Global Women's Oppression

Global Issue: Women’s Oppression

          Our social conditions define our perceived reality. To some extent everyone has experienced oppression; some more than others. Women in particular are a group that, although have made huge strides for equality, still remain inferior across the world. As a white female in America, my experience is drastically different compared to women in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The conditions I encounter are much more liberated due to the feminist movement in the West. However, this is not the case for women in the majority of mass populated areas. Religion, male authority, lack of rights and cultural practices keep these women silent with little to no power. Women’s oppression is still heavily prevalent, yet is somehow not only tolerated, but accepted.
          Religion is an institution, created by man, to create rules for society to abide by. Among the many vastly different religions, there is a running theme of female inferiority. The Bible states that “Men are superior to women. Jesus is superior to men and God is above all. Women should worship all of them.” (14: 34& 35, Corinthian). In other religions, the Qur’an, for instance, claims that “Men have authority over women, for that God has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have expanded of their property. Righteous women are therefore obedient and those you fear may be rebellious, admonish them to their couch, and beat them.” (Koran, Women, verse 38). Not only are these statements reiterating that females are less than and should not act out, it also allows permission in the latter quote, for the man to physically harm any female. A current example of this is the disturbing occurrences of “bride burning” in areas such as India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Because dowries are still a form of exchange for marriage, the men resume full access and responsibility to the bride’s resources. If the resources are insufficient, the female is blamed and puts shame on the family name. Because the female is tied to the man she was arranged with, there is virtually no way out. “Kitchen accidents” are then the outcome of strained monetary relations, where the woman is doused in kerosene and lit on fire by her husband. The women have no rights and no voice, which is consequently perpetuated by the communal recognition of such ludicrous instances of women being burned to death. This is a “cognitive level of prejudice,” where a major religious group acknowledges the inferiority of one group; that being females.

          Another form of women’s oppression is seen predominately in Africa called “genital mutilation.” There are multiple forms of the procedure; ranging from removing the clitoris to removing the vagina entirely. One elder who performed the rituals said that “In order to be respected in the community, she must be cut.” When asked why this practice is still held in high regard, it was only a matter of the past tribal history performing it. It supposedly reduces a woman’s libido into a subdued “proper” state. The vagina has also been said to be seen as “dirty” or “unsightly,” and therefore must either be mutilated or even completely removed. This is a very extreme case of not being ‘good enough’ in our natural state, but is all too common across cultures. The most sacred part of a woman, her reproductive system, is being violated and dismembered…all for the sake of respect and acceptance. The message that is being perceived it that as women, we are never fully presentable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBEhynDDRkk

          In Saudi Arabia social stratification is implemented into all areas of society, at the expense of the women in the country. The apparent physical boundary appears with the hijab, or veil, used to conceal the women in public. She is not allowed to show her face, in fear of men acting upon such a seductive action. Women are not allowed to vote or drive a car. They are under strict male guardianship at all times, whether it be a brother, father or husband. This male guardian is in complete control of her every move. If she requests work, it must be “suitable” and approved by her guardian. There is sex-segregation in public and up until last year, all education was separated by gender. Polygamy is also practiced involving as many as four wives. In all of these non-disputable laws, it shows that women literally have no voice and thus have no personal freedom. Dictionary.com defines slavery as “a civil relationship whereby one person has absolute power over another and controls his life, liberty, and fortune.” It’s hard to see any form of liberation in a culture as controlling as Islamic rule. The most disturbing aspect of Saudi culture is that women have been conditioned to be so compliant that they accept their conditions under the name of Allah. But do they really have any other choice in such a patriarchal society? This is an evident form of institutional discrimination where the customs and laws dictate a certain group’s existence. The selective employment, limited education and lack of resources make it difficult for any woman to break the mold and speak out against such belittling and insulting treatment.

http://www.globalshift.org/2010/02/28/slow-changes-to-womens-rights-in-saudi-arabia

          These are just a few examples cross-culturally and internationally that women are still knowingly being oppressed and treated clearly substandard. Knowledge is power, and by exposing this type of tyranny it allows people to see their world in a different perspective and hopefully provide a voice to a seemingly silent group.

Resources

“The Elders” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-JcpNBiRcM Jimmy Carter says that “religion is the cause of female inferiority.”

http://www.bikhodayan.com/Islamwoman/10.htm

Adapted from a speech given at a seminar on 8 March 19999 held by NUS’ Women’s Campaign at Cambridge University – U.K.

Copyright © New York Times, Jan 15, 1989 http://www.aintnowaytogo.com/hotBride.htm

 “Saudi Arabia: Women’s Right’s Promises Broken.” Human Rights Watch, July 8, 2009.

“War Against Women.” CBS News, 60 Minutes, August 17, 2008.