The collective imagination about women from Arab countries and the effort towards gender equality: Jordanian case
Institutional Affiliation
Independent researcher and policy advisor
Start Date
January 2026
End Date
January 2026
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
On-campus
Proposal Description
The main purpose of this paper is to propose a more accurate reading of women in Arab societies, focusing on the recognition of rights, gender equality, and the general well-being of the female population. Over the past twenty years, the words “Islam” and “Arab” have dominated the world’s stage, often reflecting a negative image of Arab society in general and Muslims in particular. This paper examines: how stereotypes and prejudice against Islam and Arab societies, particularly regarding women, have emerged; and what role Arab societies themselves play in addressing these issues. The essay draws on key references such as Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) and Saba Mahmood’sPolitics of Piety (2011) to discuss feminism in Arab countries, the fight for women's rights, and a deeper understanding of Arab women’s lived realities. Special focus is given to Jordanian women as a case study, looking at historical struggles for rights such as voting and marriage, student movements, and feminist activism, while highlighting success stories that demonstrate women's contributions in Jordan and internationally. Despite the global challenges women face, Arab Muslim societies are often uniquely targeted by stereotypes, particularly regarding women’s roles. These stereotypes serve external political agendas and impact Arab expatriates, affecting their daily lives, work, study, and identity expression. As a Muslim Arab woman living abroad, the author has personally encountered racist stereotypes and prejudices, which inspired the writing of this paper. By critically addressing these issues, the paper aims to offer a more nuanced understanding of Arab women's realities, efforts toward gender equality, and the broader impact on community strength and human security.
Keywords
Arab women, gender equality, stereotypes, Orientalism, Jordan, human security
The collective imagination about women from Arab countries and the effort towards gender equality: Jordanian case
The main purpose of this paper is to propose a more accurate reading of women in Arab societies, focusing on the recognition of rights, gender equality, and the general well-being of the female population. Over the past twenty years, the words “Islam” and “Arab” have dominated the world’s stage, often reflecting a negative image of Arab society in general and Muslims in particular. This paper examines: how stereotypes and prejudice against Islam and Arab societies, particularly regarding women, have emerged; and what role Arab societies themselves play in addressing these issues. The essay draws on key references such as Edward Said’s Orientalism (1978) and Saba Mahmood’sPolitics of Piety (2011) to discuss feminism in Arab countries, the fight for women's rights, and a deeper understanding of Arab women’s lived realities. Special focus is given to Jordanian women as a case study, looking at historical struggles for rights such as voting and marriage, student movements, and feminist activism, while highlighting success stories that demonstrate women's contributions in Jordan and internationally. Despite the global challenges women face, Arab Muslim societies are often uniquely targeted by stereotypes, particularly regarding women’s roles. These stereotypes serve external political agendas and impact Arab expatriates, affecting their daily lives, work, study, and identity expression. As a Muslim Arab woman living abroad, the author has personally encountered racist stereotypes and prejudices, which inspired the writing of this paper. By critically addressing these issues, the paper aims to offer a more nuanced understanding of Arab women's realities, efforts toward gender equality, and the broader impact on community strength and human security.
Keywords
Arab women, gender equality, stereotypes, Orientalism, Jordan, human security