“Gender and fasting norms.”
Beyond the Plate: Unpacking Gender and Fasting Norms in Ramadan
Iman watched her brother effortlessly excuse himself from kitchen duties, while she was expected to help prepare the iftar meal, even after a long day of fasting. Across town, Sameera noticed a subtle but distinct difference in how her male and female colleagues were treated when they requested time for prayers. And in a quiet mosque gathering, Aisha listened to a sermon that emphasized women’s domestic roles during Ramadan, leaving her feeling a sense of unease.
For Iman, Sameera, and Aisha, and countless others, Ramadan highlights the often-unspoken gender dynamics that shape the fasting experience. It’s a time when traditional norms and expectations can intersect with religious observance, creating a complex landscape of gendered experiences.
Let’s explore their experiences:
- Iman’s Unequal Kitchen Duties:
- Iman, a university student, observed that her brother was rarely expected to assist with iftar preparations, while she was expected to be involved, even after a demanding day of classes.
- She noticed the subtle but persistent expectation that women were primarily responsible for domestic tasks during Ramadan, regardless of their other commitments.
- She began to wonder if the extra labor was being counted as extra reward, and if that was a fair exchange.
- Sameera’s Workplace Prayer Breaks:
- Sameera, a corporate professional, noticed a difference in how her male and female colleagues were treated when requesting time for prayer breaks.
- She observed that her male colleagues were often granted more flexibility and understanding, while she sometimes faced subtle resistance or questioning.
- She felt an undercurrent of double standard, and how she was perceived as less dedicated to her job, if she took the same prayer breaks as her male coworkers.
- Aisha’s Mosque Sermon Reflections:
- Aisha, a community activist, attended a mosque sermon that focused heavily on women’s domestic roles during Ramadan, emphasizing their importance in preparing meals and maintaining a harmonious household.
- She felt that the sermon overlooked the diverse contributions of women in the community, including their professional careers, social activism, and intellectual pursuits.
- She began to question the interpretations of religious texts that reinforced traditional gender roles and limited women’s participation in public life.
- She wondered why there were not more sermons about the spiritual growth of women, outside of the kitchen.
For Iman, Sameera, and Aisha, Ramadan serves as a lens through which they examine the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that gender norms shape their experiences. It’s a time for questioning, reflecting, and advocating for a more equitable and inclusive understanding of faith.