Why Do Islamist Regimes Restrict Women's Freedom?

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 13 May 2025 In the last few years, the world saw a disturbing trend: the incremental erosion of women's rights in Islamist regimes. From the Taliban in Afghanistan to extremist groups in Bangladesh, the restriction of women's freedoms has become a signature of extremist regimes. This article explores why these restrictions take place, reviews cases around the world, and discusses arguments against these discriminatory practices. Major Points: 1. Islamist regimes generally rationalize the restriction of women's freedoms by interpreting religious scriptures in a particular manner. They assert that these measures are essential to maintain moral values and safeguard societal values. 2. The repression of women's rights in Islamic countries has dire consequences, not just for the countries but for gender equality efforts around the world. The world must keep pushing for women's rights, support local organizations, and hold repressive governments accountable. 3. The suppression of women's rights under Islamist regimes is a multifaceted issue rooted in political, ideological, and social factors. While the challenges are formidable, global awareness, combined with local resilience and international support, can pave the way for a more equitable future. Recognizing and challenging these oppressive structures is not just a women's issue—it's a human rights imperative. ----- (From Files) ----- The Afghan Case: A Case of Gender Apartheid Since the Taliban came to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has displayed open evidence of gender repression. Girls and women were pushed out of public life, employment, and education. The decrees of the Taliban have kept girls out of secondary and higher education, banned women from working in NGOs and most government departments, and enforced strict dress codes. Women are not permitted to go to public places like parks and gyms, and they need to be accompanied by a male to travel. The world community has reacted in outrage. The United Nations has denounced Afghanistan under the Taliban as "the most repressive country in the world" against women's rights. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants against the leadership of the Taliban for persecuting women, a major step towards bringing oppressive governments to book. Bangladesh: Growing Concerns Over Women's Rights Bangladesh improved the condition of women, but recent trends are ominous. Islamist conservative political parties are trying to reverse the gains of women, challenging existing laws and demanding stricter enforcement of Sharia. Incidents of street harassment of women and opposition to women in authority suggest an increasing intolerance of gender equality. The government has reacted in a vacillating manner, trying to appease conservative forces without offending constitutional freedoms. The balancing act has proved counterproductive, erecting barriers to implementing policies undermining women's rights under religious and political pressure. The Underlying Principles of Gender Oppression Islamist regimes generally rationalize the restriction of women's freedoms by interpreting religious scriptures in a particular manner. They assert that these measures are essential to maintain moral values and safeguard societal values. However, most of the Islamic intellectuals and leaders are against such interpretations and argue that Islam is in favor of the dignity and rights of women. The Taliban has been extensively criticized by Muslim leaders around the world, including the Muslim World League based in Saudi Arabia. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has called on Muslim leaders to condemn the Taliban's policies and to lobby to criminalize gender apartheid at the global level. Beliefs That Lead to Women's Oppression Islamist regimes usually justify the restriction of women's liberty by the way they interpret religious scriptures. They claim that such restrictions are necessary to uphold moral values and safeguard social norms. Most Islamic scholars and leaders, however, reject such assertions, emphasizing that Islam affirms the rights and dignity of women. Gender differences are codified by law in Iran. Article 1041 of the Civil Code permits girls to marry at age 13 with the approval of a judge and their father, allowing child marriage to persist. Daughters have inheritance rights equivalent to half the amount provided to sons, and the legal testimony of a female is typically half that of a man in criminal and financial matters. These laws codify gender inequality and are reflective of a hard-line Islamic interpretation that others contend is more cultural than religious. (From Files) ----- Political Reasons and Control Political motivations play an extremely important role in the repression of women in Islamist regimes, beyond religious conviction. Dominating women's dress and conduct is a way of exercising control and stifling dissent. By insisting on tight dress codes and confining women to the public sphere, these regimes try to prove that they are morally superior and that they have an efficient society. In Afghanistan, the Taliban again gained control in 2021 and imposed harsh regulations on women. Women are prohibited from attending secondary and tertiary education, prohibited from working in most professions, and are required to wear a burqa if they leave their homes. Religious police regulate this, and violators face public beatings and other punishments. Cultural Norms and Patriarchy Cultural norms and male-dominated systems make it harder for women in Islamist societies to be free. Traditional ideas about gender roles often say that women should stay at home, taking care of children and housework. These beliefs are supported by laws that give men power over women in marriage, divorce, and child custody. In the majority of Arab countries, the principle of ta'ah (obedience) is used to legitimize male authority over women. The religious and cultural precept