Keywords
faith
gender
human rights
sexuality
Ummah
Wahabi
How to Cite
Abstract
Given recent changes in the political leadership of Muslim societies, it can be difficult to follow who got which hand on women’s issues, let alone just how women’s issues figure in political speeches from the Liberal to the most conservative. Meanwhile, when it comes to the laws and regulations on women’s issues, not much has been done to empower women to decide what is best for them. It’s only an appealing matter to discuss more or less, depending on the political need, while recent reports describe the city of Cairo as one of the least safe cities for women. Following the Arab Spring, which pushed many to reconsider the fight for democracy and human rights, socio-economic conditions have been worsening for both men and women, with those in the latter category suffering the most. We may find it challenging to track improvements in the area of women’s rights as long as the same old-new religious speech calls on women to keep their faith and patience for God’s sake, for a better future for their body, and for the dignity of their mind and soul. This paper discusses the current status of women’s rights in Muslim societies and how policy processes are informed by religious justification.
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