Gender and the Various Nationalist Movements

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Gender and the Various Nationalist Movements The various nationalist movements in the Middle East were not based particularly on gender revolution. However, the movements brought about a change in the role of women in public. The revolutions were not defined by gender roles but there was a call by both men and women for regime change. Changing the traditional regimes meant that there was a desire from the people for old practices to be ended and with that came the questioning of traditional patriarchy, which was the norm for many of these Arab societies. In some nationalist movements gender roles were used as symbols in maintaining tradition and cultural identity. The status and treatment of women became a big part of nationalism. Some regimes banned vailing as to Westernize in order to keep Iran independent. This included Kemal Ataturk and the Shah of Iran. Although some women were glad to ban the veil, others felt religiously disrespected since it was their own way to publically display their faith. To some, banning the veil felt like an abandonment of their culture. But in order to gain Western approval, the Middle East felt the need to In 1899 under Qasim Amin’s nationalist movement arose a similarity to Europe and America’s thoughts on women. It was recognized that mothers had great influence on their sons and therefore had the opportunity to mold them into good citizens. Because of this, there was a movement to increase women’s education and status. (This movement also obviously included a push for educated men as well). By making connections between education to nationalism, Qasim felt that heightening the status of women would better the nation. He also believed that vailing was no longer a part of Islam but a method of control and therefore pushed for an end to the veil. Qasim was not the only one devoted to expanding education and women’s rights.
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