Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence and Gender Inequality in Muslim-Majority Countries

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the different Islamic schools of jurisprudence and three aspects of gender inequality in Muslim-majority countries. These aspects are: gender inequality in economic participation, political representation, and judicial positions. The literature on gender inequality presents two competing explanations of the relationship between Islam and gender inequality. Some studies conclude that Islam is associated with gender inequality while other studies cast doubts on this conclusion and argue that gender inequality in Muslim-majority countries is associated with structural/contextual factors such as oil rents. This dissertation argues that concluding Islam is either associated with gender inequality or not may be premature without disaggregating Islam into its different schools of jurisprudence.