From Academics to Activists
Femin Ijtihad (FI) stands for "critical thinking" of gender notions and laws. As a project for Strategic Advocacy of Human Rights, we work to bridge the gap between the flourishing academic research on Muslim women’s rights and grassroots activism. This purpose stems of the acknowledgement that many activists and lawyers have limited access to emerging scholarship, ideas and legal arguments on gender equity and may benefit from increased availability of such resources. … [Read More...]
Case Law Project
Case Law
The objective of the Program is to develop lawyers’ authority in women’s rights in Islamic law as well as their familiarity in case law and judicial opinions in South Asian courts. The program will assist lawyers on how to cite, deconstruct and confidently present women’s Islamic rights during case preparation and litigation in courts, on a series of issues such as: maintenance, rape, zina, child custody, right of mahr, divorce and others. Background There is a wealth of … [Read More...]
Research Program
F.I.'s Research Programs focuses on locating academic and activist articles, book chapters, or NGO-produced reports from a variety of disciplines (legal, theological, historical, anthropological, sociological, political science, and other social science methods) that analyze arguments on notions of exegesis of Islamic texts; contemporary legal reforms in Muslim-majority societies; various forms of Muslim women’s resistance; Muslim women in literature; and programs that empower men … [Read More...]
Academic Analyses
Lobbying for State Accountability for VAW
What is the standard of due diligence? How can you use it to develop arguments for accountability? The due diligence standard with regard to violence against women has been outlined within the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993).1 Regarding acts of violence against women, States should exercise due diligence to: Prevent Investigate Punish This should be done: In accordance with national legislation, Whether those acts are perpetrated by the state or by private … [Read More...]
In Support of Egypt’s Global Protest Against Sexual Assault
Sexual harassment and assault in Egypt has been a rather glaring concern for women and girls in the country. Although violations have been taking place even before the 2011 revolts, it was the Girl in the Blue Bra, the news of the virginity tests and Lara Logan’s story that woke the world to the harsh reality prevailing in Egypt. Though a grim reminder of the reality that challenges the women in Egypt, it is also a difficult truth to digest that these crimes came to light only because they were heinous examples. Much of the coverage no doubt, … [Read More...]
Techniques for Engaging Men in Women’s Activism
The need to engage in meaningful partnerships with men and encourage their participation in the design and delivery of women’s rights programs, has only been recently discussed in academic and activist circles. ‘Men as Partners’ is becoming an important field of study corollary - and supplementary to the discipline of women studies. It is becoming an inseparable, co-dependent element in both the study and practice of women’s activism. Whilst it is often claimed that half of the population (women) have been neglected, solutions to their … [Read More...]
Legal brief on Freedom of Expression in Human Rights Work
Legal brief on freedom of expression in human rights work The cases of the Yemeni human rights defender Samia Al-Agbry and the Sudanese activist, Jalila Khamis, give rise to questions regarding the recognition of specific rights of the individual within the Islamic legal framework. Samia Al-Agrbry Samia Al-Agrbry is a victim of a campaign of defamation and threat which culminated in a judicial complaint filed against her, accusing her of insulting Islam in Yemen. Jalila Khamis Jalila Khamil, a human rights activist, has been kept in … [Read More...]
Appeal for the release of Jalila and state accountability for arbitrary arrest and detention
Appeal for the release of Jalila In response to the petition to release Jalila Khamis, a humanitarian worker and activist in Sudan. Jalila Khamis has been kept in detention with the accusation of having undermined the constitutional system of Sudan. She could now face execution. The case gives rise to questions regarding the recognition of specific rights of the individual within the Islamic legal framework. Islamic Law The breaches of fundamental rights that are involved concern the right to a fair trial, presumption of innocence, … [Read More...]
