Divided by Faith, United by Misogyny: Hinduism and Islam

Historically, societies have been influenced by numerous religious doctrines that presented different cultural and spiritual accounts. With exception of this diverse array, there exists a shared thread among most religions: the institutional oppression of women within patriarchal systems. In Hinduism and Islam alike, patriarchal understandings have traditionally peripheralized women, who have had their domains and liberties curtailed.


Hinduism, which is one of the oldest religions of the world, has a tremendous collection of texts and traditions. Ancient texts such as the Manusmriti have contributed in defining gender relations in Hindu society. The texts tend to situate women below men and specify roles that reduce them to the home. The Manusmriti, for example, indicates that women are to remain under the control of male relatives at all times of their lives and thus enshrine male hegemony.

Historically, women's position in Hindu society has oscillated. Women played religious roles during the Vedic age and gained access to education. Subsequent social transformations and invasions contributed to more severe restrictions on the independence of women, upholding patriarchal expectations. Female subordination was deepened further through the introduction of practices like child marriage and sati (the widow-burning custom).


Islam, which was founded in the 7th century, also offers a complicated connection to gender roles. The Quran and Hadiths stress men's and women's spiritual equality. Cultural readings and applications have sometimes been oriented toward patriarchy. For instance, although the Quran provides women with rights of inheritance and education, patriarchal societies have habitually curbed these rights by not allowing women into public and economic life.

In most Muslim nations, customary patriarchal traditions have prescribed rigid gender roles that usually restrict women's rights and liberties. Nevertheless, current reforms in some parts of the world suggest increased gender equality, though under the umbrella of Islamic teachings. As much as there has been progress, obstacles still exist, and deeply rooted patriarchal mindsets continue to impede women's rights.


Both Hinduism and Islam, though theologically distinct, have been read in ways that reinforce male dominance. In both faiths, patriarchal systems have been legitimized through selective interpretations of religious texts, resulting in the exclusion of women. These readings have seeped into all areas of life, such as legal systems, educational access, and individual freedoms.

In modern India, a country with large Hindu and Muslim populations, patriarchal norms still shape social structures. Women tend to suffer from systemic discrimination, restricted access to education, and economic inequality. Cultural traditions, including dowry and honor violence, are prevalent among religious communities, reflecting the widespread presence of patriarchy.

Efforts to challenge these have been multifaceted. Reforms through law have sought to ensure women's rights, and civil society movements attempt to confront and transform patriarchal attitudes. Education and economic empowerment are key in this struggle, equipping women with the capacities to enforce their rights and overcome oppressive frameworks.


While Hinduism and Islam present rich and complex cultural tapestries, their patriarchal readings have traditionally undermined women's rights and freedoms. Within India, this collective heritage of patriarchy cuts across religious divides and presents women with common problems to face, cutting across communal divides. Resolving these needs collective efforts in reframing religious dicta in more egalitarian terms, legalising protection for them, and raising their levels of education and employment. Only such a multifaceted effort will be able to break down entrenched patriarchal frameworks and make a more just society possible.