Are Religious Women Really Women?

Oxford University Lecturer in International Human Rights Law, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, speaking at an event during the Commission on the Status of Women, challenged stereotypes that depict religious women as predominantly submissive, as victims in need of rescuing. Too often, she noted, the voice of religious women is not heard. She called for a richer discourse and understanding of women who hold religious beliefs—as women who are strong, women in leadership, dissenting women, and women championing a path that does justice to her gender and to her belief, while also giving due attention to concerns of women in religions where that is warranted. The discussion was sponsored by the NGO committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

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[eberri]

I'm puzzled. Dr Ghanea has misinterpreted CEDAW, and appears not to have read some key literature on CEDAW (etc) and people's multiple identities. CEDAW and other rights instruments and intelligent intersections feminist arguments don't take issue with religion. They state only that where religion (or culture/ethnicity/laws etc) assert that women are of lesser value than men, are less than human, that these institutions should be challenged and their assertions should not be fulfilled.