CEDAW: Female Muslim group calls on UN to consider religious, cultural diversity

By Bukola Hameed

A group of Muslim women in Nigeria has called on the United Nations (UN) to review some articles of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) based on their contravention of fundamental Islamic principles.

This call was made by Hajia Aminah Abdus-Sattar, Director of Education, Ministry of Education, Lagos State at the 6th Annual Pure Heart Sisters’ Summit (PASS 2023) organised by the Pure Heart Islamic Foundation (PHF), Oyo State Chapter, on Sunday, 21st May, 2023.

Speaking on the theme of the summit ”The Pristine”, Hajia Aminah Abdus-Sattar observed that the UN needs to consider the global religious diversity in the clauses of the CEDAW. This according to her, will accelerate global acceptability of the women-oriented convention among the committee of nation.

Commenting on the Islamic position on respect for women within the ambits of Islamic law, Hajia Abdus-Sattar highlights the flaws of CEDAW to include naming children after their mothers, advocating for same sex marriage, right to abortion among girls, conflict between society defined gender roles and equal right among genders, and lack of respect for variation of gender roles in different societies.

The Director of Education encouraged young female Muslims on the need to bring back the light of the golden messages of Islam by applying them in their daily lives, adding that by adhering to the Prophetic model on the right of women in the society will bring honour and respect to girls and women while establishing sanctity in the society.

While speaking during the programme, a don in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Dr. J.T. Lasisi, advised female Muslims on the tackling contemporary challenges affecting them in our society. “You need to be more resilient and resist any force meant to suppress your voices”, she advised.

The spiritual mother of the day, Alhaja Sururoh Oyero, emphasized that “there is salvation in upholding the tenets of Islam” in all endeavours. She urged Muslim girls and women to be good ambassadors of Islam wherever they found themselves.

During her address of welcome to the programme, the P.H.F Assistant Coordinator III, Alhaja Zaynab Oladipupo, said the programme tagged PASS had come to stay.

She appreciated the guests and the over 800 female Muslims who teemed out to attend the programme.