Women in the Middle East

by Khamsin Collective, Hamida Kazi (Contributor), Nira Yuval-Davis (Contributor)

The position of women in the Middle East and their role in the various processes for social and political change are of crucial importance for an understanding of the societies of which they are part; and in considering general issues of women's struggles.

The articles in this book are mainly concerned with various aspects of women's political roles in the Middle East. Of special importance is the issue of the relation between specifically women's struggles and general political struggles; and too, of the relationship between Israeli and Jewish Palestinian women.

Also included are articles that examine the social and cultural contexts in which women in the Middle East exist - both in the Arab world and in Israel.

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1987

Reviews

[Alp Yüksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Nira touched on the topic of womens place and expected contribution to the Zionist cause. Albeit it is conceived and propagandized as empowering and sanctuarylike by some cough cough WHITE feminists such as Dworkin and Freidan; it is absolutely oppressive and sexist. The Jewess is seen as an IDF soldier factory, only expected to pump out babies and take care of the household. I also love how she touched on the topic of internal racism in the Israeli community. The Mizrahis, to this day, are treated as second-class citizens (I am not even gonna mention the treatment of the Ethiopian Jews) which once again illustrates how and why Israel is a WHITE state and NOT a Jewish one.

[Amal Jamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of five papers written by various women within the Arab region each describing women’s involvement in different societies. Very short and interesting read.