The Socio-Economic and Administrative Empowerment of Women in Selected Muslim Countries
Practices and Issues
Abstract
A stereotypical opinion about the role of Muslim women prevails. Most of the current literature presumes that Muslim women are not as efficient as women in the Western world because of religious, social, and institutional norms. This article assesses this opinion and surveys the literature published on the socio-economic and administrative role of Muslim women in different periods of Islamic history, i.e., the early period of Islam, the medieval ages, and the contemporary period. This study argues that Islam has given proper rights to women and appreciated their role in different socio-economic fields. If Muslim women are not participating in socio-economic and administrative activities, it is due to the culture in which they live but not because of religion. After a review of the published literature on the above subject, this study concludes that in different periods of Islamic history women played a significant role in different dimensions of life. Their role in childcare also has a significant positive impact on the family life of Muslim households. Moreover, in Muslim societies, the value of unpaid work is well recognized.
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