Gendered Politics and Law in Jordan GUARDIANSHIP OVER WOMEN AFAF JABIRI Gendered Politics and Law in Jordan Afaf   J abiri Gendered Politics and Law in Jordan Guardianship over Women Afaf   Jabiri School of Oriental and African Studies London, UK ISBN 978-3-319-32642-9 ISBN 978-3-319-32643-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-32643-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2016947276 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2 016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Cover image © Murat Sen /Getty Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Nature America Inc. New York To Jihad, Sham, Ward, and Aram A CKNOWLEDGMENTS I am greatly indebted to many people who have been of tremendous support in the realization of this book. The opportunity of doing my research at the Centre for Gender Studies (CGS) in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) was one of the greatest experiences. I have enjoyed deeply the company and discussions with so many of the CGS’s members, staff, and students. Many thanks especially to my supervisor, Ruba Salih, who made every possible effort to support me throughout the three years. Her questions, arguments, refl ections, and comments have always been of great help, opened doors for improvement, and challenged my thinking. I am also grateful and thankful for Lynn Welchman’s support to my research from the beginning to the very end that she gave with a great passion and prudence. From the outset at SOAS, Nadje Al-Ali was very supportive and genuinely available at different stages to discuss my research and share the excitement and frustration of events taking place in the region. I also express appreciation and gratitude to my thesis examin- ers Deniz Kandioti and Annelies Moors for their support, insights, and valuable comments. I am indebted to hundreds of women, with whom I worked at the Jordanian Women’s Union’s Hotline and Shelter. Those women had shared with me their stories and trusted me in their lives. They were my educators. Their courage in challenging violence and domination always inspired me. I am also grateful to the women participants of my research. They were very generous in opening their houses, hearts, and minds. I am also thankful to Jordanian Women’s Union’s Director, Nadia Shamroukh, for her tremendous support and encouragement and to the Director of vii viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Programs, Mukarram Odeh, and lawyers Maram Maghalseh and Elham el-Showa, for organizing interviews with women in the shelter and hotline and with judges, and facilitating the visits to the women’s prison. There are not enough words to describe the support of my husband, Jihad, and my sons, Sham, Ward, and Aram, who had to move with me to London and leave their friends and family in Jordan, without any com- plaint. Their love was the energy that fueled my days. There were many friends from all over the world, who stayed in contact, wrote supportive emails, and engaged in discussion about my research, to whom I am very thankful. Finally, I extend my pronounced gratefulness to Farideh Koohi- Kamali, Editorial Director, and Alisa Pulver, Editorial Assistant from Palgrave Macmillan, for their support to my project. C ONTENTS 1 Introduction: Gender, Law, and Politics in Jordan 1 2 Constructing Normative Femininity: The Engagement of Law and Religious Interpretations 39 3 Women’s Alternative Forms of Femininity: Compliant, Pragmatic, and Exceptional Selves 79 4 Women’s Everyday Tactics of Defi ance and Compliance 117 5 Rebelling Against the System of Wilaya: Women “in Need of Correction and Rehabilitation” 153 6 Conclusion: State, Gendered Power of Guardianship, and the Potential for Change 187 Index 207 ix