UN Deputy Chief Stresses Women’s Contribution to Islamic Civilization
However, she said, in many countries they are still being left behind.
Addressing an international conference in Jeddah on the rights and the role of women in Islam, she called for action in the areas of education, economic empowerment and peace.
The conference was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Monday.
Ms. Mohammed said she was honored to be part of the discussion “on how we can return to Islam’s original and beautiful vision of measuring a person not by their gender but by the strength of their beliefs and the virtue of their acts.”
She recalled that from the start, Islam recognized women’s right to participate in political decision-making, to inherit, and to own property and businesses, “yet many centuries later, in many countries and in many areas of life, women have been left behind.”
She said it was “a sad fact throughout history” that women and girls often suffer first, and worst, but everyone pays the price as societies are less peaceful, economies less prosperous and the world less just.
“Today, women are being failed the world over. Our mothers, wives, daughters,” she said.
“Old forms of discrimination, violence and abuse against girls are worsening all over, while new forms of gender bias and inequality are often built into the algorithms of the new era of the digital world. “
Ms. Mohammed called for acting in solidarity on three fronts “to right the wrongs.” She said more must be done to secure the right to education for all people, especially women and girls, “because the Holy Quran demands it of us”.
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However, she stressed that education “must be defined by an inclusive, progressive, process that respects societal, religious and cultural norms that do no harm but give agency and dignity to all persons.”
She also referred to the human catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, reiterating the UN Secretary-General’s condemnation of the killing of civilians, and his call for a humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded access to people in need.
“We, in this region and the world, must all do everything in our power to end this horrific violence, pain, and suffering and return to the table of peace, only perhaps this time with women,” she said. “Our Muslim faith demands of us that we care for our neighbors in times of need.”
Source: news.un.org
