Summary

Part of a series of interviews recorded in conjunction with WLP public event, 'Challenges of Change: Religion, Secularism and Rights'. Karima Bennoune is a professor of international law and women's rights activist, a Center for Women’s Global Leadership delegate to the NGO Forum at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing where she provided legal advice to the Tribunal for Global Accountability for Violations of Women’s Human Rights. In this interview she speaks about the challenges posed by fundamentalism, discussing the culture and characteristics of fundamentalism and the use of women's sexuality and identity as key political issues. Refers to attacks on human rights defenders in Malaysia and 1990s Algeria. Discusses context-specific effective strategies to combat Muslim fundamentalism; education as a vital way of challenging religious absolution. Discusses the need for respect for different kinds of feminism and different kinds of women's rights advocacy. Discusses the label of Islamic feminism with concern for Islamic exceptionalism preferred in progressive and liberal circles. Emphasizes right of Muslim women to human rights. Discusses limitations of Muslim identity, in actuality including the complexity of Shi'ite, Sunni, Ismaeli, Ahmadi, the importance of universal human rights applying to all and remaining in 'toolbox' for Muslims. Gives example of Sudanese activists using arguments couched in Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and international human rights law, outside of Islamic law framework, and Iqbal Haider in Swat Valley, Pakistan. Salutes work of Women's Learning Partnership (WLP) fostering connection and exchange among women's rights defenders in diverse contexts 'to empower us'. Reflects on 'pervasive discrimination' in USA towards Muslims from broader population and within Muslim population, WLP enabling solidarity and 'multi-directional, critical discourse' in 'shrinking space'. 

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