{UAH} Suffragettes
|
10:12 AM |
No comments |
So many politicians, including the PM, Theresa May, as well as feminists and others are praising the Suffragettes for their 'courage' in the struggle they went through to secure the vote for women in the UK - 100 years ago today.
However, what they don't ask is WHY women had to go to such extremes and suffering, including being demonised, beaten by the police, chaining themselves to railings, and throwing themselves infront of horses to secure what should be a basic right for every citizen of every state (male or female, black or white) - to elect your leader and representatives. And what they also fail to reflect on deeply is WHY after 100 years of having the vote, women in the UK continue to face epidemic levels of domestic violence (1 in 4 women with 2 women killed each week by their partner), sexual harrassment (over 50% of women and over 60% of girls aged 16-24), and rape (between 60,000 to 95,000 each year) as well as why fundamental pay gaps continue to exist betwen men and women who do the same jobs after countless gender equality and equal pay Acts.
Surely, the intensive struggle that the suffragettes or the civil rights movement had to go through in the face of such intensive opposition from those in power to secure basic political, economic, educational and social rights should highlight one of the major fundamental flaws of the democratic secular system...i.e. that it does not automatically guarantee people their rights. Rather, 'courageous' individuals have to fight the system to secure that which should have been granted to them by default.
Furthermore, simply having the vote is no guarantee for respect, good treatment, and protection from abuse for women. Rather, this depends on the value system and laws within a society and whether they nurture a viewpoint of respect or disrespect for women. And in a capitalist liberal society, that promotes sexual freedoms and celebrates the sexualisation of women that leads to cheapening and degrading their status, it nurtures mindsets amongst many men that are based upon the latter. Under such circumstances, one wonders how many more centuries will have to pass before women enjoy the respect they deserve?
Contrary to the belief in many western states, women did not first secure the vote in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. No! Fourteen hundred years ago, Islam established that men and women have the same political, economic, judicial, and educational rights, including electing their ruler and being elected representatives of their community to hold their ruler to account. This was without the need for any 'Women's Struggle' or 'Women's Movement'. And the guaranteeing of such rights are not subject to change according to whoever is in power at the time. This is the difference between a System from the Creator of the Universe who sets laws which are just to all, and a system which is based on the flawed, limited, and biased minds of men (or women).
Additionally, Islam establishes that guaranteeing respect for the woman and securing all her rights, requires a set of values and laws which not only oblige men to honour women and treat them with kindness and respect, but details a whole set of laws which nurture this viewpoint in society, including prohibiting her sexualisation or exploitation for any purpose and severe punishments for anyone guilty of uttering a single word that violates her honour or of abusing her in any manner.
As Muslim women, it is now our time to show true courage in working to establish this Islamic system, under the shade of the true Khilafah state that will demonstate to the world....with regards to caring for the woman and protecting her wellbeing, welfare and all her rights....HOW its REALLY done!
By Nazreen Nawaz
--
-- However, what they don't ask is WHY women had to go to such extremes and suffering, including being demonised, beaten by the police, chaining themselves to railings, and throwing themselves infront of horses to secure what should be a basic right for every citizen of every state (male or female, black or white) - to elect your leader and representatives. And what they also fail to reflect on deeply is WHY after 100 years of having the vote, women in the UK continue to face epidemic levels of domestic violence (1 in 4 women with 2 women killed each week by their partner), sexual harrassment (over 50% of women and over 60% of girls aged 16-24), and rape (between 60,000 to 95,000 each year) as well as why fundamental pay gaps continue to exist betwen men and women who do the same jobs after countless gender equality and equal pay Acts.
Surely, the intensive struggle that the suffragettes or the civil rights movement had to go through in the face of such intensive opposition from those in power to secure basic political, economic, educational and social rights should highlight one of the major fundamental flaws of the democratic secular system...i.e. that it does not automatically guarantee people their rights. Rather, 'courageous' individuals have to fight the system to secure that which should have been granted to them by default.
Furthermore, simply having the vote is no guarantee for respect, good treatment, and protection from abuse for women. Rather, this depends on the value system and laws within a society and whether they nurture a viewpoint of respect or disrespect for women. And in a capitalist liberal society, that promotes sexual freedoms and celebrates the sexualisation of women that leads to cheapening and degrading their status, it nurtures mindsets amongst many men that are based upon the latter. Under such circumstances, one wonders how many more centuries will have to pass before women enjoy the respect they deserve?
Contrary to the belief in many western states, women did not first secure the vote in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. No! Fourteen hundred years ago, Islam established that men and women have the same political, economic, judicial, and educational rights, including electing their ruler and being elected representatives of their community to hold their ruler to account. This was without the need for any 'Women's Struggle' or 'Women's Movement'. And the guaranteeing of such rights are not subject to change according to whoever is in power at the time. This is the difference between a System from the Creator of the Universe who sets laws which are just to all, and a system which is based on the flawed, limited, and biased minds of men (or women).
Additionally, Islam establishes that guaranteeing respect for the woman and securing all her rights, requires a set of values and laws which not only oblige men to honour women and treat them with kindness and respect, but details a whole set of laws which nurture this viewpoint in society, including prohibiting her sexualisation or exploitation for any purpose and severe punishments for anyone guilty of uttering a single word that violates her honour or of abusing her in any manner.
As Muslim women, it is now our time to show true courage in working to establish this Islamic system, under the shade of the true Khilafah state that will demonstate to the world....with regards to caring for the woman and protecting her wellbeing, welfare and all her rights....HOW its REALLY done!
By Nazreen Nawaz
Allaah gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him."And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things." (6:17)
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment