It is undeniable that women in muslim majority countries still get less access to health, education, laws, politics and livelihood. Moreover, they get violence, sexual and verbal abuse both in public and domestic place. Meanwhile, Islam holds values in protecting women that manifestated in hadith and many verses of Quran as the holy book of Islam. Why is that? Following research would explain those problems why.
Distinction Between Gender and Sexuality
There is a big distinction between gender and sexuality. Gender is a terminology related to women and men role that can be exchanged. Gender was created by culture, social construction and religion values. For example, in some society, parents taught they girl more to cook because girl should cook for her future family. Cooking for family is 'ladylike' stuff that has to be done by women, cooking is not 'manly' stuff. Another instance in some traditional society women are not allowed to access higher education, because higher education is men prerogative rights. Women do not need higher education because in the end women will stay in the domestic place only. In fact, these roles can be exchanged, everybody can cook, everybody can study equally, men and women. The key word in gender is role.
Whereas, sexuality can not be exchanged. Oxford dictionary defines sexuality tends now to refer to biological differences. Sexuality created by nature. Deliver babies and menstruation are some instances for women sexuality. Men can not deliver babies, men do not have womb, while women do not have Adam's apple.
Gender in Islam
Islam regulates women role and women protection in two primary sources of the religion. Muslims believe that the Qur'an consists of the word of God revealed in Arabic by God to the Prophet Muhammad over a twenty-two year period. A hadith is a saying of Muhammad or a report about something he did for example to the following generations of muslims in many aspect of life. Here are the texts protecting of women rights in Islam;
"O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran Surah (QS) 33: 59)
"Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male and female)." (Hadith Al-Thabarani, Ibnu Mas'ud)
"And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing." (QS 04 : 32)
"you (women) have been allowed to go out for your needs." (Hadith narrated by Aisha)
"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do." (QS 16 : 97)
A woman named Khansa Bint Khidam once came to the Prophet and complained: "My father has forced me to marry my cousin in order to raise his own status (in the eyes of the people)." The Prophet told her that she was free to dissolve this marriage and choose whomever she wished to marry. She replied, "I accept my father's choice, but my aim was to let the women know that fathers have no right to interfere in the marriage." (Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)
Previous Research : Women Rights Abuse Happened Mostly in Muslim Majority Countries
Some of facts of women rights protection in muslim majority countries are showed the contrary compare to the Islamic values. First finding was revealed by Thomson Reuters Foundation Survey titled "World's five most dangerous countries for women 2011", according to that survey, Afghanistan is considered as the worst country in respecting women rights, followed by Pakistan, India, Somalia, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.
On the other hand, Canada, Germany, Britain, Australia, France and United States of America are considered as the best in respecting women rights that manifestated in the figure of women paticipation and policies. This result was measured by some indicators such as quality of health, education participation, freedom from violence (rape, sexual abuse and forced marriage), freedom from trafficking and slavery, and participation in politics. 370 gender specialists in G20 countries were asked to fill the instruments. This result could be a paradox. When women should wear hijab to protect theirself, at the same time those biggest hijabers countries have the largest amount of violences against women. Respondents to the poll frequently cited discrimination as the root of many dangers to women; less protection, laws discriminations and cultural values.
Latest research, The Global Gender Gap Report 2013 published by World Economic Forum, measured the level of economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment in 136 countries. The result can be seen in the table below :
Small Acts We Could Do Further
Protection of women rights in legal way clearly manifestated at Millenium Development Goals, and United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). In the context of Indonesia, so far 29 policies to protect women and children rights were created. As a part of community, we can support those policies by doing these things:
1) Empower ourself as women. Education and public area participation are clearly ways to empower women. Women's education is the initiative of empowerment to find and sound women ideas confidently. Those two ways are really worked for many single mother cases in raising their kids.
2) Knowing our rights and obligation in work place including Women Workers Protection Act (stated in UU No. 13/ 2003), maternal holidays (cuti hamil, melahirkan). Sparing time to read policies and books could be very informing, instead of talking unecesarry things at work.
3) Discuss every decission related to household with partners. Many of household violences toward women were happened because of less discussion.
4) Listen to our brain before speaking.
5) Speak up. If something happened related to women mistreat, never hesitate to call or consult to National Committee of Women (Komnas Perempuan), Service Unit in Resort Police (Unit Pelayanan bagi Perempuan dan Anak di Polres), Integrated Service Center for Women and Children (Pusat Pelayanan Terpadu Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Anak (P2TP2A)), Migrant Care, and Women's Crisis Center (WCC).
Locations :
1) Institut Perempuan Bandung (Partner of Komnas Perempuan) : Jl. Dago Pojok No. 85, Bandung 40135. Tel/ Fax 022-2516378
2) Pusat Pelayanan Terpadu Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Anak (P2TP2A) : Jl. Jend. Ibrahim Ajie No. 84, Kiara Condong, Bandung. Tel/ Fax. 022 - 723 0875
3) Yayasan Jaringan Relawan Independen (JaRI) : RS Bersalin Emapuradireja
Jl. Sumatera No. 46 - 48, Bandung. Tel. 022 - 4224348
4) Sapa Institute (Pusat Pendidikan, Informasi, dan Komunikasi Perempuan)
Jl. Ebah RT 01/ 03 Desa Cipaku, Kecamatan Paseh Kabupaten Bandung 40383
Telp. 022 - 5957433, Email. sapa_bdg@yahoo.co.id
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