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

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

2. Religious Women’s attires Niqab—Saudi Arabia, Yemen, elsewhere Hijab--Rest of MENA Chador—Iran & some other Shi`a communities Burqa--Afghanistan

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Islamic and Secular Feminisms • 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) • 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

8. Readings Discussion on Sexuality • AsadAbuKhalil • 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

9. The MENA region