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My
name is Lauren. I am researching
the Middle East in my Social
Studies class, and I'm focusing
right now on women. I was wondering
if you could give me any information
on the treatment of women in
the Middle East. Also, could
you please put me in contact
with anyone who's interested
in talking to me and my classmates
or is directly connected to
the situation. Thank you! Sincerely,
Lauren
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Thanks
for your note to FEMINIST.COM
and for taking the time to educate
your classmates on the treatment
of women in Middle East. Because
this Middle East is quite a
big area and includes many different
countries/cultures, etc... it's
hard to make a blanket statement.
For instance, there is Israel,
where the situation for women
is pretty good comparatively
and there are many great and
active Israel women's groups
who can give you more information.
Many people also assume that
Afghanistan is a part of the
Middle East. If you consider
this, you have to consider the
Taliban, which is the fundamentalist
faction which is currently controllng
Afghanistan and prevents women
and girls from going to school,
the doctor, riding the bus,
etc... (For more information
on this, contact the Feminist
Majority Foundation.)
The Middle East mostly gets
categorized as being Muslim
territority, which it is mostly
is. But it's important - especially
when considering the treatment
of women - that one consider
not only the interpretation
of the Koran, but what is actually
says. There is often a difference
in interpretation and the burden
shouldn't fall on the Koran
itself, but on the people who
wrongly interpret it. For more
information on the Middle East,
you might want to look at Robin
Morgan's anthology--Sisterhood Is Global which includes write-ups on each country and there
treatment of women. There is
also a foundation of this same
name based in Washington, DC
(www.sigi.org),
which can give you more information.
I hope that helps -- also the
organizations listed above might
be able to suggest possible
people to come speak to your
class. Where are you located?
That would help to make suggestions,
too.
—Amy
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