holds that men and women are equal in the sight of God but have different duties, with women expected to obey their husbands. Such a precept leads to domestic violence and the restriction of women's freedom because they are dissuaded from seeking education and work outside the home. Wikipedia Resistance and the Struggle for Equality Women in Islamist regimes keep fighting and resisting for their rights even under oppressive circumstances. In Iran, the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for supposedly violating dress codes, triggered nationwide protests. The slogan of "Woman, Life, Freedom" was used by the protesters calling for change. Schoolgirls participated in the movement by removing their veils and chanting anti-government slogans, defying the state and calling for institutional changes. The New Yorker Conservative Turkish Muslim women who once voted for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan due to his policies, such as permitting headscarves, now oppose him. Most young women believe that the government is keen on limiting the rights of women, particularly in violence against women and abortion. Organizations such as Havle, a Muslim feminist organization, advocate for women's rights through education and assisting the community, with an emphasis on the rights accorded to them by the Quran. Misinterpretation of Gender Norms By Islamists Most analysts believe that the mistreatment of women in Islamist countries is due to male-dominated traditions and cultural practices and not necessarily Islamic teachings. In Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan, for instance, stringent rules against women are typically defended in the name of religion, but these rules could actually be based on pre-Islamic tribal practices. Consider the Taliban. Their bans on girls attending school and women working aren't Quranic. Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad is quoted to have shown that "seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim." There isn't a single Quranic verse that states that women are excluded from knowledge or work. All the major Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the majority of West Africa, have major Islamist parties or political movements. However, women in all these nations are active in politics, education, and employment. This shows that all Islamicism-influenced societies are not the same and that there are many differing views. Another key point is that not all women in Islamist or conservative Muslim society feel constrained. Some wear the hijab or lead conservative lifestyles because they want to, not because they must. Such women tell us that empowerment is about being able to choose—whether that is dressing modestly, having children, or being in the workplace. Muslim women are resisting unjust interpretations of Islam within their own religion. Organizations such as Musawah, which promotes justice and equality within Muslim households, and feminist scholars such as Amina Wadud and Asma Barlas are re-interpreting religious texts in new ways that maintain women's equal rights. They argue that we don't need to abandon Islam to assist women—it simply needs to be re-interpreted. Cultural and Religious Factors It is noteworthy to note the influence of culture. In the majority of places with Islamist regimes, religious conceptions of gender roles play a bigger influence on legislation compared to religion. In South Asia and the Middle East, for instance, conceptions of honour, family control, and masculinity often drive the manner in which individuals live and rule. These conceptions are prevalent among Muslim and non-Muslim societies. Blaming Islam solely for gender oppression overlooks these complicated cultural matters. It also risks encouraging Islamophobia and uncertainty. It is truer to note that a combination of political, cultural, and religious factors—sometimes working in concert—influences the way women are treated in some countries. The majority of critics argue that although Western nations tend to complain regarding the way women are treated in Muslim nations, they fail to address issues at home. Women in Western nations continue to face lower wages, domestic violence, and political marginalization. Whenever Western media cover only Muslim women's sufferings, they tend to make people feel inferior in the wrong way and overlook similar struggles. In addition, Western intervention by governments to "free" Muslim women—e.g., in Afghanistan or Iraq—also tends to damage the women themselves. These invasions destabilize nations, breed extremism, and make things worse for women. Change has to be initiated internally by communities, by locals themselves, and not imposed from the outside. Global Reach and the Road Ahead The repression of women's rights in Islamic countries has dire consequences, not just for the countries but for gender equality efforts around the world. The world must keep pushing for women's rights, support local organizations, and hold repressive governments accountable. The oppression of women in some Islamist regimes is real and troubling. But it’s not the full story. Islam itself contains teachings that support dignity, equality, and justice for women. Many Muslim women around the world are fighting for their rights—not by rejecting their religion, but by reinterpreting it in empowering ways. To truly support women’s freedom, we need to look beyond headlines and stereotypes. We need to understand the diversity within Muslim communities and support the efforts of those working for change from within. The struggle for women’s rights in the Muslim world is not a fight against Islam—it’s a fight against injustice, ignorance, and misuse of power. Efforts such as FIFA sponsorship of an Afghan women's refugee soccer team indicate the ability of international institutions to empower women and subvert exploitative norms. Yet, global solidarity and sustained efforts must be assured in order to secure women's rights worldwide. 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