Panel presentation to debate the question, from an atheist, secularist feminist Point of view to Muslim Women:

 It is about PATRIARCHY, not all individual men  but an ideology and the institution.

Westminster University Muslim Women’s Group, 21st March 2013

What Will Liberate the Woman? 

By Sue Mayer 

The short answer is - for women to understand where the ideas that motivate and justify robbing women of their rights to autonomy, freedom and equality – come from?

The even shorter answer is ‘Getting rid of patriarchy’

The longer answer is HOW it underlies all the feminist issues of Autonomy, Freedom and Equality. Which would take too long for this meeting. But the current issues are: 


. Violence and physical and sexual abuse of women and children by  men . In Britain and around the world.

·       The killing of women and children, in sectarian conflict, in war, insurgency and terrorism

·       Criminal exploitation mostly by men of women trafficking for sex or labour.

·       Inequality in the workplace,  pay and pensions and representation.

·       FGM, Femicide and selective abortion of girl babies, and the lack provision of sexual and reproductive services.

 

Reported 21/03/13: Julia Gifford, apologises to the thousands of mothers in Australis, whose babies were forcibly taken for adoption because they were born out of wedlock as late as the 1960s

 

 
The abuse of women and children is the inevitable result of PATRIARCHY

And I am not going to address the question as an Islamic phenomenon  -because it applies to all patriarchy.  . ..   . In All the patriarchal religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam

I want to get to the root  causes of the attitudes,  and motivation that drives this controlling  behaviour. That as an atheist I believe run counter to the innate altruism of human nature. In Enlightened self-interest

Patriarchy is a male supremacist ideology

Patriarchal Religions are male supremacist organisations – that influence cultural institutions. 

 

They are based on the ownership of women and children  by men. As written by men.

 

Religons are elitist organisations

Their religion - as superior to those of others –

They promote ELITISM  & PREJUDICE   based on race, religion, colour, class and gender. 

Tribal Markers. So useful to ruling elites.

 

However you look at them. . . .

These religions are built on the idea of universal brotherhoods.

 

The belief in, worship of and obedience to an Almighty, Omnipotent Father God in heaven and his chosen people on earth. Men.

A step on from the sun gods of the earliest times.

In works in the family, in the workplace and all aspects of society except domesticity.

This makes it impossible for many men to assume that women are equal to men or have the same rights and choices.

They preach, teach and practice patriarchy on the presumption that women are inferior - physically and  intellectually – emotional and unreliable, like children and should be treated as such.  

They Create and Sustain patriarchy because it advantages them.

With men deciding what is good for women,  what they should wear, how they should behave, where they should go, what they should do  and with whom. & this is where the distorted attitudes to women and sex come in.

This does for - any notion that women should have control of their own bodies, on social, sexual and reproductive rights decisions.

 

The history - is of servitude, subservience,  submissiveness and domestic service for women. And conflict and domination by men.- And the subjugation and obedience of woman to the men who are responsible for their upkeep. Like pets to their owners.

Of  kind or cruel subjugation and fear of punishment for non-compliance and to deter rebellion.

Patrarchy is coercive and like all authority is  has to be enforced, reinforced  by threat of security, or fear of  punishment.

Women have been kept in ignorance refused the same educational opportunities and training that has kept them out of government, administration, academia, science and education. and many other opportunities to participate in society.

Women cannot be free from  the control of the men who own them unless patriarchal ideas  are seen for what they are. Power and Control.

Why has it been so successful? Come to be considered to be ‘natural’- 'Part of God’s plan? and therefore  'Unchangeable' ? - attitudes that make it so difficult to challenge however much evidence there is.


1) Its strength is built on the greater physical strength of most men and the vulnerability of women and children
 

    2) The recognition of the value of religion to political elites, rulers, kings, tyrants and dictators. With whom it             has colluded in oppressing their underclasses.

 
    3) The usefulness of religion in the military ethos, in conquest, and power and through the subversion of                 education as a tool of social control.


Women’s Rights and Children’s Rights are Human Rights

 

 

I would like to say a few words on education

 

It is being used as the panacea for women’s empowerment, but it is a two edged sword.

Women who become educated do not always become feminists or egalitarians.

In fact the opposite is often true.

You are a selected, and self selected group of women.

You are advantaged and you are very lucky.

But IMO you need to see Education for what it is and what is isn’t

 if you are to become part of a world that values all women.

 

Education is great if it is used to impart knowledge and understanding.

If it opens minds and develops critical thinking. Developing judgement and

Thinking things through.

 

Too often however  it is used as a very effective and subtle tool of social control.

Instilling opinion as fact. That IMO is an abuse of children’s rights to

honest and objective teaching.

.

Impressing the value of doing as one is told, without question.

Not making a fuss, accepting authority and conforming.