Islam has given great importance to women, granting them a distinguished status and rights that were unavailable to them in many societies centuries before its advent.
Islam does not view women as subordinate or inferior beings, but rather as essential partners in building society, with their own rights and responsibilities.
The Status of Women in Islam
First: Equality in Obligation and Responsibility
Islam emphasizes the equality between men and women in religious obligations and responsibility before God. Both are obligated to perform religious duties, and both will be held accountable for their actions. God Almighty says: {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise, where they will be provided for without account.} (Ghafir: 40)
Second: Human Dignity
Islam honored women as human beings, granting them inherent value and dignity.
Some pre-Islamic societies witnessed practices that diminished women’s rights. Islam came to put an end to these practices and grant women their fundamental rights.
Third: Partnership in the Family and Society
Women are essential partners to men in forming the family. They are mothers who raise future generations, wives who contribute to building a life together, sisters, and daughters. They also have an active role in society, enabling them to participate in public life and offer advice and counsel.
Women’s Rights in Islam
1. The Right to Education: Islam encouraged the pursuit of knowledge for both genders and did not differentiate between men and women in this right. There were female scholars and jurists in the early days of Islam.
2. The Right to Ownership and Disposal:
Women have the full right to own and freely dispose of their own money, whether it is a dowry, inheritance, or earnings from their work.
3. The Right to Marry and Choose a Spouse:
A woman may not be forced to marry someone she does not want. Marriage must be with her consent, and she has the right to annul the marriage contract in certain circumstances.
4. The Right to Maintenance:
The husband is obligated to provide his wife with full maintenance, including food, drink, clothing, and shelter, even if she is wealthy.
5. The Right to Inheritance:
A woman has a fixed and independent right to inheritance. The division of inheritance in Islam is not based on gender (male or female), but rather varies according to the degree of kinship to the deceased, the generation of the heir (younger generations inherit more), and also the financial burdens and responsibilities incumbent upon the heir.
6. The Right to Work:
A woman has the right to work and earn a living through legitimate means, provided that her work is compatible with her nature and Islamic values, and does not lead to the neglect of her essential family duties.
Women’s Responsibilities in Islam
▪️Her responsibility towards her family: Raising and nurturing children is a shared and collaborative responsibility between the father and mother to build a righteous generation, with full emphasis on the pivotal and essential role of the mother as the pillar of the family and the cornerstone in guiding the young.
▪️Her responsibility towards society: As a Muslim woman, she has the responsibility to contribute to building a righteous society, spreading goodness, and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong through the means available to her.
▪️Adherence to Islamic guidelines: In her dealings and public life, a woman is required to adhere to Islamic guidelines that guarantee her dignity and preserve her status.
The Role of International Organizations in Defending Women’s Rights
International organizations play a vital role in promoting and defending women’s rights globally. In particular, the International Organization for the Defense of Women’s Rights (IOWRD) works in coordination with other organizations on several key areas:
First: Awareness-raising and dissemination
Organizations conduct awareness campaigns on women’s issues, such as violence against women, discrimination, and inequality of opportunity. These campaigns aim to change prevailing societal perceptions and increase awareness of the importance of women’s rights.
Second: Advocacy and political lobbying
Organizations work to pressure governments and international institutions to enact and implement laws and policies that protect women’s rights and promote gender equality. These efforts include participating in international conferences and submitting proposals and recommendations.
Third: Providing support and assistance
Many organizations provide direct support to women and girls who are victims of violations, such as providing shelter, legal and psychological counseling, and assistance in accessing basic services.
Fourth: Monitoring and observation
Organizations monitor and assess the status of women’s rights in various countries and issue periodic reports highlighting violations and challenges, and calling for action to address them.
Fifth: Capacity Building
Organizations contribute to building the capacities of women activists and advocates for women’s rights, enabling them to perform their roles more effectively.
In conclusion, Islam has established a solid foundation of rights and dignity for women, a foundation that aligns with human nature and is consistent with the principles of justice and equality.
However, the practical application of these rights may face challenges in some societies. This is where the role of international and local organizations becomes crucial, providing a voice for women and working to bridge the gap between texts and practices. Cooperation between religious institutions, communities, and international organizations is the best way to ensure women’s empowerment, their full enjoyment of their rights, and their ability to play an active role in building prosperous and just societies.
