Home
Resources
Women's Rights
Religious cultures that perpetuate inequality should not command deference.
Women's Rights

Islam, like most religions, imposes centuries-old dogma on women and demands their submission. Their role is as silent servants first and individuals second—and their treatment in Islamic states reflects this fundamental inequality. In too many of these states, women are explicitly denied rights afforded to men—freedom of movement, freedom to work, and freedom to wear what one pleases.

More broadly, troubling patterns in Islamic scripture and custom exacerbate gender inequality. It is women who bear the guilt and shame of “modesty culture,” not men. In many countries, women cannot initiate the process of divorce and are not entitled to any of the couple’s shared possessions, nor can they seek meaningful justice if they are raped by their husbands. And in the most extreme cases, a woman who fails to remain chaste and in her place risks honor violence.

Human rights—to blaspheme, speak, and live freely—are universal and do not discriminate by sex. No woman’s freedom or agency should be impeded for the sake of a religious text, and a religious culture that perpetuates inequality should not command deference.

what you need to know
49
Number of countries with no specific domestic violence prohibitions
80%
WPS Index's 10 worst countries for women's rights where a majority practices Islam
10
Percent of Muslims who live under a system where women are forced to wear head coverings
how we address this issue
what we advocate for
Ex-Muslims of North America advocates for the following policy actions in defense of the right to blaspheme:
All countries must explicitly grant women the same rights to secular divorce, inheritance, property ownership, and child custody as men.
All laws that place power over a woman's freedom of movement and autonomy with male guardians must be revoked.
Countries which mandate that women wear certain garments, or refrain from wearing certain garments, must revoke the relevant laws.
If you want to help us continue this work toward a world free of religious oppression, please donate today—as it’s only with the aid of people like you that we can continue to do what we do.
Related
A rise in honor-based violence in the Netherlands

The Dispatch Returns with New Insights

This week's Unbelief Brief exposes the harsh realities faced by women and dissenters worldwide.

The Unbelief Brief

Commemorating Mahsa Amini’s Legacy

Dissent Dispatch: Your Weekly Update

In this week’s Unbelief Brief, we look at charges against an Iranian actress for dancing in public and Erdogan’s vow to purge military officials for supporting a secular democracy.

A win for a female Afghan paralympic athlete!

Welcome to the Latest Edition

This week’s Unbelief Brief covers another victim of Iran’s draconian hijab law and the return of a conservative Islamic political party in Bangladesh.

Celebrating man’s best friend

Hello and Welcome

This week’s Unbelief Brief looks at the Taliban’s decree against the sound of women’s voices and how Pakistan’s Supreme Court is kowtowing to extremists. In EXMNA Insights we delve deeper into Islam’s disdain for dogs and the prohibition on keeping them as pets.Persecution Tracker Updates: Afghanistan and Pakistan meting out harsh blasphemy punishments

The Unbelief Brief

Our Thoughts on Apostasy Day

Welcome to Another Edition of Our Newsletter

This week’s Unbelief Brief brings you yet another disturbing enforcement of Iran’s hijab law, another clothing law in Tajikistan, and finally takes you state-side to Texas.

Enter our Meme Contest!

Greetings from Dissent Dispatch

Welcome back! This week:

Muslim Women in Sports: Limited by Modesty or Empowered by Having a Space?

This Week's Dispatch Awaits You

Thanks for joining us! This week we bring you Iranian human rights statistics and honor killings in The Unbelief Brief. We also discuss female athletics, the hijab, and the Olympics in EXMNA Insights.

The Unbelief Brief

The Olympics, child marriage, and a freedom of speech violation

Welcome back

The Unbelief Brief: the Paris Olympics have incited multiple issues, and a new Gallup poll shows a fascinating update on creationism.

Don't miss out
Stay up to date with our work, news and events
0 / 40
0 / 40
© 2024 Ex-Muslims of North America. All rights reserved.
Powered by Contentful