In my world politics class, many of the articles that we are reading are mentioning the belief that empowering women is the key to development. I agree with this. As a woman, I can say that there is an understanding that women are the key to furthering this world. It is something that I think that everyone knows without having to read any world politics article.
From here I wanted to shift to the western misunderstanding that the Chadri prohibits women empowerment. This is false.
The Chadri only has as much power as it is given.
Of course, if a woman is forced to wear this and does not want to then this is prohibiting her quest to further the woman's position in life. What about those who choose to wear the Chadri? A woman who wears the Chadri by choice among the western culture told me that she sees the Chadri as a blessing. She says, "Covered Body, Open Mind." For her, the Chadri is a source of empowerment. She does not have to abide by the constant female scrutiny that comes between women and their drive for just equality. For her, it helps her to see her true potential as a mind.
The same way the Chadri is used, clothing is used everywhere.
Short skits and Low cut shirts are another example of clothing that prohibits female empowerment. Once again, it only has the power that we give it. It is just as likely that a woman will say that she wears short skirts because she likes to feel the breeze! By changing the way that women in the world dress, we will NOT change our positions in society. The sooner that we get off of the idea that the Chadri, Burqa, and all other head coverings are holding back MENA and Islamic women, then the sooner we will be able to address the real needs and concerns of these women.
Asking them where they want to see change is the only real source of female empowerment in the region and the best source of development for the world.
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