Women in the Public Sphere: Gender Equality in Islamic Theology

• Published in: Pharos Journal of Theology Vol. 105; no. 105(1)
• Main Authors: Ginting, Lestari Dara Cinta Utami, Nasution, Vivi Adryani, Suhendar, Aris, Nasution, Alya Rahma, Ramadhan, All Rizky
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africajournals 2024
• Subjects: gender equity; islamic theology; public space; women
• ISSN: 1018-9556; 2414-3324
• DOI: 10.46222/pharosjot.10518

This article aims to analyze the equal role of women in the public sphere in terms of Islamic theology. Discrimination against women due to race, nationality, or religion is a topic that is often discussed today. Looking at the position of women in various religious traditions can help find solutions to problems such as discrimination against women. Furthermore, this discrimination causes women to have limitations in the public sphere, thus suppressing women's productivity. This research aims to explain how the Qur'an can be interpreted to provide a more equitable theology of gender roles within the Islamic framework. The research strategy combines a qualitative descriptive approach with a literature review. Research questions were guided by Qur'anic verses and answered using literature sources, including books, scholarly journals, and the most popular online databases. The findings of this study show that the Qur'ān does not support discrimination based on gender. Regarding receiving a broad message, both men and women are given equal weight in the Qur'ānic framework. There are too many possible interpretations of the term "gender equality" to make any concrete conclusions. The solution to all the world's problems can be found in the Qur'ānic literature, which promotes gender equality through balance, fairness, and proportion. The Qur'an uses existing arguments to describe the importance of women's role in the public sphere, both as Servants and Caliphs. The role of women in the public sphere is different from that of men, but in terms of calculation, the portion assigned to women and men is relatively balanced. The idea that Islam is a religion of sexism is also not supported by the language and literature of the Qur'an. The author argues that the Qur'anic principles of gender equality can be applied to modern efforts to eliminate derogatory stereotypes.