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“Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving”

In her essay“Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving,” Lila Abu-Lughod argues that the feminist movement from Western countries trying to save Muslim women from cultural oppression , orthodox religious views and the violence of the Taliban, are imposing a Westernized view of the world in the lives of Muslim women. Feminists see themselves in a superior standpoint in which they can decide what would be a positive change in the lives of Afghan women.  But by changing their cultural way of dressing and taking away the veils from their hair will not change the life situation for many women that need social justice, the end of war, peace, economic resources, education, safe environments to raise their children, social recognition, health care, and universal human rights.

Abu-Lughod states the issues that affect Afghan women are not only those that the Taliban imposed upon them, but we should take a look to the large picture and recognize that the social issues were present before the war on terror. The violence and destruction we see on T.V. and discussed in interviews is rooted in political issues, conflicts to access territory, extraction of oil and natural resources. In order to change the lives of Afghan women and disadvantaged people in the world,  there should be a re distribution  of wealth and the work of  organizations and that want to bring rights and justice for people.

Also, Abu-Lughod informs that we must identify what are the interests of the groups and organizations involved in the search for a better world. If  feminists and  human rights advocates want to bring justice and emancipation for women and people that are suffering the aftermath of the terrorist attacts of September 11th, they should do it by discussing the history of interventions of the U.S. in Afghanistan, the relationship of the Taliban with the U.S and how neo-colonialism influences religious groups to react against foreign powers that want to dominate their lives and take their resources.