Gender Inequality in Homeira Qaderi’s Dancing in the Mosque

Abstract

Gender inequality is a basic problem, a social fact, and a situation that women and men are not equal. It has been a controversial argument in Afghanistan since many centuries so far. Over two decades, under the Republic State of Afghanistan, attempts to empower women and achieve gender equality have been made, but it has not been sufficient. The Republic State of Afghanistan joined all international conventions and declarations and pledged to uphold gender equality and women’s rights in this regard. Similarly, gender equality was theoretically supported in Afghanistan’s official laws, particular departments were established in the majority of governmental organisations, but women had a relatively low participation rate in official authorities in 2021, just before the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s government was overthrown. Furthermore, radical Islamists were actively spreading misinformation about women’s rights and gender equality in mosques, schools, and academic institutions. Homeira Qaderi, an advocate for gender equality and women rights, published her autobiographical book, Dancing in the Mosque in 2020. The concerns that Qaderi focuses on are crucial and significant for Afghan women. She writes on immigration, polygamy, Islamic extremism, tribal culture of Afghan society and approaches these topics from a critical stance. The primary theme of this book is gender equality and women’s rights in Afghanistan. She suggests civil rights, gender equality and activism for women of Afghanistan in her writings. This paper will examine gender equality, social justice, and women rights in her named autobiographical work. It will increase expectation for equality and end gender discriminations.