Using a cultural or feminist lens, develop an argument based on some aspects associated with civil rights movements or the women’s rights movement. Narrow your topic to a particular area of interest and be specific in your argument.
Cultural lens refers to an approach that helps in advancing the goals of programming to be successful and efficient basing on a strong society acceptance and possession (Dixon 55). In most cases people refers it as an analytical programming instrument as it helps the policy makers to understand, analyze and use positive cultural values and structures in their programming and planning processes(Dixon 55). This in advance helps to strengthen the programming processes and creates a condition of possessions. Cultural or feminist lens helps to create a state of sustainability of various areas of women’s empowerment (Dixon 55). It also helps to promote sustainability when focusing on endorsement of women’s rights and health. For a couple of years, cultural lenses have been used to enlighten the source of social practices that are detrimental to human being (Dixon 55). In addition, it helps to enlighten various social practices that hinder people enjoyment of their rights. For instance, in case there is violation of any rights of human being it informs projects without losing sights of individual’s rights especially those that are promoting their well-being (Dixon 55). In relation, cultural lenses helps to clarify some of the influential local powers that pressures human being and can present some potential allies to the development of programming (Cappucci 165). Through use of cultural lenses policy makers can be in a position to achieve the goals of development planning in a more effective and efficient way. This can be enhanced by creating a conducive environment where people respect each other rights and use culturally allowed and persuasive language.
When focusing on the women’s rights, it is essential to make sure that the cultural lenses have reflected them. This is because it help to illuminate all the basis of social practices that may be harmful to people. Additionally, it helps to illuminate the social practices that may be detrimental or violate the human rights. In most cases, a cultural lens encourages the programmers to find a grown solution that helps to guarantee possessions and sustainability of developments outcomes (Ncafp 151). When focusing on women rights in Middle East, it is essential to look various ways that these rights were violated. This will help to give a valid comparison between women in the past and in the Middle East. For instance, women in Middle East were perceived as inferior. This is because there were various issues that they were facing in Middle East that made them to be viewed as inferior. In other words, the diversity and the conditions of women lifestyle is often lost in Middle East. Although there are indigenous causes for their inferiority status, it can be seen that they are highly viewed as inferior. Most of the women rights are violated and this tends to be the key points. This is because women in Middle East have lost their diversity of female lifestyle. Women’s rights movement helps to maintain that women are treated fairly without any form of harassment. In addition, they fight for the rights of women and emphasize on their empowerments.
It is said that while the rest of countries were enjoying and respecting the Women’s International day, women in Middle East were not even aware of such a prominent day (Prosor 401). This is because they were less to celebrate as their dignity and respect is not valued in Middle East. In addition, women in the past had substantial progress due to their increasing rights in workplace, home and in political seats, however, women in the Middle East continued to suffer deliberately from a miserable shortage in human rights (Dixon 55). In Middle East, some of the societal norms and taboos are still hindering women progress in various subordinate positions. This is because women in this part of the world are viewed as inferior thus; they cannot be in a position to be given the subordinate status or positions. These may include political posts and other superior status that men tend to be given. Government in Middle East has remained defiant in addressing the inequalities for women through legislation (Sutherlin 77). Some of the laws that are in charge of marital rape and abuse of women rights are greatly absent in this part of the world. This is because there is persistent killing and segregation. In addition, there is discrimination of female gender in educational and political institutions (Sutherlin 77). This shows that women’s rights in this part of the world are particularly poor as they suffer from a deficit in freedom and human rights as compared to the other parts of the globe. Many researchers have argued that apologetic responses or women empowerment is completely inadequate in Middle East (Sutherlin 77). Thus, they tend to view all women as inferior. This means that they do not appreciate anything good about women who live in this part of the world.
