Moroccan Women Rights, The Journey of Khadija - Essay Example

Acquiring Background Information

Based on the recorded and determined history, Berbers' anthropological and geographical origins remain multiple. Berbers originated from Sahara, Nile Valley, and Sahara. Amazigh also referred to as Berbers, were pre-Arab inhabitant descendants of North Africa who lived in scattered regions across Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya, Libya. The Berbers geography influenced their participation on the independence struggles. Their geography also influenced the promulgation of the regional, religious and domestic policies. However, despite the decline of Berber numbers, the Amazigh identity movement rose to demand the re-evaluation for the collective identities that would translate their Berber culture and language to the center stage. The movement also demanded for the genuine amelioration for the adverse poverty conditions that featured the rural Berbers. Identity movement refers to an association seeking to enhance acceptability for specific individual features including sex, color, language, race among others. Despite that the famous Amazigh culture association being unstructured, the movement had a significant demands and objectives. The movement advocated recognition and adoptions of policies that will upgrade culture, economic and social attributes.

Part 2: Film review

Introduction

Women from all over the world regularly suffer violations of their human rights. Historically, some countries and communities have continued to suppress women’s rights through religious doctrines thereby suppressing the efforts to promote the rights of women. According to the Islamic doctrine, inequality among women is justified by the interpretation of Quran. Attaining equality among men and women and eliminating all forms of gender based discrimination are a fundamental human right and the global community should prioritize women’s rights to bridge the existing gap. The Journey of Khadija documentary which will serve as my thesis illustrates how women are discriminated against in morocco. This documentary is particularly informative because it addresses a wide range of forms of discrimination that modern Moroccan women are subjected to. In my opinion, the film offers a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which women experience discrimination which is a fundamental aspect in the process of developing countermeasures to effectively address gender-based inequality. This essay discusses gender based inequality where women are discriminated against in matters related to inheritance, employment, and careers in morocco.

The journey of Khadija documentary discusses the burden of unequal inheritance on Moroccan women. The country’s laws stipulate that upon the death of parents, daughters of the deceased are entitled to half of what their male relatives receive. When Khadija protests why women are treated differently by being allocated an inheritance equivalent to half of what women gets, the respondents say that it is what the Quran says and it cannot be changed. Employment is another major issue raised in the journey of Khadija documentary. First, it is evident that the right for women to seek employment is significantly limited by men. Some men indicates that they cannot allow their women to seek employment under whatever circumstances. On the other hand, some imposes conditions upon which they can allow their wives to be employed. One man stipulates that he cannot allow his wife to work in an office with only one man while another says that he can only allow his wife to work if a job is descent. The culture of employment discrimination is justified by Quran that commands men to work and take care of women.

From an early age, women are assigned roles by their parents contributing to the gender-based role differentiation among the Amazigh community. For examples, fathers buy toy pots and cleaning sets for the girls and cars and Lorries to boys. The Nador community favors education for the boy child and rarely educate the girl child thereby shattering the girl’s likelihood of pursuing a career. According to the Amazigh traditions, women are considered a weak gender and therefore assigned simple tasks, particularly household chores. As a result, there are careers that are believed to be reserved for men like taxi driving or even business. In Nador, almost all shops are owned and operated by men while there are no female taxi drivers.

Conclusion

Traditionally, Moroccan women had to enjoy appreciation from their male counterparts. Khadija’s grandmother, Mamma Allal is evidence of how women has been for a long time sought to challenge the superiority complex associated with the Moroccan men who use the Quran to justify the violation of women rights. Despite the changes in the contemporary world, men still believe that the guidelines set out in the Quran cannot be changed. However, much about the Islam faith has changed all over the world and women are starting to reclaim their long lost dignity. Today, women are increasingly advocating for equal rights among men and women which has made it possible for the disruption of the status quo. Though in small numbers, women today participate in political contests and work in jobs previously thought to be reserved for men. However, there is more to be dome as the modern women still exhibit inferiority complex and are afraid of challenging men’s authority thereby motivating men to violate their rights.

Film Discussion

• In the film, the protagonist Khadija interviews her uncle in a boxing gym. How are their views on gender and religion similar and divergent? How does this conversation impact their relationship?

Khadija and her uncle Ahmed share both similar and divergent views in a wide range of issues related to gender and religion. They both agree that women have been for a long time been treated differently and something should be done to correct that wrong- a solution should be sought. They also agree that it is unfair to limit women’s rights and give them to men. As such what is limited to women should be limited to men. They also agree that much about Islam has changed as the world evolves. However, their disagreement arises from the provisions of Quran. Khadija believes it is time some concepts about the Quran like inheritance are changed to conform to the modern day situation. She argues that times has changed and so should religion. On the other hand, Ahmed believes that it is inappropriate to change Quran as it would prompt people to revolt.

• How do Khadija’s Amazigh family and community relate to her? Which details of the film give evidence of this perception?

Khadija’s Amazigh family and community regard her as a strong and tough woman just like her grandmother mamma Allal. While discussing her career in Holland, Ahmed states that she is smart where Khadija responds that she is naturally Mamma Allal. Even though she had spent much of her life in Holland, the family still considered her as part of their family. When she returns to morocco, her grandmother, aunt, cousins and uncle gives her a warm welcome home. Grandmother Tama’nant calls Khadija ‘my dear girl’

• What empowers Khadija to challenge male authority – her upbringing in Holland or the influence of her grandmother?

Khadija’s motivation to challenge male authority was attributed to her grandmother Mamma Allal who was known for her courage to challenge men’s authority. At the beginning of the documentary, Khadija states that her grandmother was important to her and was her role model even though she died before she was born. Khadija describes mamma Allal as a self-motivated, and strong woman and considered her as a female model she could follow

• Khadija discusses traditional and progressive values with a group of women. What are these values? Do they manage to integrate them?

Khadija discussed a wide range of traditional and progressive values with a group of women. Some of the values discussed includes freedom of association between men and women which had been eroded, development of sexism among children, appreciation of women by men, and gender based injustices perpetrated against women. The women effectively integrates the values as they all share personal experiences and historical accounts.

• Khadija ends the film driving a taxi. What do you think is the filmmaker’s final message?

By driving a taxi, the male occupants seemed uncomfortable perhaps because they had not witnessed a female taxi driver before. I think the filmmaker’s final message is that women are as good as men if only the opportunity is provided to them to showcase their strength and abilities.

Bonus Question

Have you ever had an experience where your core beliefs were challenged? What was at issue and how did you answer the challenge?

From my personal experience, I have had my core beliefs being challenged sometimes. On one occasion, an atheist challenged me about the non-existence of God. I strongly believe that God exists but the atheist tried to convince me that God is a myth. In response, explained to him why I believe there is God. However, I avoided being defensive and agreed with the atheist that it could be possible that God does not exist. However, I did it only to avoid an argument and my faith in God was not influenced by the discussion. The rationale of my response was that everyone has a right to believe what he or she wants provided it does not interfere with the beliefs of other people.