This column was originally published in the April 30th, 2011 edition of The Kingston Whig-Standard
How can we comprehend why half the world’s population – women and girls – is not only seen as inferior but treated as such by the other half of the population – men?
Because I belong to that half of the population called women, I do know how difficult it is to overcome or challenge these notions and their practices. The most difficult part of this is the men’s argument that all the religions of the world justify these practices.
Because I am talking about women and girls does not mean that I am ignoring other factors that influence the oppression of others such as the caste system and class structure. But ingrained values that militate against women exist systemically throughout all societies and must be addressed.
This struggle against injustices should not be limited to women as it affects us all. To be for fairness and justice for all does not mean we have to be anti–anything, especially not anti-male. We can certainly be anti-oppressors no matter who these are.
We need more male leaders, such as Jimmy Carter, to speak up for women. Jimmy Carter, a devout Baptist for over 40 years, gave up his church membership when the church stated that women had to be subservient. He wrote in Losing My Religion for Equality, “This view that women are somehow inferior to men is not restricted to one religion or belief. Women are prevented from playing a full and equal role in many faiths. Nor, tragically, does the influence stop at the walls of the church, mosque, synagogue or temple. This discrimination, unjustifiably attributed to a Higher Authority, has provided a reason or excuse of the deprivation of women’s equal rights across the world for centuries. At its most repugnant, the belief that women must be subjugated to the wishes of men excuses slavery, violence, forced prostitution, genital mutilation, and national laws that omit rape as a crime….The truth is that male religious leaders had had, and still have, an option to interpret holy teachings either to exalt or subjugate women; they have for their own selfish ends, overwhelmingly chose the latter.”
Sadly, there are verses in all religious texts which can be interpreted to lay the foundation of such misogyny.
Because many believe the entire texts are sacrosanct and eternal, believing women acquiesce to these teachings even if their reason and emotions tell them otherwise. I too believe that “God knows best” but I am also instructed – by God – that I am fully human, capable of good and evil, and that I must use my intellect to understand. Why should that message be subservient to male interpretations?
I don’t have to accept the myth of creation in which Eve leads foolish Adam astray, and thus this instruction to her – Timothy 2:11.
“Let the women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression.”
But as a Muslim woman I have my own version as to how I should behave. By men, I am told that by my behaviour – my femaleness – I not only cause “fitna” but I am fitna – disorder – as I seduce men and cause chaos and unrest to men and to society. So how is that for making me feel powerful?!
Other women, such as Chinese and Hindus, are taught that in childhood a female must be subject to her father, in youth to her husband, when her lord dies she is subject to her sons, because a woman must never be independent.
In Canada, what may appear to be one small, but significant example is how women are treated in some mosques/Islamic centres.
Women’s place is well defined because we are women, not based on our shared humanity with the males. We are “hidden” because we may cause men to become distracted while they pray. No consideration is given that women also may get distracted when they stand behind the men.
Sadly, some women acquiesce to this treatment which makes it harder for all of us.
Please don’t lecture me that it matters not where we stand at prayers because if standing at the back is no big deal, then please won’t the men move back once in a while to see how it feels?
History is full of remarkable women, but their accomplishments are buried, as history is written by men about their deeds. As Virginia Woolf said, “The history of most women is hidden either by silence, or by flourishes and ornaments that amounts to silence.”
Men – fellow human beings – won’t you join me in this struggle for the rights of your mothers, sisters, wives and daughters? I can promise you that sharing will make for less pain as you struggle to be all powerful and all responsible.
