Obama Gets His Feminism On By Exploring Women’s Rights in the Muslim World
posted by: Ximena R. 167 days ago
For me being a feminist is all about choice. Whether or not I choose to get married, take my husband’s name, have kids, stay at home, work full time – the list goes on and on. Recognizing that it is within my power to make these choices allows me the freedom to choose and create the destiny I want for myself, regardless of the script society has cast me as a woman.
In his speech at Cairo University last week, President Obama got his feminism on by exploring issues of women rights in the Muslim world. In tackling the issue of the controversial hijab, which many view as a sign of oppression, Obama diplomatically defended a woman’s right to wear the head scarf, or partake in other traditional customs, but most importantly recognized that this is a choice woman can make – not something that should be enforced upon them. In establishing this notion of choice, Obama affirmed that women, regardless of religion or race, should decide what is best for them.
In a culture that is rampant in its abuses of women’s rights, this is an important message.
The President also recognized the importance of education to equality and the need to ensure that girls are afforded the same educational opportunities as boys. He offered his support in helping to expand literacy for girls and employment for young women.
Here is a sprinkling of my favorite selections:
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men and women - to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice (emphasis mine).
Some may argue that the President wasn’t tough enough in his speech, but like Tracy Clark-Flory at Salon I agree that his “sensitivity, respect and tolerance for Islamic culture” was an important, diplomatic step in the right direction for a fresh start with the Islamic world.
To watch the speech (thanks Salon!) click here.
Read more: islam, muslim, womens rights, obama, cairo university
comments
The Middle East and Africa are the worst violators of women's rights.
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If it was such a great thing he done over there why was not his most blessed gift he has not there?????? Oh she must have been busy here and couldn't quite make it, but hey could you please bring another glass of that fine perrier.
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Considering the health risks of the "female circumcision", I think that President Obama is making great headway to ensure that women all over are gaining ground to be their own person.
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We're all equal, our genders shouldn't define our treatment or social status.
Every 15 seconds a little girl undergoes female genital mutilation, young girls are being auctioned off for marriage, they're futures are stolen from them, and most of the honor killings commited are against women. This misogyny needs to stop now.
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Every nation, and of course every culture have their own way of thinking and acting. We the women, always in our history have figth for our rights and even when we fight for them, we let the men do what they want with us, we let our own friends think and say what the men want to listen. I think we will really have our real rights,the day we believe we have the right to fight for them, not before. Our freedom will begin inside of each woman no matter what all the other people say about women, because as the men we have our free will,we have our minds, our hands and a big intellect to get what we really want, but if inside us, these topics are far away from us we will continue being the poor women,with no value.
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All women should have rights no matter where they happen to live but that will never happen in that part of the world because the men are so afraid of the women that in their minds by covering them nobody will know how pretty these women really are and they can get away with a lot by lying to them and berating them and they are so brain washed they don't know any differently.
He took the first step but I think that will be the only stept taken to free these women.
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Don't confuse culture with religion. The castration of women in Africa, forced/young marriages, exclusion from education and forced covering are CULTURE that many blame on the religion. There is a false hadith saying the Prophet condoned castration of women. I must point out that he is the one who pulled women out of the role of property and slavery by the Arabs into a life with rights, education, choice of marriage and husband, rights in divorce and maintenance by the male head of household. The idiocy in Afghanistan and Pakistan is NOT Islam, that's cultural beliefs proliferated by men who probably can't even read and go by their horrendously oppressive mullahs.
The main source of history/hadith from that period of time came from Aisha and his other wives, the mothers of Islam. "Paradise lies at the feet of the mother" is one of his famous quotes. He held women HIGH in esteem and Islam is supposed to also. It's MAN who has warped it.
BTW I am a female convert to Islam. I cover my head and it's my choice to follow that dictate from God. No MAN has a right to impose it on me or any other woman.
I applaud President Obama for addressing these issues in one of the countries that is oppressive to it's citizens and most of all their women. Change must come from within though. His words and intentions are good but he can't bring about change, only awareness. He can help change perceptions though. For that I am proud of his speech. He gets it.
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President Obama took enormous risks in addressing the Muslim world. I am very pleased that he covered as many bases, and in as positive a manner, as he was able to do. He chose to take the high road, and in my opinion did that very well.
Compare his reception there with the mistrust and hostility the United States has reaped by years of misguided foreign policy and profound cultural disrespect (example: the "reconstructive" efforts in Iraq hired Iraqi cooks-- and required them to cook and serve pork, because many of the Americans who staffed the reconstruction agencies had grown up on it). See "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone" by Rajiv Chandrasekaran.
Certainly there are many areas he can address in greater detail, including feminist issues. This was a beginning. Given time and opportunity, he will offer leadership. In my opinion, he has his head on straight about women's essential contributions, and, absolutely, women's rights.
Predictably, there has been a lot of conservative hand-wringing and nit-picking over the content of his speech. Instead of serving as the "loyal opposition," which is a constructive role, the right wing has become the Chicken Little of contemporary politics.
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The words of wisdom are always worth listening to. So the first step has been made. President Obama's bravery should be applauded.
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Of course it's good when the voice of reason speaks encouraging women's rights countries that still cling to the dark ages. But is he ever going to talk about the castration of moslem girls? It's vile and hideous! I wish he could tackle this evil.
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AP Photo/Gerald Herbert -http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/06/04/obama_invokes_koran_in_key_points_of_cairo_speech/
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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