Use of Patriarchy and Religion to Oppress Women Essay -- Islamic Women

Evil, sinful, lover of Satan are vindicatory a few adjectives used to describe women throughout history. Nevertheless, women were not forever portrayed as so. Women once held a strong and dominated fig within the society. In the ancient Egyptian society, women were equal to men in status and prestige. Within the XVIIIth Dynasty, women such as Nephertiti and Hatchipsoot reign the country In that period, Pharaonic women labored in textile and carpet manufactory, traded in markets and share in hunting side by side with her husband (El Saadawi. 1980, p, 108-1). Furthermore, women compete sports, drank, held positions of government, worked, etc. However, as time past and countries began to flourish, there was a trip in the socio-economic status in women. Women began reducing in standing. What Happened? Nawal El Saadawi, causation of The Hidden Face of Eve, strongly believes that circumcision is the cause of womens oppression and feeling of powerlessness. Ho wever, umpteen within the society believe that hold backed oppression is supported delinquent to religion, get toowership and the patriarchal system and they are utilized as in musical instrument of fear, oppression and exploitation.Circumcision is still practiced in many Arab countries because a womans virginity and maidenhead is extremely important. Behind circumcision lies the belief that, by removing parts of girls external genital organs, sexual desire is minimized (El Saadawi. 1980, p. 33). This procedure is not performed by a doctor but someone similar to a midwife. It is believe that rich incisions must be done in order to remove every(prenominal) the remains of the genital. Consequently, this may result in infection and even death. Furthermore, sexual frigidity is one ... ... patriarchal and class societies prevalent at the time. Nawal El Saadawi focuses on the patriarchal system as a major condition for the oppression of women. The shift between man and woman began when men realized the importance of land owership. Man recognized the association between land and having wealth and power. Landownership places them in a higher social, economic and political arena. In acquiring land, man must have someone to cultivate it since it bring down their status within the society to do. The oppression of a slave and women became apparent. Wives were a source of wealth since they shouldered many heavy tasks in some(prenominal) field and home without expecting any payment in return obscure from their keep. Their lot was that of unpaid laborers no better off than slaves (El Saadawi. 1980, p. 111).Work CitedNawal El Saadawi, The Hidden Face of Eve