WOMEN IN ISLAM, POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT PATRICE SUSOVSKA MAY 2021 ISLAM, GOVERMENT, POLITICS... • Broad scope! • Plane for today • History • Women rights in Islam • Feminism • Short case studies HISTORY! • Mary (Maryam) • Khadijah • Muhammad's first wife, successful businesswoman • Aisha • led the army of Muslims in the battle of the Camel, jusrist, scholar • Umm Salamah • Muhammad cosulted with her political matters • Sayyida Nafisa • Muhammad descendat, she taught hadith to Imam al-Shafi'i, one of the founders of the four Sunni schools of Islamic law, and at his request prayed the funeral prayer over him HISTORY! • Umar ibn al-Khattab's shifting perspective: during his caliphate, he appointed two different women, Samra b. Nuhayk and Shifa b.Abdullah, to fulfill the role of market supervisors. • Qeens of Muslim world • Fatima of Nishapur.Arwa ofYemen • And many more! As Dr. Mohammad Akram Nadwi documented 8,000 female scholars of had it h WOMEN AND ISLAM Status, rights and obigations RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS Equal education • "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim".-Ibn Majah, Book I, Hadith:224 Social status • "Heavens lie under the feet of your mother" -Ahmad, Nisai; Hadith: 34 Finances; Property and inhritance rights • Mahr Marriage • Right to choose husband, needs to agree with second wife • Nikah Figting Existance of mujahidaat: Nusayba bin Ka'ab, Safiyyah bint 'Abd al-Muttalib,Aisha bint Abu Bakr RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS Veiling • Legislation ptohobiting or limisting face veiling: Belgium, Bulgaria,Austria, France and Germany • O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Hilali and Mohamed 1983, verse 33:59-60) Head coverings worn by Muslim women Burka Full body, covers entire face, a mesh screen covers the eyes Niqab Veil tor the face; eyes remain visible Hijab Square scarf covers head and neck Chador Full-body cloak Shayla Long scarf, wrapped around the head Al-Amira Two-piece headscarf Khimar Cape-like, covering hair, neck and shoulders □□B MEN&WOMEN • Equality in the eyes of God • Relatioship to women "My parting counsel (wasiyya) to you is to treat women with kindness for verily they are your partners and committed helpers" (/amf at-Tirmidhi 3367) "The best of you are those who are best to your women." (/amf at-Tirmidhi I 162) "Treat your children equally when you give gifts.And if I were to favor anyone over another, I would favor women over men." "there is to be no harm nor reciprocating of harm." (Sunan Ibn Majah, 2341) "Do not strike the female servants of God" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2146, Sunan al-Darimi 2122 (included under "Chapter on the prohibition of hitting women") "Do not hit them and do not revile them." (Sunan Abi Dawud 2144) MEN&WOMEN But 4:34 Men are in charge of [are guardians of/are superior to/ have authority over/ are protectors and maintainers of]women (al-rijalu qawamuna'ala l-nisa') because God has endowed one with more [because God has preferred some of them over others](bi-ma fadalaAllahu ba'dahum'ala ba'din) and because they spend of their means (wa-bi-ma anfaqu min amwalihim).Therefore the righteous women are obedient [devout/virtuous](qanitat), guarding in secret that which God has guarded.As to those from whom you fear rebellion [disloyalty/ ill-conduct/ haughtiness/ desertion/ aversion](nushuzahuna), admonish them and banish them to separate beds, and beat them [go to bed with them when they are willing].Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. For God is Exalted, Great' (Qur'an verse 4:34) MEN&WOMEN • Or • „people who appoint a woman to run their affairs shall never succeed" (Al-Bukhari I422H, vol. 6,88, hadith no 4428; al-Tirmidhi 1998, vol. 4,97, hadith 2262) • Thus: „woman is not permitted to hold positions of ruling such as Khalifa (vicegerent) as Mu'awin (assistant),Wali (governor),'AmiI (Major)" (Muhibbu-Din 2019) ISLAM, GOVERMENT, POLITICS... We need to understand dichotomy of "public" and "private" spheres • Private = domestic, within the premises of house ad family • Public = social and political sphere Some scholars denounced women from public • "And stay in your house, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance" (Quran 33:33) Others claim that if she can take care of the family, there is nothing in the authentic sources of Islam that prevents her from running for political offices • But: „ Here, it must be stressed at all times that Islam considers a woman's role as a mother to be the noblest duty she can ever perform; nothing else can replace it." (Mohan 2008). Women expected to give bay'ah (allegiance) to the Caliph -> women are allowed to participate in electoral politics (Muhibbu-Din20l9) Patriarchy vs religion vs etnicity • Rejection of the idea that the Islam is primary determinant of the status and conditions of women Islamic feminism • Feminist interpretation of Islamic faith • Liberal view if Islam and attempts to adopt the religion to modern time • Patriarchal view of Islam is not necessary an "authentic Islam" • Fatima Mernissi a Azitah Al-Hibri FEMINISM II • Attempts to rethink some of traditional concepts • Musawah and project on qiwamah and wilayah • Barlas on veiling FATIMA MERNISI Moroccan sociologist Studies on sexual politics of Islamic Scripture One of the primary ways of manipulation of women was control of the physical space that women are allowed to occupy • Criticism over wester matters of sexual politics too 11 If women's rights are a problem for some modern Muslim men, it is neither because of the Quran nor the Prophet, nor the Islamic tradition, but simply because those rights conflict with the interests of a male elite" • "The Veil and the Male Elite." „Why, they ask, should the way that 10th-century Baghdad men read the Quran dictate the rights of a 21st-century woman?" Important question - what about feminism? Does it belong to Middle East? Is it just a Western concept? Do you accept Islam feminism? WOMEN'S POLITICAL ACTIVITY Case studies limitation • Data shortage • Especially on local level • Biases Women representation in parliament in Arab States: 19% Concepts of „State feminism" and it's critique • Illusion of willingness to democratize • Repression of civil society-led pushes • Beneficial only for bourgeois and upper-class women WOMEN'S POLITICAL ACTIVITY • We can categorize political activity into three types (Gibson 2014) • Political discourse and community • affiliated activities such as meetings • Political protests and demonstrations • Palestinian women in Lebanon during the civil war (75-91) and in the west bank during the first intifada • Holding public office • Women representation in parliaments • Individual vs community WOMEN'S POLITICAL ACTIVITY: BARRIERS (ESCWA 2017) Sociocultural barriers • Gender-specific roles and representation • Perception of politics as an unsafe space for women • Conservative interpretation of religion • Women in a conservative religious environment are, on average, less likely to seek to participate in politics, owing to their own preferences or those of their male relatives • Islamist parties less likely to include women on their electoral list Institutional barriers • Enduring legal discrimination • Low rates of political and economic participation for women • Gender-blind institutions and processes • Absence of an enabling environment for civil society organizations • Male dominance over political parties ARAB REGION AND NUMBERS Country Year of suffrage Lebanon 1952 Syrian Arab Republic 1949 (vote); 1953 (suffrage) Comoros 1956 Egypt 1956 Somalia 1956 Tunisia 1957 (vote in municipal elections); 1959 (suffrage) Mauritania 1961 Algeria 1962 Morocco 1963 Libya 1964 Sudan 1964 Yemen 1970 Jordan 1974 (exercised for the first time in 1989) Iraq 1980 Djibouti 1946 (vote); 1986 (suffrage) State of Palestine 1994» Oman 1997 Qatar 1999 Bahrain 2002 Kuwait 2005 United Arab Emirates 2006 Saudi Arabia 2011 (exercised for the first time in 2015) Source: http://www.ipu.Org/wmn-e/suffrage.htm#Note3 and ARAB REGION AND NUMBERS QUESTIONS FORYOU! • Do you have any experinces with the topic you wanna share? • From your travels? Family? Community? • The