Headscarves and Hymens

Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution

By: Mona Eltahawy

Narrated by: Mona Eltahawy

When the Egyptian journalist Mona Eltahawy published an article in Foreign Policy in 2012 titled "Why Do They Hate Us?," it provoked a firestorm of controversy. The response it generated, with more than 4000 posts on the website, broke all records for the magazine, prompted dozens of follow-up interviews on radio and television, and made it clear that misogyny in the Arab world is an explosive issue, one that engages and often enrages the public.

In Headscarves and Hymens, Eltahawy takes her argument further. Drawing on her years as a campaigner and commentator on women's issues in the Middle East, she explains that since the Arab Spring began, women in the Arab world have had two revolutions to undertake: one fought with men against oppressive regimes, and another fought against an entire political and economic system that treats women as second-class citizens in countries from Yemen and Saudi Arabia to Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.

Eltahawy has traveled across the Middle East and North Africa, meeting with women and listening to their stories. Her audiobook is a plea for outrage and action on their behalf, confronting the "toxic mix of culture and religion that few seem willing or able to disentangle lest they blaspheme or offend." A manifesto motivated by hope and fury in equal measure, Headscarves and Hymens is as illuminating as it is incendiary.

©2015 Mona Eltahawy (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Inspiring

One of the best books I have ever read and should be required reading for all.

Essential reading.

This is a spectacular book.
Essential reading for anyone interested in Middle Eastern and Arab histories and issues.
Mona seamlessly sways between her personal stories and those of others and the general experiences and challenges, and the atrocities women still face on daily basis in the region.
Mona presents persuasive arguments that are balanced between the role of culture, religion and politics in how these factors are constantly used to control, oppress, subjugate and even humiliate women.
Highly recommended.

Tasteful and Enraged

"Once again, women are the cheapest bargaining chip" the author states.

Here is a woman who clearly speaks to women without disparaging them, or unnecessarily doing so with men. Mona Eltahawy 's voice speaks fitting, apt words -both when confronting or encouraging. Men, she doesn't hit you over the head with it.

If I were to chose a phrase for the book, it would be the French les mots justes [those "just right" words, phrases].

Eltahawy speaks against every form of oppression to women. She confronts dogmas, Arab cultures, and patriarchy (everywhere) in light of an egalitarian ideal, all while maintaining her view of Islam -understated in this audio.

As a male from a somewhat conservative American home, this was slightly painful at times to listen to -but a transformative, rectifying pain. I was lightly aware of feminism before listening to this speech but it deepened this awareness. I can only imagine that a woman of the middle east will find both anger and hope here. (More anger, even rage will probably be found first for such a listener but, later, the equal measures of hope can come through it.) Buy it if you can take in a flow of deep, though justly placed anger, interspersed with tales of courage and compassion. Turn to a paper copy if anger/informative confrontation is too much for your ears.

Headscarves & Hymens challenges over-arching religion &/ military governments. This never interrupts the flow, nor the centrality of women, just as central as men to our world. If she values men less than women, that doesn't come through in this audio book.

On the Saudi Government Stance on Women's Rights

Mona says that the Saudi government avoids granting women their rights because it's afraid of them. That it fears them becoming powerful.

In my opinion, it's the other way around. The government ignores women's calls for their rights particularly because they're not powerful. It's not threatened by them. It has no reason to reconcile with them. However, the government is very interested in keeping the conservatives happy because they're powerful and have shown their teeth before. It's a zero-sum-game.

Pretty well put

I first learned of Mona through a debate she did against a woman wearing a burqa. Even though, I believe we should advance the status of women by rejecting oppressive symbols; to me the concept of hijab is a freedom of choice. Mona is against the concept of hijab , so I already disagreed with her before purchasing this book. Although, I owed it to myself to listen to her arguments. I found out that I actually agreed with a lot of what she had to say. She is very honest in this book and does not hold back on her views. I think that if you are interested in purchasing this book , you should have an open mind and keep in mind that sexual assault happens everywhere and anywhere.

incredible.

amazing. truly insightful, masterful reading by the author herself.
my heart goes out to all the women struggling for their rights in the middle East.

Head scarves and harems middle east

I admire all these brave women to live their own lives to protest knowing meetings in jail very brave lotta research went into this book is excellent I would recommend it to any moment so we can support her sisters all over the world who suffer

Thought provoking

An exceptional look into what resistance looks like from a woman who grew up in an islamic world. You don't have to agree with her but you will no doubt be left with more compassion towards the fight for human rights that is taking place among muslim women

Chilling. Jarring. Essential reading for anyone wishing to be educated about the ways of a world beyond your borders.

As a privileged, white, American male, I am embarrassed that this is all news to me. I know that this book is just the beginning of an education that I eagerly await.

women's freedom

Great to learn. frustrating to hear the truth. written well and with heart.