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The Construction and Reconstruction of Sexuality in the Arab World: An Examination of Sexual Discourse, Women’s Writing and Reproductive Justice

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Abstract

This article examines one of the most charged themes in the Middle East and North Africa: sexuality. Sexual discourse in the Arab world has gone through a transformation and is one that influences how female Arab and Muslims are depicted under Western eyes. Sexuality has experienced a makeover by the time of colonial expansion of Europe into the Middle East wherein the late nineteenth and early twentieth century gave rise to feminist consciousness throughout the region and has since gained momentum in the global women’s movement. This article will discuss sexual discourse in the Arab world and topics of reproductive justice and sexuality in contemporary Arab society such as abortion, female genital mutilation, female genital cutting, family planning and contraception, and sex education/HIV prevention and intervention.

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  1. Dominican University, River Forest, USA

    Suhad Tabahi

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  1. Suhad Tabahi
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Correspondence to Suhad Tabahi.

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Tabahi, S. The Construction and Reconstruction of Sexuality in the Arab World: An Examination of Sexual Discourse, Women’s Writing and Reproductive Justice. Sexuality & Culture 24, 1720–1737 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-020-09714-8

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