overall position of women - patriarchy, culture or religion? • "Which narrative surrands you? What is your bubbe eachoing about women in islam? • Is a „state feminism" the way? Why? Why not? • Are quotas the way? Why? Why not? MOROCCO Year women received right to vote: 1959 2002- 10% quota • Before two waves of women activism • 1970 -80': socio- economic advances and modernization, combined with increasing education for young women and professional opportunities for graduates • 99/00 - demands for change from population -> reforming conservative family code Post-Arab spring reforms • From 30 seats to 60 seats quota for women 2017 - highest number ever reached of women in cabinet (9 out of 39 members), although only one was a minister the remaining eight held State minister positions MOROCCO 2020 Women in parliament: 20.5% Women in ministerial position: 5.6% Unemployed: 10.23% Morocco Economy Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational attainment Health and survival Political empowerment score 0.00= imparity 1.00= parity rank j a q jntries I ^L_^ 0.605 107 1C2 2006 score 0.583 0.461 0.848 0.968 0.053 143 146 115 138 123 2020 score 0.605 0.405 0.956 0.963 0.095 ■ Morocco score - average score KUWAIT • Sunni majority, around 70%, being administrative and political elite • Since 90' protests, 2004 protesting inside the parliament hall • 2005:Women can vote; run for parliamentary and municipal offices • Survey (2002, data from 1994) older, more educated Sunnis and those who live outside of Kuwait City did not support increasing women's political rights Sunni men were significantly more supportive of women's rights than Sunni women Sunnis who belonged to volunteer organizations supported women's rights and those who sup-ported Islamic movements abroad did not Orthodox respondents firmly supported including women, but those who cherished Islamic appearance codes did not All of the Gulf War experiences negated inclusive attitudes towards women. KUWAIT 2020 Women in parliament: 4.6% Kuwait Women in ministerial position: 13.3% Unemployed: 5.84% Economy ■ Kuwait score - average score Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational attainment Health and survival Political empowerment scone 3.CO = imparity 1.00 - parity ank J aa intries I ^ ^ 0.650 105 114 2006 score 0.634 0.577 0.993 0.961 0.005 122 120 143 142 2020 score 0.650 0.589 0.997 0.961 0.053 I RAN, THE SHI A EXAMPLE • Iran - International women days is not celebrated; but the day of Prophet's daughter is • Year women received right to vote: 1963 (before regional neighbours) • Women supported Iranian revolution INETRNATIONALWOMEN DAY @) r/islam Posts ^ Posted by n/BouncyFunction 1 month ago 0 Celebrating International Women's day is Haaram. islamqa.org/hanafi... C3 Islamic Study / Article ^ 21 Comments O Give Award A Share Q Save 0 Hide P Report 34% Upvoted Iran, Islamic Rep. rank out of 153 countries score r\ 0.00 = imparity I J 1.00 = parity " IRAN 2020 Economy 2003 score 2020 score Global Gender Gap Index 10S 0.580 148 0.584 Economic participation and opportunity 113 0.359 147 0.381 Educational attainment 80 0.954 118 0.953 Health and survival 52 0.978 130 0.966 Political empowerment 109 0.G31 145 0.037 Health ■ Iran, Islamic Rep. score ■ average score IRAN 2020 Women in parliament: 19.9% Iran, Islamic Rep. Women in ministerial position: 0 Unemployed: 22.58% Economy Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational attainment Health and survival Political empowerment ■ Iran, Islamic Rap. score e score score 0.00 = imparity 1.00 = parity 'ank 1 A Q jntries I r\ 0.584 0.580 0.359 0.Q54 0.973 0.031 148 147 118 130 145 2020 score 0.584 0.381 0.953 0.966 0.037 BANGLADESH • Muslim political identity claimed 1947 • 1971 independence, new constitution, secular character • Year women revived right to vote: 2005 • Women • Barriers (2005-2014) A woman should not be concerned with a man's world. She is supposed to take care of her man's home. But nowadays it is a fashion among both men and women to talk about politics. Our women are voters now and they are also conscious about their