Religious values and beliefs and education for women in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper explores the hypothesis that Islamic religious values and beliefs are antithetical to women's education in two cities in Pakistan: Lahore, generally believed to be a socially liberal city, and Peshawar, often regarded as the bastion of conservative values and norms. Leaders and members of selected religious organisations, and some members of women's rights and development organisations, were interviewed to ascertain their views. While there is universal support for girls' education, views on the purpose, content, and mode of delivery differ between men and women and also depend on respondents' position on the liberal/conservative spectrum. Some of the policy implications of the findings are discussed. Valeurs et croyances religieuses et éducation des femmes au PakistanCet article traite de l'hypothèse selon laquelle les valeurs et les croyances religieuses islamiques sont antithétiques à l'éducation des femmes dans deux villes du Pakistan : Lahore, considérée généralement comme une ville libérale sur le plan social, et Peshawar, souvent considérée comme un bastion de valeurs et de normes conservatrices. Les leaders et les membres d'organisations religieuses sélectionnées, et certains membres d'organisations de développement et de défense des droits de la femme, ont été interrogés pour qu'ils fassent part de leurs points de vue. Bien que le soutien en faveur de l'éducation des filles soit universel, les points de vue concernant la finalité, le contenu et le mode de mise en oeuvre diffèrent entre les hommes et les femmes et dépendent par ailleurs de la position des interlocuteurs sur l'éventail libéral-conservateur. Certaines des implications des résultats sur les politiques publiques font l'objet d'une discussion. Valores e crenças religiosos e educação para as mulheres no PaquistãoEste artigo examina a hipótese de que os valores e crenças religiosos islâmicos são contrá-rios à educação das mulheres em duas cidades do Paquistão: Lahore, conhecida em geral como sendo uma cidade socialmente liberal, e Peshawar, normalmente vista como o bastião dos valores e normas conservadores. Líderes e membros de organizações religiosas selecionadas, e alguns membros de organizações de direitos das mulheres e de desenvolvimento, foram entrevistados para confirmar suas visões. Embora haja apoio universal para a educação de meninas, as visões sobre o propósito, conteúdo e modo de implementação diferem entre homens e mulheres e também dependem da posição dos entrevistados no espectro liberal/conservador. Algumas das implicações da política dos resultados são discutidas.Fe y valores religiosos en la educación de mujeres en Pakistán Este ensayo examina la hipótesis de que la fe y los valores religiosos islámicos son incompatibles con la educación que se imparte a las mujeres en dos ciudades de Pakistán: en Lahore, considerada por lo general una ciudad socialmente progresista, y en Peshawar, conocida como el bastión de normas y valores conservadores. Se entrevistó a líderes y a integrantes de organizaciones religiosas y de o...

Religious Tolerance, Gender Equality and Bellicose Attitudes: A Comparative Study of Three Educational Systems in Pakistan

“…Bradly and Saigol (2012) found the same problem within the Madrassa education. They concluded that the curriculum taught in most of the Madrassas had different content for boys and girls.…”

“…Urdu medium schools are gender-separated after primary education, and Madrassas are gender-separated altogether. Furthermore, the Madrassa curriculum is different for boys and girls, supporting patriarchal values and male dominance (Bradley & Saigol, 2012). This might be one of the reasons that the students attending Madrassas held the most negative views on gender equality.…”

The Islamic Veil, the Domestic Environment, and Femininity

“…Fitna, by the definition of a Muslim feminist, Kasım Amin, can be interpreted as the chaos that results from sexual disorder caused by women [10]. 2 In the traditional Islamic social system, women's education [11][12][13] and taking part in social life as professionals were not considered appropriate [8,14,15]. Their inclusion in other social and political activities was not supported.…”

“…According to Islam, a mother can be around her male children without a hijab, but Jamia considers this against taqwa. 13 In addition, TV had been banned by the Jamia until recent years. However, to protect the followers from the modern attacks, the Jamia opened its own TV channel (Lalegül TV), giving followers access to TV.…”

“…Displaying feminine attraction, which is limited to older children, creates a conflicting situation for the participant, since children should be kept away from the symbols that evoke sexual desire in order to achieve the planned level of taqwa 12 and complete the moral education. 13 According to the principles of the Jamia, if female and male children see their mothers without hijab, even at home, after the age of 4, it will be against the taqwa. On one side, there is an obligation for parents to educate their children as religious Muslims, and on the other side, there are gender-based actions that are desirable and seen as proper.…”