Women’s clothing: modern meets traditional
Upon my arrival in Fes, I exited the train station and found a taxi to take me to the Hotel Batha, where I was to meet my host family. My traveling companion inquired as to the cost of the ride before we could leave the station – in English, no less. Nothing could’ve screamed “clueless tourist” any louder than if I had written it on my forehead. After five grueling minutes of negotiations in broken French, off we went, and I silently kicked myself – I knew I had been fleeced, but I was too travel-weary to care. King’s ransom paid, we tottered up the hotel’s front steps around midnight, luggage in tow. Just as I was deciding that nothing else could possibly go wrong, a group of teenage boys sitting outside the hotel exchanged words accompanied by a few unbecoming hand gestures as I passed. I had spoken too soon.
Surprisingly, they were far from the only people out and about. In fact, it seemed as though every man, woman, and child in Fes flocked to the streets, even at such a late hour. Before long, my host dad and I were en route, Moroccan quick-stepping through the infinite twists and turns of the ancient Medina. The breakneck pace, while bewildering at first, made complete sense after a few times of wandering through the Medina during the following week. Fes’s Medina is comprised of endless alleyways and corridors all somehow connected by a maze of meandering streets. No map is completely accurate. Each subsequent turn I took revealed a cluster of kids playing or a stray cat in search of scraps, scurrying out of sight at the sound of my footsteps. Or a gang of boys, jeers on the tips of their tongues, ready to lash out at any girl or woman who walks by.
Regardless of the fact I adorn long, non-revealing clothing and a hat to cover my hair, I still hear the suggestive remarks many young boys and men yell as I walk past. And I am not alone in this plight. This unfortunate reality is a fact of life for women in Morocco, despite their best attempts to avoid attention. Some women dare to bare their calves, shoulders, and other moderately scandalizing body parts; however, most Moroccan women conceal their bodies and hair from the public eye. Their djellabas cover their entire body from neck to ankles – quite a far cry from typical American dress. In spite of Moroccan women’s attempts to protect against different types of harassment and gender violence, these problems persist.
This hasn’t stopped people from speaking out. I attended an event at the ALC (American Language Center) called “Give Me Back My Voice” in which men and women alike acted out anonymously written scenes depicting gender violence in an attempt to raise awareness. Their pleas that harassment and gender violence be brought to a stop inspired me, but what has resounded within me is their optimism about the future. The tight-t-shirt-wearing, sharp-tongued young women who are unapologetically speaking out (despite everything they’ve been taught) made me realize two things: one – while we may come from opposite sides of the world, we share similar struggles as women; two – they’re a great deal braver than I.
There’s noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also.
Interesting report! I don’t understand how men treat women in foreign countries. I would not like it and would be scared to go there.
Since reading your blog initially it has given me time to think about how much sadness has to be in this life around the world not just for the women. I’m sure that there are men and boys of any nation that would appreciate the flight of the women. The influence from our ancestors have left a great impression both good and bad so we all have choices in life it just depends on how we chose to handle those choices.
Unfortunately, the chief religion of Morocco favors the male. It has passed in a most vulgar and cruel way from one generation to the next. When the guys hang out in groups, they take on a new belligerence and obnoxiousness that they may not have exhibited in smaller numbers. It’s like our kids hanging out at the mall and making abusive and suggestive remarks to girls. When you pass any construction site, it’s the same thing. But, at least in our country, women have a platform.
As for the crowded streets in the evening, that is the way of culture in arid-hot places. They stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and then come out during the evening.
It is a cruel world that we live in and granted even though we are supposed to be equal we are not. Treatment of women are still unequal and we all share that responsibility as well. It is a shame to all people to be mistreated in the ways of our youth’s and those in other countries due to their teachings.
So true! Women across the world share so many of the same struggles, we need to stick together and fight for the rights we all deserve.
Even in our western culture it was not that long ago that women could not vote or have a voice except as an echo of a man’s voice. Only the bold and courageous find freedom and it sounds like the women there are starting to find the strength that it will take to gain the respect they deserve.
As Americans, specially those with little perspective outside of the US, we like to think that women in Arab countries do not have strength to have their voices heard. In reality, there are women fighting and struggling just as much if not more than women in America. Unfortunately, the struggles of women working to reclaim their voices is not solely an American or Arab experience, it is a very universal struggle.
Sometimes coming from the western world we like to think that there are very few people that stand up for female civil liberties in the Arab world due to our lack of perspective. In reality, just like women in America, there are brave women working hard to have their voices heard. They struggles of women are not something that is strictly an Arab or American experience, something unfortunately universal.
Great post! First impressions, good or bad, are usually lasting impressions. However, always remember to temper any judgement you may have formed because you are viewing a much different and very ancient culture through the lenses of a westerner…and for the first time. Not to be taken lightly, but westerners in general are known to be crusaders–crusaders for one cause or another, at home and abroad. So, when visiting, my advice is to adhere to one rule: as a westerner and possibly a crusader, choose your battles carefully.
‘Sisterhood’
It’s hard to imagaine that such degrading behavior exists towards the ‘Sisterhood’ in Fes Medina or any other place. The world, and in this case men, must come into the 21st century. It’s truly unfortunate that females of all ages have to demand/fight for their rightful place. That said, the ‘Sisterhood’ must work together throughout the world to bring about respect and equality for themselves and all others who are belittled by ANYONE!
Might I suggest a blog community for all that wish to bring about changes for the ‘Sisterhood ‘?
It’s difficult to think of women having to deal with harassment and gender violence ANYWHERE in the world – but that is apparently practiced in the culture as the norm is shocking.