Malala Yousafzai, a staunch advocate of women and children’s rights, courageously promoted education in sharp contrast to highly ultraconservative policies of her native province in Pakistan. She publicly expressed her advocacies despite a grave attempt on her life by the Taliban. Malala was awarded the Nobel Prize—the youngest to win the laureate —and became a catalyst for outlawing discrimination against girls and advancing their right to education.
Sen. Santanina “Nina” Rasul, a distinguished colleague, pursued legislation by recognizing the indispensable contribution of women in development and nation-building. Senator Rasul had held various government positions representing Muslims and cultural minorities. She established the Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc., which works to develop literacy of Muslim women in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Dr. Aziza Al-Hibri, professor emerita at the University of Richmond and former United States Commissioner on International Religious Freedom, is in town. She has conducted notable studies that analyze the Islamic worldview and the need for new Islamic jurisprudence with the fast-changing trends and customs in both the Islamic states and Western economies.
I have the opportunity to share insights on the role of women in Muslim communities, together with Domini Torrevillas of Philippine Star, Ellen Tordesillas of Malaya and Carol Araullo of BusinessWeek on March 15. Dr. Al-Hibri presided the discussions hosted by the Embassy of the United States in Manila. She argued in her book, the Islamic Worldview: Islamic Jurisprudence, An American Muslim Perspective, that misplaced agenda and vested interests blur the focal point of Islamic philosophy that is justice.
Many Muslim women around the world have always been at the forefront of the crusade for equal rights, yet their voices are rarely heard. The intensifying upheaval in most global cultures to alter societal standards dominated by men presents an opportunity to create discourse for all women to engage in.
Scholars have pointed out how the political ultra-right and extremists distort Islam intrinsic beliefs that give equal recognition for both man and woman—granting fundamental rights to life, property, and opinion.
Enabling frameworks that will increase the participation of Muslim women in democratic processes are needed. For example, under the proposed Bangsamoro basic law, not less than 10 percent of seats in the Bangsamoro Parliament are reserved for women.
The Philippines, a leader in gender equality, can become a role model on empowerment of women in Muslim communities through various mechanisms such as education. Placing the voices of Muslim women on a better platform would help build institutions and shape societies that advance equity and fairness.
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