Status of women defined in the Arab culture Assignment

Status of women defined in the Arab culture - Assignment Example Many aspects in the Arabian cultures and including religion evidently show that Arabian men and women do not share equal privileges and rights in society. Women in Arabian countries hold lower status than that of their male counterparts. Most Arabs in Arabic countries, and those found in different parts of the world are known to follow the Arabic principles and customs. Although Islam is dominant in Arabic states, some Arabs belong to the Christian faith, while others are Jews. However, these still adhere to some of the Islamic principles. Therefore, the religion of Islam plays the major role in determining the different ways through which Arab men and women interact, including their status in society. Since Islam is a religion that has been present for many years, it is considered part of the culture in Arab countries, and this highly influences different social and cultural aspects of Arabs. The mainstream, secular discourse believes that Islam is oppressive to women. This is reflected in various practices in the Arabian cultures, which require women to act differently from men, in a rather discriminatory manner. For instance, women’s dressing is highly restricted. In most conservative Arab countries, women can only dress in clothes covering their whole bodies, and even veils for the head and face, as some allow women to only show their eyes, and not any other part of their bodies. This is in addition to many other practices, including those involving property ownership, which undermine women in Arab countries (Desiree Web). The status of women in Arab countries is directly related to the religion of Islam. In past times, women in Arab countries were secluded, and were not given the opportunity to take part in the public life. Women were rather confined to their private lives only. After independence however, Islam countries such as Tunisia have considerably changed the status of their women