Women in Islamic Communities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Women in Islamic Communities - Essay ExampleReservations raised by Islamic countries are mainly on the grounds that some of the Articles in the CEDAW violates Moslem law - the Shariat.. By claiming that the Shariat is inviolate, Reservations by Islamic countries on the CEDAW serve to perpetuate gender discrimination and the continued subjugation of women.CEDAW provides a universally accepted plan to combat gender inequality by addressing the issue of discrimination in various fields. CEDAW defines discrimination as, Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the primer coat of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field (Wikipedia). In implementing the above, Reservations raised on the CEDAW can be broadly categorized a s those arising out of incompatibility with existing domestic legislation, on practical grounds and those that are contrary to the Shariat.Incompatibility with National Laws. ... Ireland, on the other hand has reserved its right to maintain its domestic provisions on social security as existing laws are more comfortable to women.Problems with Implementation. Some of the Reservations are more practical in nature. India, for example, while fully supporting CEDAW and the principle of compulsory reporting of marriages, has expressed its inability to do so due to various reasons including inadequate administrative back-up, low levels of literacy and poverty. Similarly, countries having a federal form of governance, have sought more time to bring in fitting legislation that would make the provisions of the CEDAW applicable across the board. These reservations do not, therefore, reject the aims and objectives of the CEDAW but entirely highlight the efforts being made by such countries t o do away with gender discrimination.Conflict with the Shariat. Reservations that are incompatible with the provisions of the Shariat are, however, the most common and mostly emanate from Islamic countries. For example, Bahrain has reserved its right to implement the CEDAW only within the bounds of the Shariat. Bangladesh, another Islamic country, commits that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of the CEDAW as they conflict with Shariat law based on the sanctified Quran. By mixing religion and human rights, in particular those of women, the influence of religious institutions over interpretation and application of Muslim womens roles and rights are over emphasized. These conflicting policies towards gender equality have made the CEDAW irrelevant in Islamic countries.Reservations on certain articles of the CEDAW in no way dilute the importance of