PhD Thesis
Title: Between CEDAW and Shari'a: Muslim Feminists Searching for a Common Ground
PhD Supervisor & Co-supervisor: Anne Saab and Fenneke Reysoo
Expected completion date: 2024
This paper aims to explore the question of the intersection, compatibility or conflict, between Islamic law and international human rights law through framing the current debates on how both legal doctrines address the concept of gender equality and women’s rights. The paper seeks to define gender equality from both legal perspectives, addressing any differences or similarities in the meaning and the application of the term, and how terms of equity, equality and complementarity need to be carefully examined and used. By investigating the juxtaposition of both legal systems, Islamic law and International human rights law, on protecting women’s rights, the paper aims to examine how Islamic feminists seek conformation and justice by creating their own wave of feminism from their own faith tradition, in an attempt to create an incorporating space for Muslim women to protect their identities and their faith. To bridge theory and practice together, the paper will then examine the Tunisian experience, and its recent reforms, as an illustrative case to assess whether the contemporary aspirations of Islamic feminists can prove compatibility between Islamic law reform and International universal human rights. Based on the findings, the paper seeks to utilize the efforts of Islamic feminists to analyze in what ways can Islamic law prove compatibility with international human rights law and in what ways it cannot.
Academic Work experience
Research Experience
Researcher, Global Survivors Fund
Research Interests
- Feminism
- Islamic Law Reform
- Conflict Related Sexual Violence
- Women
- Peace and Security
- International Human Rights Law
- Critical Legal Theory
Relevant Publications and Works
1. Aboul-Ezz, Merna, Feminism vs. Multiculturalism: An Insight Into Islamic feminism, The Graduate Institute, 2019.
2. Aboul-Ezz, Merna, Islamic feminism: A perfect match or a contradiction in terms?, The American University in Cairo, 2017.
3. Aboul-Ezz, Merna, Book Review: Feminist Edges of the Qur'an, Journal of International Women's Studies, 18(2), 293-295, 2017.
4. Aboul-Ezz, Merna, Said, M. and A. Petrovich, Iran: Gender and Labour Market Analysis. Background paper for UN Report: Progress of the World’s Women 2015–2016: Transforming Economies, Realizing Rights. UN Women, 2014.
5. In progress: “Tradition, Motherhood and Peace in Times of Conflicts: An Insight into the Impact of Iraqi Wars on Women”
Fellowships, Grants and Awards
- Graduate Scholarship, The Graduate Institute, PhD in International Law, 2019-2021
- Graduate Merit Fellowship: AUC, MA in International Human Rights Law, 2017-2018
- Graduate University Fellowship: AUC, MA in International Human Rights Law, 2016-2017
- Dean's List 2015- 2017 and Valedictorian of Class ‘18
- Study Abroad Grant: Exchange Student, The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, 2016