20th century) fought for legal equality, such as the right to vote (achieved in the U.S. in 1920). Second-wave feminism (1960s-70s) further advanced gender equality by focusing on workplace equality, reproductive rights, and legal reforms. Example: ○ In Tunisia, following the 2011 Arab Spring, gender equality became a key issue, with women participating in elections and reforms introduced to advance women’s rights. This mirrors second-wave feminist goals in the West. Islamist Approach vs. Conservative Western Movements Islamic Context: ○ Islamist movements like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood accept women’s involvement in social activism but emphasize family values and modesty. They discourage women from assuming top political leadership but encourage them to participate in religious and charitable work. Western Context: ○ Conservative movements in the U.S. and Europe promote family-centered roles for women. For example, Phyllis Schlafly opposed the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, arguing that women should focus on their roles as mothers and wives. Example: ○ In Egypt, women in the Muslim Brotherhood played a significant role in community outreach and mobilization but were excluded from leadership positions. Key Differences: Religion and Secularism Islamic World: ○ In Islamic debates, the focus is on balancing modernity with religious principles. Scholars argue about how to interpret Sharia to allow for women’s participation in public life. Western World: ○ In the West, secularism separates religion from governance, enabling legal reforms like abortion rights and equal pay laws to emerge without religious constraints. Example: ○ France’s ban on headscarves in public schools reflects a strict secular approach, contrasting with Tunisia, where women’s participation in politics was framed as part of their Islamic rights. Some more statistics… Leopold, Ratcheva, and Zahidi made an interesting claim in the 2017 Global Gender Gap report: ○ What does that mean? Inclusion of women: Why? Countries in the Middle East are offering a faster process of inclusion of women than the US. But why? Let’s watch the following video and talk about what it implies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5L297mtAFQ Inclusion of women: Why? Economic development and diversification ○ Boosting economic productivity Globalization and international pressure ○ Compliance with international norms → aid and investment Political stability and modernization ○ Reducing social tensions Changing social norms and demographics ○ Education + urbanization = More women for employment Women’s activism and civil society movements ○ Women’s participation in revolutions and political protests Regional competition and reputation building ○ Boost international image → Attract investment, tourism, goodwill Food for Thought Overall, the factors that required giving more rights to women in other parts of the world seem to be in motion in the Middle East, also. This makes the particular impact of religion (which is open to interpretation) on restricting women’s rights questionable. The speed women’s rights have been improved in the Middle East is faster than some Western countries. Would this tell us anything about other gender issues, like LGBT rights?