Over the past several years, numerous columns and features have appeared in both the Arabic and English press in this country focusing on women’s’ rights and calling for more freedom for them to pursue their independent destiny.
And the government has cautiously responded, beginning with issuance of women’s nationality ID cards, and subsequently targeting more professions for women — something unheard of a decade ago. While private business had earlier taken the lead, ministries today are slowly joining the bandwagon in creating more jobs for females in various sectors. The Foreign Ministry and the Passports Department are but two that have responded to the growing awareness of utilizing the forgotten half of our work force. There are also moves to eliminate the need of a male guardian in several of their business affairs.
But in spite of these opening avenues, the response from women has been surprisingly disappointing. Other than the few hundred thousand urban and city-bred or the foreign-educated women who grabbed the challenge, there are many who are seemingly uncomfortable with the pressures of having to change. And puzzling as it may be, it is the mindset of these women that adds significantly to our social resistance to amend.
In talking to a few of them who are adamant against the “corruption of our way of life” as they prefer to see it, these women are not hesitant to parrot some vague reference to our religion forbidding them from venturing into the tomorrow. And when reminded that their interpretations are misguided according to renowned scholars, they remain stubbornly unconvinced.
Just what has got them to this stage? Twenty-five years ago, there was more free thought and less fear and suspicion of change. Women made the news then, while universities were admitting record numbers of female students. In fields of medicine, education, law, media and business, women were quickly establishing themselves. There was an atmosphere of challenge, a building of a nation that each felt they had to contribute to. And some of those early female students went on to distinguish themselves in various fields and earn international recognition.
But not long after that, subtle variations started taking place within our schools and society.
Religious edicts flowed in uncontrolled torrents rejecting one progressive thought after another. Women soon disappeared from the media. Women’s businesses were conducted behind closed doors. Approaches to ministries to process paperwork had to be done by a male guardian. Banks would not open accounts for women unless the consent of their male guardian was in evidence. And the intensity of such acts kept increasing, with vociferous debates on what constituted a proper veil, why women couldn’t drive and what professions were noble and limited to women and the like.
And not surprisingly, most of these restrictive declarations came from men — men who paraded around pushing their own repressive interpretations of Islam with authority. Grudgingly, women found solace either in teaching in an all girls’ school or else retreated into their shells waiting around to get married.
Our educational institutions were not far behind in promoting this new wave of oppressive thinking. End-of-the-year celebrations were frowned upon in certain schools, deemed by some teachers as a wasteful sin.
Some schools went as far as banning any shows put up by students to celebrate Mother’s Day. Intra-mural activities between girls’ schools were abruptly stopped, and the prospect of physical education for our girls was quickly buried under a morass of indigestible edicts. The dress code became more restrictive, as did the thought process of those who administered such schools.
And thus a new generation was shaped. One who lived a life in fear of sinning. Everything was either deemed black or white. Creativity and queries were replaced by strict obedience, or else the sword of utter damnation hovered above their heads. They were expected to conform to this school of thought and soon knew no other. Many fathers and husbands used the prevailing atmosphere with moral authority in repressing the female members of their families to their own advantage.
And it is these women today who form the mass of resistance from within. Conditioned by men into beliefs that left them with very little stature, these women remain a considerable number within our society. Until and unless change comes from within them, there is very little the government or anyone else for that matter can hope for in promoting their God-given rights.
