In light of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to three Yemeni ladies, a feat that has been heralded as one which defies "assumptions on both sides of the East-West divide by defying the Eastern stereotype that women are weak and unsuitable for leadership and the Western belief that Muslim women are oppressed by Islam, I'd like to look at what effect this might have on women who live where the East and West overlap.
The idea that Muslim women are oppressed by Islam puts Muslims living in western countries in a difficult position. If the Muslim woman is part of a family/culture in which men believe they are Islamically endowed power over women because women are somehow inferior, or worse, if she lives in an abusive relationship, it becomes even more difficult for her to speak out. This is especially the case if she sees herself as a devout Muslim. Even if she believes that she deserves better and has made up her mind that her culture or family values are not in her best interest, she cannot reach out for help for fear of making Islam "look bad" and confirming the reigning stereotype about her religion.
In order to escape her plight, she would have to feel disconnected from Islam in addition to confronting her family. If she did not want to risk her religion, she would endure her circumstances quietly.
However, with a recognition of global standard for strong Muslim women, the Western Muslimah can identify with them for both her faith and her sense of dignity and agency. For this reason alone, I am glad for the work of the Yemeni Peace Prize winners.
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