The evolution of Muslim women's political participation

• Main Author: Aminudin, Rabi'ah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: HADI Relief 2023
• Subjects: HQ1101 Women. Feminism; JA Political science (General)
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107085/1/107085_The%20evolution%20of%20Muslim.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107085/; https://www.islamicity.org/88970/the-evolution-of-muslim-womens-political-participation/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Political representation happens when political actors speak and act on behalf of others in the policy-making process as Hanna Pitkin (1967) says “to make present again”. However, Muslim women are now facing great obstacles as they are struggling to gain their voices in the public space as the state disempowers them by limiting their ability to make decisions for themselves. For instance, Muslim women are not allowed to choose what to dress in public settings. In July 2021, a ruling by the European Court of Justice stated that women in jobs where they interact with the public may be fired for refusing to remove their hijabs. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, Muslim women and girls continue to struggle to receive a basic education since the government or their guardians either forbid it or they lack the funds to enroll in educational facilities.