By Thalia Kattoura | Senior Editor

With the rise of intersectional feminism, particularly in the MENA region, efforts to acknowledge the struggles of women from diverse backgrounds have begun to take shape. However, given the historical geopolitical intricacies in the region and the complex ways in which systems of oppression are produced and reproduced, feminist circles in the Middle East and North Africa  (MENA) region have had to navigate through harsh political currents.

Sisterhood is a core principle in feminism that has emerged from women paying a major price in conflict and war concentrated zones. That same sisterhood has arguably been compromised as these women actively try to deconstruct the systems that they have inherited.

It is crucial to note that attitudes and behaviors can vary widely among individuals, and making broad generalizations about an entire group, such as women in feminist circles in the MENA region, may not accurately reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences within that group. With that being said, discussing some challenges and complexities in feminist movements in the MENA region can shed light on the dynamics involved, especially with regard to the feminist movement in Palestine.

Colonization as a weapon used by women against women:

In the simplest of examples, Julia Hartley-Brewer, a British journalist, was interviewing Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Dr. Mustafa Barghouti. As the interview progressed, Hartley-Brewer kept speaking over her guest, topping  it off with the following dialogue: “Oh my God. For the love of God, let me finish a sentence, man. Maybe you are not used to women talking, I do not know, but I would like to finish a sentence.”

Immediately after the interview, numerous Arab feminists have condemned Hartley-Brewer’s attempt at taking a feminist angle when yelling at Dr. Barghouti. This condescending take, as proclaimed by numerous MENA feminist organizations, displays a narrative that Arab women are oppressed to the point of their invisibility in the region. In turn, this dehumanizes Arab women and reduces their presence to being trapped away in their homes, serving their men. And while the reality of Arab women is not colors and roses, Arab feminists consider this a step back in the progression of the movement, especially when the liberation of women is being used to justify a genocide.

This is not the first time that Arab women are seen as lesser humans by their Western counterparts; comments by Western women circulating on social media posts in support of Palestine have criticized the state for being anti-women – scrutinizing them for enforcing the hijab and silencing their women. As a result, Israel is painted as a progressive entity that would never oppress its people in any kind. Arab feminist organizations have labeled that narrative as Zionist propaganda that has been used to justify the erasure of the state and the massacre of the Palestinian people (which largely includes women, rendering their narrative contradictory). And despite the glorification of having women in the IDF, occurrences that have been pointed out in the news expose their constant crackdowns on Palestinian women; in addition to the murders and sexual assaults that the IDF has committed towards them, a report done on the account of Amira Hass documents the following that happened in July: Two masked Israeli women soldiers with rifles and an attack dog forced five female members of a Palestinian family to strip naked, each one separately, in the West Bank city of Hebron in July. The soldiers threatened to release the dog if the women did not comply, the family says. 

In one of her articles, Maryam Aldossari, a researcher of gender equality in the Middle East, provides an analysis of this type of behavior by Western feminists towards Palestinian and Arab women: In this context, the Western feminist silence on the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza represents not only a moral lapse, but a political one as well. It perpetuates a brand of feminism intertwined with colonial and imperial power structures, which have historically inflicted harm under the pretense of protection.

Intra-group clashes:

The web of complexities has yet to be untangled as feminists within the same circle have begun to take different sides amidst the escalation of the genocide. Evidently, the MENA region reveals a more nuanced division than the ‘colonizer vs. the colonized’ reality. Many forms of resistance have long risen to liberate Palestine and impose their discourse on what it means to have a free Palestine.

However, the dominance of certain resistance forces in shaping the narrative and direction of the Palestinian cause has led to internal discord within the feminist movement. While these movements are celebrated for their commitment to national liberation, the critical lens of feminist activists and academics has highlighted a disconcerting reality. These very forces that stand as symbols of resistance and national pride have, at times, actively contributed to the oppression and subjugation of women within the areas they emerged from.

This revelation poses a significant challenge for feminists within the MENA region, as they navigate the complex intersectionality of national identity, resistance, and women’s rights. It prompts a crucial introspection within the feminist circles, urging a reevaluation of alliances and strategies to ensure that the pursuit of freedom is inclusive and does not compromise the rights and agency of women in the process.

The multifaceted nature of these challenges requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges the historical context, the complexity of power dynamics, and the need for solidarity. As feminists grapple with these intricacies, the path forward involves fostering a more inclusive and intersectional movement that not only seeks political liberation but also champions the rights and empowerment of all women, within the struggle for a just and free Palestine.

Links:

1. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240105-talktv-presenter-accused-of-being-rude-and-u%20nprofessional-with-palestinian-guest/
2. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2437396/media
3. https://www.newarab.com/opinion/we-must-challenge-racist-western-media-bias-palestine
4. https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/137446
5. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/1/4/for-feminists-silence-on-gaza-is-no-longer-an-o%20ption
6. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2019/10/palestinian-women-fight-for-their-rights.html