Region | Palestinian Territories

Hamas policy for women draws mixed reaction

Since taking power, Hamas has put more women in the workforce, but its working conditions have drawn mixed reactions from women.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 09:27 August 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

Gaza: Since taking power, Hamas has put more women in the workforce, but its working conditions have drawn mixed reactions from women.

Female police officers go unarmed during drug busts and are required to wear a long robe and head scarf. During interrogations with male suspects, a male colleague must be present.

Lieutenant Mariam Al Bursh said she does not mind the measures. "These limits are to the benefit of women. Not against them," she said.

Hamas officials said it is happening by persuasion, not coercion. Jamila Shanti, a parliament member, dismissed the suggestion that Hamas is setting women back.

"We are in politics, in technology, in advanced studies. We are in parliament," Shanti said, echoing the Hamas government's statement that it employs more women that Fatah.

Women students outnumber males at Gaza City's Islamic University. More women have also been allowed to appear on several TV programmes.

However, women's rights campaigners in Gaza claim these changes are misleading and that Hamas' long-term strategy is to restrict their rights.

Activist Nadia Abu Nahla said it is impossible to get permits for women's rights demonstrations. "This democratic mobilization is not present," she said. "Women are afraid."

Noha Shattat, a deputy director general in the Education Ministry, wanted to teach in university but her seniors rebuffed her, saying it would be a waste of resources because female professors are not allowed to teach male students.

"The view that women...can't lead can't be changed overnight, particularly among the Islamists," Shattat said.

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