As a feminist of Egyptian and Muslim descent, my life's work has been informed by the belief that religion and culture must never be used to justify the subjugation of women.
Mona EltahawyRead
I do not subscribe to a feminism that demands perfection or super heroic nobility of women. But I do insist that putting women at the service of patriarchy is no victory for us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the need for authentic representation of women beyond perfection and challenges the notion of serving a patriarchal system.
Mona Eltahawy's quote critiques a version of feminism that expects women to be flawless or superhuman in their roles. Instead, she advocates for a feminism that values women's authentic experiences and rejects the idea that catering to a patriarchal system can be considered a success for women. This highlights the importance of genuine empowerment rather than conforming to outdated expectations.
Themes
FeminismPatriarchyEmpowermentWomenEquality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a women's rights rally to emphasize the need for genuine empowerment.
More from Mona Eltahawy
All quotes →I'm no fan of Sarkozy, but I support a ban on face veils because they erase women from society and are promoted by an ultra-conservative ideology that equates piety with the disappearance of women.
Mona EltahawyRead
It is the harassers and assaulters who make us 'look bad,' not the women who have every right to expose crimes against them.
Mona EltahawyRead
I can write about my culture and religion because I am a product of both. Even when I'm accused of giving ammunition to the Islamophobic right, in the struggle between 'community' and 'women,' I always choose the women.
Mona EltahawyRead
I believe at the heart of any revolution for social justice and human dignity are consent and agency, the unequivocal belief that I own my body - not the state, not the church/mosque/temple, not the street and not the family.
Mona EltahawyRead
I will never ally with Islamophobes and racists. But in the choice between 'community' and Muslim women, I will always choose my sisters.
Mona EltahawyRead
Similar quotes
I think the world is ambivalent about feminism. So I can't blame college students. I think they're reflecting the greater culture's attitude toward feminism. So what I can do is, in ways that are appropriate, advocate for feminism and help the students learn what feminism is about.
Roxane GayRead
A movie about a weak, vulnerable woman can be feminist if it shows a real person that we can empathize with.
Natalie PortmanRead
Feminism's agenda is basic: It asks that women not be forced to 'choose' between public justice and private happiness.
Susan FaludiRead
There will be no mass-based feminist movement as long as feminist ideas are understood only by a well-educated few.
Bell HooksRead
I'm a feminist. I've been a female for a long time now. It'd be stupid not to be on my own side.
Maya AngelouRead
When women can support themselves, have entry to all the trades and professions, with a house of their own over their heads and a bank account, they will own their bodies and be dictators in the social realm.
Elizabeth Cady StantonRead