Femicide in the Middle East: Interview with middle east eye

Middle East Eye - Reform is needed to end femicide

During my time as Co-Director of Musawah, I was interviewed by Middle East Eye, on the spate of murders of women in broad daylight in the Middle East that happened within days and weeks of each other The thrust of my arguments were:

• The violence that women face across the globe is not based on a specific culture or faith or class. it is purely because they are women.

• Women in Muslim contexts are not recognised as legal entities in their own right according to state laws and so when we live in a legal context that says perpetrators are allowed to commit violence and harm to women with impunity and with the blessings of the law, it is no surprise that we have these incidents.

• It is really important that we question this idea that a woman is responsible for her own murder and harm because she maybe suspected of not complying with the rapists and the perpetrator’s rules. It is not the responsibility of the victim to make sure that they repel the attacker.

• Reform of these laws, claiming legitimacy by using the Quran and Islam, is possible and happening that is why Musawah is focusing on camping for family justice.

• If we are good enough for God then we are good enough for man.

Please watch here.