Secularism, religion and women’s rights: a suggestion

By Razaw Abas Salihy: 

The reason we have human rights is to protect every individual in society, whether they’re part of a group or not. Individuals are very often part of two parallel groups within a society e.g. female and Muslim. Therefore, it would make no sense for rights to have a hierarchy of importance, nor is it logical for one to exist.  The idea of secularism will seek to protect many rights that one wouldn’t think were being infringed by religious manifestation. It would not phase out religion: on the contrary, it would allow much wider religious freedom and harmony between those who do and do not observe a particular faith. Where religion is an established element within a government, it creates a sense of involuntary duty, which goes against the fundamental idea of religion: that it is by choice of the individual. This is an obvious factor to anyone with the most basic knowledge of religion.

A secular state would, first of all, be able to police those manifestations and teachings that encourage infringement of other rights, such as the promotion of violence against women and children, as a means of “discipline” under the justification of religious customs (which is illogical and inconsistent with the peaceful nature of all religions). Or, the demeaning of the female gender as “the weaker sex”, when in reality the religious doctrine is intended for extra protection and respect of females, due to their often roles as mothers and wives. One can see that the biggest problem of a non-secular society is the purposefully wrong interpretation of certain religious doctrines to meet the views and interests of a small group, often male, that hold beliefs that are not only unacceptable to basic human rights’ law, but to religion itself.

Another factor a non-secular State will have trouble with is the inability to control unacceptable cultural customs to a civilised society when they are being justified by groups of people as their religious belief, and therefore right. A secular State that prioritises the protection of all human rights equally, would seek to, inevitably, eradicate such practices as honour-killing, forced marriages and, most horrific of all, Female Genital Mutilation. These barbaric acts go against every fundamental right of individuals such as the right to life, freedom to found a family, freedom of expression, freedom from torture and degrading treatment and right to personal autonomy.

It is evident that the manipulation of religious influences endangers the lives of women more than men. Many religious figures often express outright opposition to newly-passed laws that seek to erase gender inequalities, or protect women from violence. Though the Kurdish government has made many changes to institutionalised inequality against women, the influence of religious figures remains massive on the attitude of major parts of society, especially to those with limited access and exposure to good education due to living in rural areas or deprivation of education to girls due to poverty and sometimes by parents with chauvinistic views. The effect of these inequalities, that seem inescapable to most women, has resulted in tragic events such as self-harm and suicide. However, this is progressively decreasing as the government and NGOs create great impact on society and the law. The false religious justification of these acts must be fought with education and promotion of respect for human rights. Efforts such a nationwide mobilisation of seminars and workshops that emphasise the respect for individual rights above all will inevitably lead to further decrease in such events.

However, it is essential and only fair to point out that majority of religious figures insist that religion completely prohibits violence against women and children, which is the more reason to have a secular state that would only allow positive promotion of religion as a public interest policy. A major, and vital, benefit of secularism will be the policing of hate-speech, from and towards a religion, and the ability to distinguish between what is religious or cultural freedom and what is an intrusion on human rights.

It is important to point out that western countries were unable to embrace complete, and successful, protection of their human rights, and become a model for democracy and progress to the world, until they adopted a secular approach in their governments.

Therefore, it is vital to prioritise and implement a rights-based legislature that is stripped of one religion in order for many kinds of progress to take place in Kurdistan, most importantly in the scope of education which will lead to equal job opportunities for women in all fields, without prejudice. Our society and government must portray, and indeed become, the image of an equality-promoting, minority-protecting and a rights-based State and nation. It would be hypocritical if we don’t seek to promote each and every human right as a priority and foundation of our State, given our long fight for our own basic human rights, that still carries on in the remaining occupied parts of Kurdistan.

Finally, we must remember that Kurds have lived, and are known for living, in religious harmony. It is incorrect to say that all Kurds are, or ought to be, one religion because religions such as Islam, Yazidi, Kakayi, Zoroastrianism and others have historically all been majorly important communities who have been united under Kurdish traditions and customs as a nation and people. Secularism, for the inevitable independence of Kurdistan, will be key to the free, equal and tolerant nation that every Kurd is working towards. It is key to religious and cultural freedom for all, regardless of gender.

Copyright © 2012 Kurdistantribune.com