Unveiling Modest Femininities: Sexuality, Gender (In)equality and Gender Justice

Abstract

AbstractThis paper theorizes the juxtaposition between gender justice and gender equality within Islamic feminism, through the empirical analysis of gender practices in Pakistani banks. Theoretically grounded within Islamic feminism and informed by secular feminism, the paper discusses the findings emerging from two ethnographic studies aimed at exploring the influence of ‘religiously motivated’ patriarchal norms on experiences of gender inequalities in financial institutions in Pakistan. The research reveals that distinct practices and expectations exist in different organizations, specifically in the context of Islamic banks when compared with western banks operating in Pakistan. Gender oppression thus assumes different meanings, as gender norms and sexualities are differently negotiated by women and men in the two banks. While the Islamic bank enforces gender segregation and isolation and limits interaction among the genders according to orthodox Islamic practices, the multinational western bank provides a more equal and integrated work environment, though we observed the exploitation of femininities to pursue business objectives. The discussion further theorizes Islamic feminism by problematizing gender justice and its relation to gender equality in Pakistani workplaces and society.