Transitioning of patriarchy: societal changes and the reimage of women's role and power in the Middle East

This article examines the transformation of patriarchal systems and the reimagining of women’s roles in the Middle East. Grounded in Deniz Kandiyoti’s theory of “bargaining with patriarchy,” it explores how women are not passive recipients of change but active agents who negotiate, adapt, and sometimes resist deeply entrenched gender hierarchies. Moving beyond single-country snapshots or a narrow focus on legal reforms, the study adopts a comparative, interdisciplinary lens to investigate how structural, cultural, and psychological factors intersect in shaping women’s lived experiences. Drawing on secondary data from the World Bank, ILOSTAT, UNESCO, Arab Barometer, UN Women, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the analysis highlights progress in key areas, including expanded educational attainment, increased (though uneven) political participation, and the growth of grassroots feminist initiatives. However, these advancements remain constrained by persistent socio-cultural expectations, institutional barriers, and the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic and caregiving work. The study concludes that meaningful gender transformation requires more than formal legal reforms; it demands a comprehensive reconfiguration of cultural norms and social contracts. This research contributes an integrated perspective that bridges policy analysis and cultural critique, offering deeper insights into how women are reshaping patriarchal systems from within.

کلیدواژه ها:

Patriarchy ، Middle East ، women's rights ، gender discrimination