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Image source: My Stealthy Freedom (July 2022)
Author: Charmaine Hedding, Shai Fund President (October 25, 2024)
Introduction
In a world where conflict and extremism have deeply affected vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, there is a growing need for strong advocates of religious freedom. One of the most powerful forces driving this change is the empowerment of women advocates who challenge restrictive practices and advance human rights.
Based on my experiences working on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) and alongside incredible women across the MENA region, I felt inspired to write this blog. I wanted to share some of the key trends, challenges, and opportunities I’ve seen in advancing FORB with a special focus on the role and empowerment of women advocates.
Trends and Challenges in the MENA Region
The rise of extremist ideologies, such as those propagated by ISIS, the Iranian regime, and the Taliban, has led to widespread questioning within affected communities. These ideologies not only restrict religious freedom but also directly attack gender equality. The Islamic State specifically targeted women and freedom of religion as part of its broader campaign of terror. In Iraq and Syria, the group not only carried out genocide and ethnic cleansing against religious minorities like Yazidis and Christians, but also weaponized the oppression of women to enforce their extremist ideology. Women and girls were brutally enslaved, sold into sexual servitude, and forcibly converted, often under the guise of religious justification. By controlling women's bodies and religious choices, ISIS aimed to erase both individual freedoms and entire religious communities, while using violence and forced conversion as tools to suppress religious diversity and gender equality.
Extremist groups often use distorted religious norms to oppose gender equality and to justify violence against women. This results in the systematic erosion of religious freedoms and human rights, with women being disproportionately affected. The brutal consequences of these oppressive ideologies—such as mass killings, the enslavement of women, and executions for minor infractions like wearing a hijab improperly—have led some women in Iran to risk their lives in pursuit of change. These women are standing up against a regime that controls their bodies and religious expression, using the hijab as a symbol of broader systemic oppression. By protesting, they are not only challenging the restrictive dress codes but also demanding their fundamental rights to freedom, dignity, and equality. Their defiance represents a larger fight for justice and a rejection of the deep-rooted repression that has governed their lives for decades.
The Rise of Women as Advocates for Change
In this atmosphere of repression, the empowerment of women has emerged as a key driver of social change. The rise of social media has allowed women to become powerful change agents, transcending traditional barriers of religion, geography, and social status. One notable example is the women-led civil resistance movement in Iran, which was sparked by the murder of Mahsa Amini for a minor violation of hijab laws. At the forefront of this movement is Masih Alinejad, a courageous woman who has spent years advocating for change through platforms like Facebook and her “White Wednesdays” campaign. Her activism has galvanized women across Iran to protest the compulsory hijab and challenge the regime's oppressive policies. As a result, what began as a fight for women has now evolved into a broader demand for human rights, religious freedom, and ultimately regime change across all sectors of Iran.
Notably, the symbol of the hijab, representing a lack of religious freedom, has become a rallying cry for the rights of women and others across the region. Just as the Berlin Wall symbolized the fall of communism, the choice to wear or not wear a hijab has come to represent the struggle against the Iranian oppressive regime, and the greater fight for freedom in the MENA region.
How to Empower Women Advocates for Religious Freedom:
There are numerous ways to empower women advocates for religious freedom, as seen in the success of grassroots movements across the MENA region. A prime example comes from the case of North-East Syria, where women’s participation in leadership has led to significant advances in gender equality and religious freedom.
Gender equality and religious freedom are deeply interconnected because both are rooted in the fundamental right to personal autonomy and dignity. Religious freedom ensures individuals can choose and practice their faith without coercion, while gender equality guarantees that individuals, regardless of gender, can exercise their rights and freedoms on equal footing. In societies where religious freedom is restricted, women often bear the brunt of these limitations. They face additional repression through enforced religious norms, such as dress codes or roles defined by extremist interpretations of religion.
For example, when women are denied the right to choose how they express their religious beliefs, whether through the compulsory wearing of the hijab or through restrictions on public participation, both their gender and religious freedoms are violated. Conversely, when gender equality is prioritized, women are empowered to freely engage in religious practices, to make choices about their lives, and to contribute equally in both religious and societal spheres.
In essence, promoting gender equality enhances religious freedom by ensuring that women, like men, have the right to choose and express their beliefs without fear of discrimination or oppression. Both freedoms must coexist for a truly just and inclusive society, as limitations on one often lead to the erosion of the other.
Since 2012, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has implemented a groundbreaking constitution that mandates at least 40% female representation in elected bodies and political parties. This model has provided a safe haven for religious minorities, such as Christians and Yazidis, while offering a stable and inclusive form of governance that stands in stark contrast to the repressive regimes surrounding the region.
Women advocates in North and East Syria have played a critical role in building this unique model of governance, which serves as a beacon of hope for the broader MENA region. By organizing grassroots networks across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Turkey, these women have built powerful alliances and influenced local and national politics. Their efforts demonstrate the power of training and education in raising awareness about human rights and empowering women to take on leadership roles.
Key Lessons from Women Advocates in the MENA Region
1. Grassroots Organizations: The success of women advocates in the MENA region often begins with grassroots movements. By organizing locally and connecting with regional and international networks, women are able to create resilient structures that challenge restrictive cultural norms and legal frameworks.
2. Training and Capacity Building: Empowerment through education and training is crucial. Women must be equipped with knowledge about their rights, as well as the tools to navigate the specific challenges they face in their local contexts. Regular training on advocacy, public administration, and policy development is essential to enabling women to fully participate in society and government.
3. Leadership and Representation: When women are empowered to take on leadership roles, it leads to transformative change. In North-East Syria, the 40% mandate for female representation in government has altered decision-making processes, bringing more inclusive policies that benefit the entire community. This model shows that gender diversity in leadership is key to achieving broader human rights goals, including religious freedom.
4. Male Allies: The role of male allies in promoting gender equality and supporting women’s leadership should not be underestimated. Men who recognize the benefits of gender diversity in decision-making and governance play a vital role in fostering an environment where women can thrive and influence change.
Conclusion
The fight for religious freedom in the MENA region is deeply intertwined with the empowerment of women, and the Iranian “Women, Life, Freedom” movement is a profound example of this. Sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, this movement ignited a wave of activism that has mobilized women across Iran and beyond. Women have used the symbol of the hijab, not just as a representation of personal choice in religious freedom, but as a broader cry for their fundamental human rights. The movement calls for an end to state oppression, gender inequality, and restrictions on religious freedom—demands that echo the Berlin Wall’s fall, signaling hope for liberation from repressive regimes.
The “Women, Life, Freedom” movement is about more than just religious freedom; it encapsulates the fight for gender equality, political reform, and the broader human rights framework. Empowering women in this movement and across the MENA region means supporting their leadership roles, amplifying their voices, and ensuring that their contributions to peace and stability are recognized. The courageous women of Iran, and similar advocates across the region, are not only symbols of resistance but also architects of a future where both religious and gender freedoms can coexist.
As we look to the future, the lessons from North-East Syria and the women-led civil movements in Iran provide powerful models for how women can advance religious freedom and human rights. The call to action is clear: we must continue to support and raise up women advocates, ensuring that they have the tools, platforms, and international solidarity necessary to amplify their voices. Together, by championing the rights of women, religious freedom, and human rights, we can work toward creating lasting change across the region.
Empowering women advocates is not only essential for advancing religious freedom but also for building societies where equality, justice, and human dignity are protected for all.
Charmaine Hedding, President of Shai Fund (October 2024)