Feminism, legal reform and women's empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

The issue of women's rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has gained prominence in research studies, policy debates and feminist activism. Area experts contend that for women to play a larger role in the economy and society is vital to the region's progress. But women in MENA still face gender discrimination that prevents them from reaching their potential, despite impressive gains in education and health. To varying degrees across MENA countries, discrimination against women is built into cultural attitudes, government policies and legal frameworks. The region's family laws codify discrimination against women and girls, placing them in a position subordinate to men in the family – a position that is then replicated in the economy and society. I briefly discuss recent trends in women's activism and family law reform in the MENA region, with a spotlight on Morocco, which adopted an entirely new family law in early 2004. The new Moroccan law drew on international standards and norms on women's and children's rights, the imperatives of national development and Islam's spirit of justice and equality. That a feminist campaign succeeded in altering family law in a MENA country, where laws are based on Sharia, or Islamic law, shows that effective coalitions can be built in MENA countries by linking social and economic development to women's rights. The Moroccan case demonstrates the links among research, activism and policy.