Middle East Muslim Women Fight for Mobility

Op-Ed by Emily Thompson

Many Middle East and North African countries still prevent women from moving freely in their own country or traveling abroad without the permission of a male guardian, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released this week. The 119-page report, “Trapped: How Male Guardianship Policies Restrict Women’s Travel and Mobility in the Middle East and North Africa,” says that although women’s rights activists have succeeded in securing women’s increased freedoms in many countries in the region, old and new restrictions require women to seek permission from their male guardian – typically their father, brother, or husband – to move within their country, obtain a passport, or travel abroad.

HRW also found that in several countries, women cannot travel abroad with their children on an equal basis with men. Strict interpretations of Islamic law, cultural practices, and traditional patriarchal structures contribute to many women’s limited mobility. It’s often tied to the concept of “purdah,” which is a practice that secludes women from men and public spaces. This practice has roots in various South and Central Asian societies and has been adopted in various forms across some Middle Eastern countries. Such restrictions can vary significantly by country, region, and even individual families within the Middle East. In some places, women have more freedom to move about publicly, while in others, they may face more severe restrictions.

There have been many ongoing debates, changes, and movements advocating for women’s rights in the Middle East. There is a growing awareness of the need for greater gender equality and respect for women’s rights, including the right to mobility and independence. According to HRW, despite great strides made by the international women’s rights movement over many years, women and girls around the world are still married as children or trafficked into forced labor and sex slavery. They are refused access to education and political participation, and some are trapped in conflicts where rape is perpetrated as a weapon of war.

Around the world, deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth are needlessly high, and women are prevented from making deeply personal choices in their private lives. HRW is working toward the realization of women’s empowerment and gender equality—protecting the rights and improving the lives of women and girls on the ground.

Several countries, such as Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, and Yemen, among others, do not allow women many rights. While Saudi Arabia is among those countries, at the same time it has made inroads in allowing women other rights. The country has undergone significant changes regarding women’s rights in recent years, especially under the “Vision 2030” reform plan initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

For instance, in June 2018, a longstanding ban on women driving was lifted, allowing women to drive cars without needing permission from a male guardian. Today, women over the age of 21 can obtain passports and travel abroad without securing the consent of a male guardian. The government has also made efforts to increase women’s participation in the workforce, and women can now work in sectors that were previously reserved for men.

After many years of being banned, women are now allowed to attend public concerts, cinema screenings, and sporting events, which was previously restricted. In many other countries, Muslim women are still banned from such events. Some aspects of the male guardianship system in Saudi Arabia have been relaxed. Women can now live independently without permission from a male guardian, and they can also register births, marriages, and divorces.

Despite these significant changes, several restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms remain, and the male guardianship system still has influence. While aspects of it have been relaxed, women still require the permission of a male guardian in certain circumstances, such as for accessing certain healthcare services. Women still face discrimination in several areas of law, including family law, where women do not have equal rights to men in matters of divorce and child custody. Women, like their male counterparts, face restrictions on freedom of expression. Women’s rights activists have been arrested and detained, signaling the continued restrictions on civil liberties.

Muslim countries should take their cue from Saudi Arabia and implement the same changes, while going even further and allowing women complete and total freedom of movement and choice. Regardless of religion and past cultural worldviews, today it is considered against basic human rights to forbid anyone from enjoying freedom of choice and liberty. It is true that each society and culture has its own norms, but it should no longer be acceptable that women are treated as inferior to men and be prevented from enjoying the same freedoms and quality of life. It is time for Muslim countries and societies to change the rules and allow their women freedom of mobility and expression, and allow them to live a free and fulfilling life like anyone else.

Image: Pixabay

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