Document Detail


Gender, religion and democratic politics in India.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20857570     Owner:  HMD     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
This article examines the impact of identity politics on gender equality. More specifically it explores the paradoxical and complex relationship of religion and politics in a multi-religious society and the complicated ways in which women's activism has both reinforced and challenged their gender identities. Contrary to the argument that religious politics does not always negate gender equality, the article argues that the Hindu religious politics and women's activism associated with it provides a compelling example of the instrumentalisation of women to accomplish the political goals of the Hindu right. It also examines the approach and strategies of influential political parties, women's organisations and Muslim women's groups towards legal reform and the contested issue of a uniform civil code. Against those who argue that, in the current communal conjuncture, reform within Muslim personal laws or Islamic feminism is the best strategy for enhancing the scope of Muslim women's rights, the article argues that such an approach tends to freeze identities within religious boundaries. It shows how women's and minority rights are used within the politics of religion to sideline the agenda of women's rights.
Authors:
Zoya Hasan
Publication Detail:
Type:  Historical Article; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Third world quarterly     Volume:  31     ISSN:  0143-6597     ISO Abbreviation:  Third World Q     Publication Date:  2010  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-09-21     Completed Date:  2010-12-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101084672     Medline TA:  Third World Q     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  939-54     Citation Subset:  Q    
Affiliation:
Jawarhal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Gender Identity*
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
India / ethnology
Politics*
Public Opinion / history
Religion* / history
Social Change / history
Social Conditions / economics,  history,  legislation & jurisprudence
Social Identification*
Women's Rights* / economics,  education,  history,  legislation & jurisprudence

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  On the bodies of women: the common ground between Islam and Christianity in Nigeria.
Next Document:  Religion, politics and gender in the context of nation-state formation: the case of Serbia.