Faiza Ali
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Abstract The concept of equal employment opportunity (EEO) for women in Islamic society remains largely unexplored. Despite significant female participation in the informal sector of economy in many Muslim countries (such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia), pre-existing socio-cultural, economic and legal infrastructures discourage female employment in formal organizations. Popular religious interpretations and local traditions promote the institution of sexual segregation, and discourage a woman’s role outside the four walls of her house. In this patriarchal setting, a woman who decides to step out of her house for formal employment due to economic, self-fulfilment or other reasons becomes an object of criticism and discrimination in the society and in the workplace. Within this context, I will examine the perception and viability of EEO in Islamic society from theological, social and business perspectives. I will explore the status of women in the light of principal sources of Islamic law such as Qur’an, Hadith and Shari’ah. In particular, I will examine the concept of Ijtihad (creative interpretation of Islam) and modern approaches towards gender equity in contemporary Islamic society. The research will be based on an exploratory study of the status and roles of women in Pakistani society and organizations as a representative case of Islamic society. Gender discrimination is one of the lesser-known factors contributing to Pakistan’s weakened economy. Women’s participation rate in formal labour is less than 15%, which is quite low even from the south Asian standards. The research is expected to identify some important issues and possibilities for gender equity in employment in Islamic society. Recent Publications “The contextual dimension of emotional labour for workingwomen in Islamic society”, with Jawad Syed, Academy of Management Conference, Honolulu, 5-10 August 2005 (forthcoming) “Diversity too diverse? Minority ethnic women in the Australian labour market”, with Jawad Syed, Making the Link Conference, Sydney, 21-22 July 2005 (forthcoming) “A historical perspective of the Islamic concept of modesty and its implications for Pakistani women at work”, with Jawad Syed, IFRWH Conference / World Congress of Historical Sciences, 3-9 July 2005, Sydney (forthcoming) “Iqbal, Islam and gender equity in Pakistan”, with Jawad Syed, British Sociological Association’s Religion and Gender Conference, Lancaster University, UK, 8-11 April 2005. “Prospects for equal employment opportunity for women in Islamic society”, with Jawad Syed and Professor Diana Winstanley, European Business Ethics Network (EBEN-UK) Conference, University of London, 31 March – 1 April 2005 |