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Gender Differences

Post-9/11, Western media have spent countless hours documenting the numerous gender differences between the West and Islam.  Depending on where one focuses the lens, these gender differences could be incredibly stark or virtually imperceptible.  We leave it to you to research each individual country to find out what type of gender norms you might encounter.  However, the following are some general observations and tips that we’ve collected from women who have traveled to Muslim countries in the past. 

Be Prepared for Separate Spheres

It’s not uncommon for men and women to operate in entirely separate spheres of influence.  Women and men often live in two distinct worlds with separate living quarters, separate mosque areas, separate medical facilities, and even separate hours.   

Don’t be surprised if many of your meals are eaten in isolation or in women-only environments.  And quite frequently, you might find yourself walking down the street with not a single woman in sight.  In many instances, the women will be at home tending to various duties and chores. 

Trying to fight the system might bring you fleeting moments of satisfaction , but you probably won't see long-lasting results.  You're an outsider, and more important, you are a woman.  Rather than spend your medical vacation trying to change things, it's probably best to focus on your health.  

Chaperons

In some Muslim countries, women are discouraged or forbidden from traveling in public without a male escort (even if this “escort” is a three-year-old son).  If you ever find yourself in this type of environment, make sure you have a male escort at all times.   

Again, fighting the system will probably not change much.  If situations like these are too much for you to handle, we strongly recommend selecting a medical tourism country whose views on gender are more in line with your own. 

Some General Tips about Chaperons: 

  • Becoming too friendly with your chaperon might send him the “wrong” signal.  Remember that even a casual smile can be construed as interest on your part.
  • If you use public transportation, your chaperon should sit in the aisles seat while you sit in the window seat.
  • Accept the fact that most communication will take place through your chaperon.  If shopkeepers try to assist you, for example, they won’t always address you directly.  Instead, they might rely on your chaperon as an intermediary.
  • Although maddening for many, having a male chaperoned along can actually spare you from many frustrating experiences.  In the absence of a male chaperon, you might become more vulnerable to constant heckling, catcalls, and propositions for sex.