Islam is not really broadly accepted by most Japanese communities. Apparently, this society is not familiar even to Muslim immigrants living in Japan. Especially Muslim women tend to be isolated in Japanese society due to language barriers, religious customs, food limitations, and kinship relations. Particularly, Muslim Ladies are more marginalized by male controls and regulations by gender disciplines. Thus, they are facing various difficulties while living in Japan. To illustrate this phenomenon, we established Muslim Women Empowerment Project.
To solve the problem and make a mutual understanding between Japanese society and Muslim Women we got started this project and the steps are below. We were initially subject to Muslim Women living in Kyoto. This project consists of 4 components;
1. Women community building; Making a community for only Muslim Women
2. Cultural lesson; Started Japanese language/custom/culture study
3. Cultural exchange; meetings with Japanese people
4. Internship programs; introduction of jobs/ matching with companies
To make a gender-friendly atmosphere, we limit participants only to females. Because of gender regulations and limited accessibility to problems of Muslim Women, this community making the only way to rebuild social issues of Muslim Women. Currently, we have about 16 participants living in Kyoto City. Briefly, they are interested in the Japanese language and are required to have such opportunities. So far, this project has partially achieved that most Muslim Women have found a friend with a similar background and the same religion. Moreover, the project also gives them an opportunity to find Japanese friends. A gender-friendly atmosphere provides them with “communal solidarity” to be more open and active.
The further direction of this project is to encourage Muslim Women more feel free to join the society. The scheme of this practical anthropology commits to building a new mutual understanding community between Muslim Women and Japanese society.
