Gender Equity in Islamic Societies

Gender equity is measured, debated and acted upon worldwide — yet mainstream indices rarely engage the ethical vocabulary of Islam. This course builds the capability to assess gender equality rigorously and through a maqāṣid lens: how global frameworks measure it across health, education, work, political participation, legal rights and social attitudes; where those measures illuminate and where they fall short; and how a maqāṣid-based gender index might complement them. Learners move from measurement to action — designing interventions, evaluating change and setting a research agenda. It is valuable for researchers, policy analysts, development practitioners, educators, and government, NGO and Islamic institutions seeking to advance the wellbeing and dignity of women and men with both evidential rigour and ethical grounding.

This course approaches gender equity as a matter of ʿilm nāfiʿ and ʿadl (justice) — asking how the wellbeing, dignity and rightful agency of every person can be measured and served. Studying survival, health, knowledge, livelihood, voice and legal rights alongside the maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, learners reflect on the protection of life, intellect, family, wealth and dignity as shared human ends. The subject invites careful, evidence-grounded reflection rather than slogans — distinguishing revealed principle from cultural practice, and mercy and justice from mere convention. Without issuing legal determinations, it helps learners weigh how societies honour the trust (amānah) of caring for their members, and see the pursuit of equity as accountability before Allah and service to His creation.