Patriarchy And Oppression Of Muslim Women: Article Analysis

“Domestic violence is a type of abuse by one or both partners in marriage, friends, family, dating or cohabitation” (Aziz & Mahmoud, 2010). There are many forms of abuse from verbal and emotional to physical that often escalates over time in intensity for the victim. Data from the criminal justice system, hospital patient medical records and mental health records, police reports, surveys and social services reports of thousands of women revealed that many are injured and killed as a result of violence from someone close to them. “The US Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender” (Robertson & Murachver, 2009). Researchers and the criminal justice system have not been able to agree on a clear definition to domestic violence which can range from physical injury, stalking, verbal abuse and humiliation, denial of shelter and access to money, and intimidation through aggressive behaviors. The definition of domestic violence may vary but the results from physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and sometimes even death can last a life time.

In recent years, America’s attention has been gripped by stories of women who have escaped from the Middle East. Each has a unique story, but they all have the same themes of oppression, abuse, and domination. Americans rushed onto the scene ready to “save” Middle Eastern women and many of the activists are now been highly praised for the influence they made in the region. Others, however, have come to question whether the Muslim women in the Middle East really needed the U.S. to rescue them from Islam. *Insert Thesis*

This short video covers women’s rights in Afghanistan before and after the Taliban, the mid-90’s. The makers of this video often post informative videos, in fact, that’s all they post. In this video, Paula Bronstein, a woman that studies Afghan culture with a main focus on women, is interviewed about the information she found in her studies. This video’s content explains the oppression of Afghan women.

The article, Women’s Day, Afghan Style: Head Scarves and Flowers, asserts that although there is an International Women’s Day celebration every year in Afghanistan that lasts almost a month, women are still not being treated equally as men. Although “Afghanistan has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates” and is ranked very low in the gender equality index, they have several parties and ceremonies where women are awarded for their accomplishments (Nadar). In one of the ceremonies, the author of this article, Zahra Nadar, was invited for her journalism. The award show “was a little disappointing” with “the organizers [handing] out red flowers and headscarves” which plenty of Afghan women already had enough of (Nadar). Many people

Having always been interested in the history of women’s rights, the oppressive rule of the Taliban on Afghan women has always been an interesting topic to research. Prior to Taliban control of Afghanistan, women enjoyed living the freedom that they were granted. They were very crucial to the development of the Afghan society, but when the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan in 1996, the rights of Afghan women began to dwindle. Although they negatively affected Afghanistan, for instance, politically, economically, and socially, the major negative impact their rule had on socially specifically was the Afghan women’s rights.. Even though the Taliban claimed “that it was acting in the best interests of the women,” according to a report on the

Afghanistan is a war-torn country that has been plagued by death, turmoil, and terror. Ever since the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December of 1979, the country has been an unstable battlefield that has showed no remorse for any groups of people; especially women. The war zone, known as Afghanistan, has affected women the worst out of all groups of people affected by the many wars. From getting their rights to education, health, and careers taken away, to being treated like a useless piece of trash, women have experienced a drastic amount of inequality, pain, and fear. Ever since the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan, Afghan women have been physically, mentally, and sexually abused, denied access to basic human rights, and subjected to the worst of Sharia Law (thesis).

The Northern Alliance is a multi-ethnic alliance group in Afghanistan united under their opposition to the Taliban. This was the beginning toward their new freedom, but unfortunately progress still needed to be made towards this independence. The Northern Alliance sent security forces into Kabul on November 18,2001 after the unanticipated withdrawal of the Taliban (Rhode et al.). On Kabul's outskirts, women who were forced into virtually total seclusion under Taliban rule waved excitedly to foreigners and hundreds of people, mostly women, celebrated in the streets (Rhode et al.). Women were previously disrespected during the Taliban rule and that was now becoming evident. After the Taliban withdrew from Afghanistan, there was an immediate push toward improving rights for women. This push towards an improvement of women’s right was advocated by the unjust treatment suffered by women in their patriarchal society under the rule of the Taliban. This was the initial step towards women’s equality in Afghanistan society, a long awaited

The movie, Osama, opens up with a scene of widowed Afghani women marching to demand the ability to work in order to provide for their families. Shortly after, the Taliban enters and beings to shoot at the women and children. Some women are even taken, locked into cages, and imprisoned. Women in Afghani cultures are not treated like humans; they are treated like property. They live in a patriarchal society, which reflects the perspectives and priorities of men more than those of women (Wood & Fixmer-Oraiz, 2017, p. 29).

