Skip to main content

Islamization in Gaza Erodes Women's Rights

Increasing Islamization in the Gaza Strip is eroding the rights of women, the latest sign of which is a new regulation at Al Aqsa University requiring all women to dress with “modesty,” writes Asmaa al-Ghoul.
Palestinian women attend a rally  in Gaza City to show solidarity with prisoners held in Israeli jails May 3, 2012. A hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners against Israel's jail policies has swollen in weeks from a protest by a handful to a national movement with around 1,400 participants.  REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR31JO6
Read in 

Al Aqsa University, a public university in Gaza, has introduced an Islamic dress code for women. After being characterized for more than 20 years by political and intellectual diversity, female students are now bound to adhere to a strict dress code, including an abaya (cloak) and hijab (veil) while on campus. The decision has caused uproar and sparked heated debates.

Dr. Naaman Ulwan, an independent academic and advisor for cultural affairs at Al Aqsa University, revealed to Al-Monitor that he did not know about the decision ahead of its announcement on Jan. 26, 2013. Ulwan affirmed that even if such decision was approved, it certainly complies with the conservative society of Gaza that does not tolerate attire showing women’s curves.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.