Muslim Women`s Perception of Equality. Case Study of Saudi Women

Abstract

Although, many researchers in Western countries are directed to explore women`s attitudes towards gender inequality, and many studies in Muslim societies discuss the impact of inequality and injustice on women`s lives, studies are directed to investigate Muslim women`s perceptions of equality, and the social factors that affect their perception. Based on questionnaires and interview with 150 working women in Riyadh, this study emphasizes that more Saudi support equality at the work place than in the family. They do not feel comfortable to use the concept " equality " . They believe that co-operation and complementation should be the basic of the male / female relationship inside the family. They do not support equality for biological, religious, and social factors. They believe that equality is a Western concept, and it causes many social problems. Thus, they just ask for their rights in Islam. The data show that there are different factors that affecting women`s conception of equality.