Women in Islamic Societies

Clothing ► In Afghanistan, and other places, some women are required to wear Burqas or similar articles of clothing ► Taliban government has mandated that women be fully covered by wearing such clothing.

Women and work ► A women’s primary responsibility is in the home to raise children. Some Muslims believe that if this is fulfilled, then they may leave the home to work, if their husbands agree. ► Qur’an puts main responsibility of earning money with the husband and asks wives to be obedient to them.

Marriage ► No age limits are fixed by Islam for marriage ► A young child may be married or promised for marriage ► Women are not allowed to marry a non- Muslim

Marriage ► Men are allowed to have multiple wives as long as  They have no more than 4  He must be able to provide for all of them ► Only 1-3% Muslim marriages are polygamous

Traveling ► Women are not allowed to travel independently or with other women ► In general, cannot travel 3 days without husband with her

Taliban ► Restrictive government has put more rules on women  Must wear burqa in public  Not allowed to work  Not allowed to be educated after age of 8 ► Until age 8, can only study the Qur’an  Women should not speak loudly in public

Taliban continued  Should not wear high heeled shoes, so not to draw attention to herself  All ground and first floor windows should be covered, to prevent women from being seen from the street  Photography and filming of women banned  Women forbidden to appear on balconies of their houses  Ban on women’s presence on radio, tv, or public gatherings

Mobility ► Dress restricts movement, work ► Women forbidden to ride bikes or motorcycles ► Segregated bus services to prevent men and women on the same bus

Health care ► No male doctor can touch a women  Few females doctors… means women have to travel far, or go without treatment ► Try to establish clinics, but medical supplies hard to get

Punishments for women ► Tip of thumb cut off for wearing nail polish (1996) ► Married woman caught attempting to flee with lover. Both were stoned to death. (1997) ► Woman found running informal school in her home. Children were beaten, woman thrown down the stairs and then imprisoned.

Punishment for Men ► Believe that men are duty bound to control women, so they are punished for female misconduct ► If women found washing clothes in river, she was taken home and her husband would be severely punished ► If taxi driver picked up unaccompanied woman, he faced jail sentence and her husband would be punished