Human Rights – Gender Issues

Human Rights Universal Declaration on Human Rights 1948 Established following WWII and ratified by 48 countries of the UN. 8 abstained including Saudi Arabia and USSR Orientalism? Cultural hegemony?

2016 Saudi Arabia elected to UN human rights council. Russia is removed

How Did this Happen? Lack of competition Seats are divided into five regional groups Asian group 4, Eastern Group 2 Only four candidates put forward in the Asia group, Saudi, Iraq, China, Japan In the Eastern group 3 candidates for 2 seats, Russia, Croatia, Hungary

Cairo Declaration on Human Rights Some Muslim countries and scholars critical of UDHR as it does not account for cultural and religious contexts of non-Western countries Organisation of the Islamic Conference Highlights human ‘dignity’ over ‘rights’ guarantees many of the same rights as the UDHR, while reaffirming Islamic law and tradition no other crimes or punishments than those mentioned in the sharia; corporal punishment capital punishment by stoning or decapitation Women: own rights to enjoy, duties to perform, financial independence, right to retain name and lineage right to express opinions freely as long as the principles of Shariah are not violated

Human Rights Index Azerbaijan 44.40% Bangladesh 47.20% Egypt 42.67% Indonesia 29.29% Iran 36.22% Iraq 30.42% Jordan 45.83% Kazakhstan 47.09% Libya 36.95% Pakistan 38.61% Qatar 47.80% Saudi Arabia 27.08% Turkey 47.64% United Arab Emirates 61.49% Yemen 41.91%

Gender Inequality Index Out of 135 Middle East / North Africa Asia Yemen 135 Saudi 131 Iran 127 Turkey 124 Jordon 121 Algeria 120 Qatar 115 UAE 107 Pakistan 134 Indonesia 97 Bangladesh 86 Kazakhstan 31 Other Azerbaijan 99 Nigeria 110

Gender Politics Feminism in the Middle East North Africa Western conceptions of women’s rights emphasize individual autonomy Islamic women’s rights advanced, with an emphasis on respect for family, religion, and community global women’s movement will inevitably ignore and undermine the unique elements of indigenous Middle East feminism which have arisen as a result of history and religion

Women’s Dress No compulsion on dress: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey Appropriate dress required, Iran, Saudi Modest dress expected in the Gulf States

Theocracy

Saudi Arabia Things Saudi Women Can’t do Drive. Travel without the consent of a male family member Marry, without the consent of a guardian Work, without the consent of a guardian Appear in public without covering herself in a black abaya Receive the same amount of inheritance as a man Work in certain jobs Mingle with unrelated men in public places such as restaurants Divorce as easily as a man

Sexual Assault In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf this is particularly problematic 50% of women claim they would not report Statutory rape is not a crime Female victims are often punished for being in the company of unrelated men, or charged with adultery in the absence of proof of sexual assault. Conviction requires either confession of the accused or 4 witnesses.

Saudi women can: - Vote in municipal elections, the kingdom's only polls for public officials (2015) Sit on the Shura Council, an appointed body which advises cabinet Hold the most senior corporate executive posts Work in government administration and an expanding number of private sector areas, including as lawyers

IRAN A record 17 women will become lawmakers in the 290-seat parliament one more than the number of clerics Gender inequality index 107th

Women Political Representatives Around the World 3% - Lebanon and Papua New Guinea 6% - Nigeria, Thailand, Iran 12% - India, Sierra Leone, Syria 19% - Tajikistan, USA 24% - China, Estonia, Vietnam 29% - UK 44% - Sweden, the Seychelles 49% - Cuba 53% - Bolivia 64% - Rwanda