Woman Between Islam and Western Society
3. Western Woman
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While western civilization supports the liberated
woman only for the early years of her life — her
youth being her sole attraction — Islamic culture,
being family-oriented, attaches value and gives its
support to the married woman right throughout her
life.
THE EXAMPLE OF JAPAN
In Japan, about 15 million women are employed in
offices and factories. Far from enjoying a position
equal to that of their male counterparts, they serve
as assistants and subordinates.
Two Japanese women were, of course, elected to the
Cabinet a few years ago, but that was thanks only to
the institution of Women’s Year in 1985. Of the 608
diplomats in Japan, only twelve are women. Even to
this day, Japan’s society is male dominated. It is
significant that a woman minister noted in a recent
report on the condition of women in Japan that “a
bill, yet to be passed by the parliament on ending
discrimination against women, is considered by
many of its male critics to be reverse
discriminatory.”
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