Focusing on cultural lens that illuminate various social practices that tends to violate the human’s right, it is crucial to think of various ways that can help to remedy this situation and the difficult time that woman in Middle East tends to face. According to cultural lenses, individual in a country are not only the products of their entire cultures but also active actors that can participate a lot to their change (Metcalfe 96). This means that it is essential and vital to respects people’s attitude and beliefs. This in advance helps to make the entire country to be very open to changes that contribute to the welfare of their communities and the human rights of all people not considering whether the person is a woman or man. Women in Middle East are viewed as faceless victims (Metcalfe 96). This is because they cannot be given the higher positions that men tends to be given. It is essential for the entire government to be a good example to the rest of the residents. For instance, they should allow women to be given higher positions that are given to men. This is because in Middle East, women cannot be given a chance to participate in political seats or other greater positions that men are given. Various women groups have been formed in order to fight for women empowerment and their entire rights. Women’s suffrage is one of them and it emphasizes on women’s rights and freedom to participate in development programs (Metcalfe 96). They also stresses on marital choice and education for female gender. The fact that women are back born of any society, it is essential to respect their beliefs and attitude (Sutherlin 77). However, Middle East is quite different as it denies women their rights.
In addition, they are denied a proper place in the society as other women are given in other parts of the world. It is essential to give a woman all she deserves, as she is the back born of the society (Metcalfe 96). This is because in case she is educated she can be in a position to raise the entire village. This is due to the fact that a woman who tends to be educated can teach her entire children the best and proper path to the future (Sutherlin 77). However, if the woman is denied education, the whole society will remain behind. Due to the fact that overall gender of women are treated as second-class citizens, this has participated a lot in weakening Middle East as women are the back born of any society in the country(Metcalfe 96). It is essential to protect their rights and empower them as possible in order to promote gender equality in the country.
Gender equality is not practiced in the Middle East countries. This is not a concern in women in Middle East but to women in different countries globally. Saudi Arabia is the biggest country where women oppression and harassment is experienced. The western countries have greatly contributed to women oppression in Middle East countries especially the United States. Sexual abuse and domestic violence are some of the oppression that women both in the past and present have faced. The western countries believe that women in Middle East are weak and cannot support themselves (Keddie, 281). The Muslim women in Middle East have their rights violated where people assume that it is right according to the Muslim culture where women are regarded as inferior and subjects to men. Women cannot make their own decisions. They have to follow decisions from the superior men. According to the Muslim culture, women both in the past and present are not even allowed to drive vehicles. This is a right denied to them forcefully by men. Most countries in Middle East are following the oppressive rules in Saudi Arabia to continue spreading harassment and sexual abuse of women. Although women in some Middle East countries enjoy political and social rights, their cultural rights are denied to them. The government is also in support of some oppressive rules and treatment (Keddie, 281). Women in Middle East countries like Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq are not denied their political and social rights where they are given powerful positions in the government. Women both in present and in the past are denied their rights by men on the basis of religion and harsh Islamic beliefs and rules (Keddie, 281).
The rights of women remain violated right from the traditional view. Christianity, Islamic and Jewish beliefs in Middle East have developed oppressive religious rules and beliefs which causes harassment of women in various families and the state at large. In Kuwait for example women up to date are denied their voting rights. Women are part of the society and are equal to men thus denying them a right is unfair and wrong (Sutherlin 77). Women representation in national assemblies of most Middle East countries is low compared to other parts of the world. In Turkey and Pakistan however, women are the leaders of such Muslim nations which shows that their rights are respected and men believe in women leadership. Israel is different such that once a woman was given rights to lead the nation but presently men dominate the leadership positions. Christian and Jewish cultures have participated in violation of women’s rights (Sutherlin 77). The religious beliefs suggest that women should always obey their husbands without questioning. They should give in to the demands of the men. Menstruation is criticized in these countries such that women are viewed as unhygienic people because of the unavoidable menstrual cycle. Polygamy is authorized in these countries as well as wife inheritance which are made legal by both government and religious laws. Women are denied rights to inherit property and also to own the property in the past and present (Dixon 55). This is made possible by courts supporting these harmful and unfair practices. Most oppressive rights and rules always generate from the Islamic, Christianity and Jewish religious beliefs and cultural practices. Culture is one of the basic as to why women in Middle East were and still are denied most of their rights.
