L’activisme des femmes issues de communautés musulmanes en France et en Grande-Bretagne

Abstract

This article examines the political and civic participation of women from Muslim communities. First, we examine the obstacles and enablers they face in deploying certain strategies of action, whether in their communities of origin or in majority society, in France and in Britain. We also explore their life projects and action in civic and political arenas, knowing that access to the latter proves difficult for women in general and even more so for minority women. Our research challenges prevalent prejudices about their apparent lack of interest in politics and social issues, their passivity and their confinement to the role of dutiful wife and mother. Contrary to public expectation, we demonstrate that they are ambitious in developing their life projects and participation in society. They are subjects in their own right, reflecting on the values underpinning their action. Thus they analyse their environment and develop strategies to pursue their objectives of civic and political participation.

Keywords

• women
• Muslim communities
• political participation
• Islam
• associations