Challenging Gendered Islamophobia: Empowering Muslim Women Through CEDAW General Recommendation 40 on Leadership

Authors

Sarah Kawamleh, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School L'24

Abstract

This Comment examines the intersection of gendered Islamophobia and the empowerment of Muslim women through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) General Recommendation 40 on leadership. It begins by addressing the limited understanding regarding Muslim women's experiences within international human rights law frameworks. Through in-depth case studies and analysis, the Comment explores how CEDAW can be utilized to empower Muslim women and combat gendered Islamophobia. It highlights the challenges faced by Muslim women in accessing leadership positions, a struggle that is especially evident in certain countries like France, while also critiquing the limitations of CEDAW in addressing their specific needs. The Comment proposes change by calling for a redefinition of CEDAW to be more inclusive of Muslim women's experiences and by advocating for the recognition of their rights to leadership, religious freedom, and cultural identity, as detailed in the proposal section. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of holding States parties accountable for upholding these rights under CEDAW General Recommendation 40, aiming to advance gender equality and empower Muslim women as leaders on a global scale.

Repository Citation

Sarah Kawamleh, Challenging Gendered Islamophobia: Empowering Muslim Women Through CEDAW General Recommendation 40 on Leadership, 9 U. Pa. J. L. & Pub. Affairs (2024).
Available at: https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/jlpa/vol9/iss1/5