Religion is one of the contributing factors of women oppression in Middle East countries. Religion is not the only thing that can be blamed for oppression in women. Cultural practices and beliefs play even a major role in oppressing women as compared to religion both currently and traditionally. Female genital mutilation is one of the dangerous cultural practice women forcefully undergo in Middle East countries (Dixon 55). Female genital mutilation is oppressive and dangerous to women’s health and often contributes to death of women especially small girls. The practice is associated right according to the hadith practice and belief in the Islamic culture. This practice is practiced mostly in rural areas as compared with the urban educated areas. Veiling is one of the contributing practices of oppressing women in Middle East countries which originally came from Christianity culture (Keddie, 281). Western countries and cultures have greatly contributed to women oppression in the Middle East countries. Sexual abuse has been supported by cultural practices mainly from the western countries thus continuing with the oppressive laws. Christianity and Islamic cultures often differ in supporting sexual morals where Christians accuse Muslims of oppressing women when they are also included in oppressing them which is ironical. Colonial feminism is presently practiced by western countries where they are seen to defend women’s rights in other countries whereas at the same time they violate rights of women in their own countries (Keddie, 281). This is ironical and unacceptable where women activists should come up to fight for rights of their fellow women. Women status in the Middle East countries signifies the dangerous Islamic culture in the region which should be abolished. Colonial feminism is rejected by the Middle East countries though some cultures support it. Middle East countries view this as one way of colonialism by the western countries and therefore reject it presently.
United States support cannot be denied by the government of Saudi Arabia. The US government has contributed to oppression of women and frustration especially in the political and cultural point of view (Cappucci 165). The western countries which many Middle East countries depend on for financial support cannot be denied the responsibility to bring in cultures even though they are oppressive and harmful to women in the countries. The US supports oppressive movements’ financially rather than supporting movements which fight for women’s rights especially the feminists’ movements and associations. During the cold war, the US government was in support of fundamentalism of Islamic culture which has currently contributed to women harassment and oppression throughout the Middle East states. The US government has contributed to violation of human rights both internally and externally (Metcalfe 96). Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that show how the US government takes advantage of supporting oppression in women. Intolerable religious beliefs and cultures as well as sexual abuse are examples of oppressiveness of Middle East women as supported by US government in a hypocrisy manner (Cappucci 165). The US government is silent on the issue of violation of women’s right while it is seen making speeches that human rights should be respected. Women are subjects of all male persons in the Middle East countries. They cannot travel without seeking permission from their brothers and husbands. They are denied political rights completely. They are denied rights to drive and make decisions on their own. They must follow the decisions made by their brothers, fathers and husbands (Metcalfe 96). There are campaigns against gender equality and equity by the Saudi powerful political family which are funded by the US government since they do not believe in gender equality. This is an example of how the Middle East countries are misused by the American government and support women plight and rights violation (Cappucci 165). The Canadian government has come in aid and support of the poor people in Middle East and especially women. The human rights and feminist movements in Middle East countries are not funded by American government since they support the oppression taking place from the past to date. Women in Middle East are currently struggling to end gender inequality (Cappucci 165). Women are currently educated and have come up with non governmental movements which support gender equity. This is a positive response and should be supported and funded by countries globally.
Works Cited
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Dixon, Mary. Invitations & Inspirations: Pathways to Successful Teaching. Carlton South, Vic: Curriculum Corporation, 2004. Print.
Keddie, Nikki R. Women in the Middle East: Past and Present. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. Internet resource.
Metcalfe, Beverly. "Women, Management And Globalization In The Middle East." Journal Of Business Ethics 83.1 (2008): 85-100. Business Source Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
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