Feminism has revolutionized the rights of women around the world. From having almost no rights to suddenly being set free, the women of Afghanistan have faced a drastic change in their lives. After the Taliban was overthrown in 2001, the women of Afghanistan have gained new liberal rights that were once lost under the Talban’s rule. However, the women lack protection to be able to safely use these freedoms and continue to be abused for not complying with the rules of the past. These new liberal rights will set the path for the women of Afghanistan towards equality.

Women in the far reaches of Afghanistan have been in need of justice for many years. Subjected to a forced reality with no choice in the matter, these women live through segregation, persecution, and inequality. Within the Catholic Social Teaching, all persons are born with unalienable rights as children of God, created in his image and likeness. However, in Afghanistan the treatment these women endure not only stems from a radical religious law, but is also a side effect of the country’s established culture that has not evolved. In the article, "These Five Women Are Risking Their Lives To Make Afghanistan A Better Place For Women", Beenish Ahmed, examines the death of a woman, Farkhanda. In an effort to protect her own belief as a practitioner of the Islamic faith, and completing her own religious studies, Farkhanda, spoke out against men who were selling amulets. Farkhanda felt these men preyed on people’s hopes, and was attacked and beaten to death when she spoke her mind. (Beenish, These Five Women.) The loss of this woman's life helped sparked a fight and calling against injustice suffered by women, with

Travesties are committed against women every day, in every country, in every city, town and home. In Afghanistan women are not only discriminated against, they are publicly reduced to animals. Women are deprived of basic human rights: they are not allowed to travel outside their homes without being completely covered by the traditional shroud-like burqa; they are not allowed to speak or walk loudly in public; they are not allowed to laugh or speak with other women; they are not allowed to attend school nor work; they are expected to be invisible; they are the ghosts of what were once educated, notable, and successful women. With their ruthless and extreme laws, the Taliban have effectively

Greg, a police officer, lived with fear and isolation in his own home for 27 years. From the start of his marriage, he endured physical and emotional abuse from his spouse. He has been slapped, punched, scratched, and kicked throughout the span of the relationship. Greg’s wife would take her anger out on him no matter how miniscule the situation was. Eventually, he would reach his emotional breaking point and left his home (“Tell Your Story” 3). Greg is just one prime example that women are not the only victims to domestic abuse and violence. Domestic violence, sometimes known as “wife beating”, came about in the 1890s, but has recently been viewed as a serious crime. Domestic violence can occur in heterosexual

     A woman’s life in Afghanistan is one of the most shocking and devastating truths. It wasn’t until September 11th 2001 that the world awoke to the relevance of women’s issues to international peace and security. However, it’s been two years since and the lives of Afghan women have improved only slightly. Harassment, violence, illiteracy, poverty and extreme repression continue to characterize reality for many afghan women.

One of the biggest anomalies among current events today is the topic of Muslim women. Islamic women have been in the shadows for years, hidden by their spouses, therefore resulting in the reason why so many of them have been the subject of abuse. The devastating incident that led to many deaths on September 11th of 2001, could possibly be the most recent event that has sparked interest with the Muslim population (Daba-Buzoianu et.al 148). Even then, however, Americans were more concerned for their own safety rather than the safety of Muslim women. In the past, these women have had a history of abuse as a result of their disobedience and unfaithfulness to their religion. For example, in Pakistan, “...men, soldiers, and civilians have used rape as a strategy of terrorism against Pakistan’s women, particularly those who dare to transgress existing social hierarchies or who belong to stigmatized social groups (Sharlach 95).” Two of the most recent victims of authoritative Muslims that have managed to get their stories heard have been Mukhtaran Mai and Malala Yousafzai. Mai was raped as a result of her brother’s crimes and Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban as a result of merely wanting an education (Afzal-Khan 153). Although it seems that free will is an option for these women, few are brave enough to let their own opinions on issues concerning their lives surpass the demands of their religious leaders, who can possibly even be considered their masters. Women of this culture are

The documentary “ Love Crimes of Kabul” was striking and unusual compared to western culture. The video was eye opening, as I didn’t realize women in Afghan could be jailed for ridiculous crimes such as running away or having premarital relations. If these were laws in the United States we would all be in jail. The Afghan government perception of women rights is nothing close to what we would accept in western culture. It’s tragic that women are forced to be married at a young age and to stay married. For a lot these women the only way they are able to reclaim themselves is through marriage. Women in this community are constantly being put down and are being ostracized because of their sexuality.