voting power. The laws of this country are taking our women out of our homes. This is bad. What a woman is going to do with her voting power; she does not know whom she cast her vote for. It is, in fact, a man's world. He precisely knows whom he should cast his vote for. A woman chooses a candidate whom her husband suggests her to choose. Thus, a man nowadays has double voting power, one of his own and the other of his wife's, as his wife always depend on his decision and support. BANGLADESH 2020 BE LIKE... BANGLADESH 2020 BE LIKE... • Women in parliament: 20.6% • Women in ministerial position: 8% • Unemployed: 6.78% Bangladesh Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational attainment Health and survival Political empowerment 2006 score 1 0.627 7 0.423 5 0.868 3 0.958 7 0.267 2020 score 0.726 0.438 0.951 0.969 0.545 Bangladesh score - avaiagä scora SAUDI ARABIA • Reforms • Driving • Kindergartendens • Police • Reasons • Economical boost • Flattering the demographic line • But, still arresting women activists • Year women received right to vote: 2015 - \ SAUDI ARABIA 2020 • Women in parliament: 19.9% • Women in ministerial position: 0 • Unemployed: 22.58% Saudi Arabia Economy Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational attainment Health and survival Political empowerment rank out cr 153 countries ank I A £ nines I £Lrj 0.599 114 115 2006 score 0.524 0.240 0.330 0.977 0.000 146 146 139 136 2020 score 0.599 0.375 0.983 0.963 0.077 Saudi Arabia score - average score PAKISTAN • Year women received right to vote: 1947 (reaffirmed in 1956) • Raising number in female voters • Election Act 2017 - 5% for women (Sidiqa 2018) • Election Commission of Pakistan in 2017 - 10 percent of women had to vote in a constituency for the vote to be valid (Sidiqa 2018) Ten years of campaigning is finally bearing fruit for activist Naheeda Abbasi Naheeda Abbasi holds a banner which reads "The vote is your power, your future depends on it" as she explains the electoral process to the gathered women. One of the veiled women challenges her. "All our needs are honourably met. Men say we don't have to go out and get disgraced," says the woman. "With so many men hanging out at polling stations on election day, we'd be better staying at home." Naheeda Abbasi listens intently and tells her that the Election Commission will set up separate polling stations for women in conservative areas like Dhurnal. Gaffery 2018) PAKISTAN Women in parliament: 20.2% Women in ministerial position: 12% Unemployed: 4.5% Pakistan Economy ■ Pakistan score ■ average score Global Gender Gap Index Economic participation and opportunity Educational atta r™er: Health and survival Political empowerment rank cut of 153 countries score 0.03 = impart/ 1 CO = part/ *L "I 51 0.564 112 ■"I "2 37 20O6 score 0.543 0.369 0.706 C.95-0.143 151 150 143 149 9! 2020 score 0.564 0.327 0.823 0.946 0.-69 NORTH NIGERIA Figure 2: Perception of respondents on how existing political structures in their community make them feel about the other gender 200 180 160 140 120 lOO SO SO 40 20 O 174 122 59 35 7 Male Female Inferior Superior Equal NORTH NIGERIA Figure 3: Respondents' opinion on whether they can contest for any political office without criticism from the people on the basis of their gender. 250 200 150 100 50 0 Male Female 218 157 7 18 i yes no NORTH NIGERIA Figure 4: Do you think there is gender discrimination in your community? 200 150 100 50 0 Male Yes No Female NORTH NIGERIA Figure 5: Which gender is considered superior in your community? 250 200 150 100 50 0 ^1 Male Female NORTH NIGERIA Figure 6: Perception of respondents on whether their religion allows for Women participation in politics 400 300 200 100 0 287 113 i Yes No NORTH NIGERIA Figure 7: Do you think women should be allowed to participate in politics? 300 • Jaffery, Shumaila. 2018. Change in Pakistan as women seize right to vote (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44901521) • Siddiqa, Arhama. 2018.The complex state of women's suffrage in Pakistan (https://theasiadialogue.com/2018/09/17/the-complex-state-of-womens-suffrage-in-pakistan/)