Mobilization of the Law in Gulf States

GulfFeminisms is an innovative research project exploring the evolution of feminisms and women’s use of the law in three Gulf States: Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

By focusing on how women engage with Sharia law to assert their rights, the project offers a groundbreaking perspective on the intersection of law, gender, and societal transformation in these contexts.

Project information

Principal Investigator (PI)

Jihan Zakarriya

Project period

January 2013

January 2028.

Organisation

Mobilization of the Law in Gulf States is part of: Middle Eastern Studies

Key objectives

To trace the genealogies of feminist movements in the Gulf since the 1970s, examining their origins, trajectories, and impact.
To analyze how women strategically mobilize Sharia and legal frameworks to advocate for their rights, reshape practices, and expand their agency within conservative societies.
To provide a comparative, multidisciplinary study that enriches our understanding of feminism in the Gulf, highlighting its distinct forms and approaches.
Why GulfFeminisms Matters: This research challenges conventional narratives about feminism by focusing on its diverse and context-specific manifestations in the Gulf region. By examining how women navigate legal and social constraints, GulfFeminisms sheds light on the creative and pragmatic strategies used to drive change.

Outcomes and contributions

GulfFeminisms redefines how we conceptualize feminist movements in the Gulf and beyond, emphasizing their adaptability, resilience, and potential for creating meaningful legal and social reforms.

The first comprehensive study of feminist genealogies in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE.
New theoretical frameworks for understanding the role of law in shaping feminist movements.
Practical insights into how legal and political mobilizations can contribute to broader social transformations.