WILPF: The Arab Spring and Women's Rights

“Now, not tomorrow”

On 23rd January 2013, PeaceWomen in partnership with the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination and Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein organized the third lecture of our series on the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This time we were pleased to host Alison Boden, Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton University, who discussed ways in which the extraordinary political events in the MENA region since February 2011 have opened new opportunities related to women's human rights and women's participation in political processes, but have also created new challenges and threats.

The meeting was opened by Swen Dorning (Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein) and moderated by Maria Butler (PeaceWomen). As they both argued, the transition of a political system is a critical moment for advocating women's rights. This particular time sees both with great opportunities and real challenges for women and girls. The Arab States face such transition today.

Throughout the meeting Alison Boden, the guest speaker, raised a number of issues. She started with the argument that no religions are monolithic but they all are open to a broad spectrum of interpretations. What's more, religious law is applied selectively. Boden spoke further on the problem of no separation between religion and state in MENA countries, resulting in the continued abuse of some groups, which remains for the most part largely ignored. She also mentioned the issue of religious nationalisms which often resist globalization and consolidations of power.

When it comes to women's rights, Boden aptly noticed that religious traditions can pose a challenge to human rights and the human rights of women in particular, because “what is fair in the religions is not always what is equal”. Thus, religions may justify the divisions among people. This might be a serious problem for women's rights supporters who are at the same time religious activists. The real challenge for them is to maintain their religious integrity while also fighting to protect the human rights of half the population of their religious communities.

Finally, Boden commented on Egypt's and Tunisia's recent works on new constitutions. She was concerned with the lack of provisions for the protection of women as well as the lack of attention to women's participation in the public sphere.

The lecture provoked a heated discussion. The participants commented on several issues including the need for women's economic empowerment and the danger posed by the politicization of religions. Nevertheless, many remain hopeful for the emerging new legislations in MENA countries. How can religion have a genuine and healthy influence on it? Boden closed the discussion advocating for the freedom of religion whenever we allow religious influence on legislations.

Boden's remarks are available here.

This lecture was recorded and is available here.

The next lecture of the series on Women, Peace and Security will be held in February. More info will be published shortly.

If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact Barbara Trojanowska at barbara@peacewomen.org