At the Crossroads of the World: Women of the Middle East

Abstract

The authors offer a brief introduction to the history of women of the Middle East, with a focus on three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Schools are paying increased attention to teaching world history, but they are giving too little attention to incorporating women as part of world history. One of the major dividing lines within the Middle East has been religion, a fixed feature of the world history curriculum. The authors attempt to provide insights, based on new research about women in the region, into how religion and culture influence women's lives in this area of the world. They conclude with a brief consideration of how women are organizing for change in the Middle East.

Keywords:

• Middle East
• religion
• women
• world history