Constructing and contesting women’s roles in Islam: A feminist critical discourse perspective

Women’s roles in Islam remain contested because male-dominated norms embedded in religious traditions shape dominant interpretations, constrain women’s agency, and generate tensions between gender constructions and feminist movements. Previous studies, however, have tended to examine traditional constructions and feminist resistance separately. This study analyzes the social construction of gender roles in Islam, the controversies surrounding traditional understandings, and the contributions of feminist movements to the reconstruction of women’s positions. It employs a descriptive–interpretive literature review and qualitative content analysis. Data were analyzed deductively and inductively using Berger and Luckmann’s social construction theory and Lazar’s Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis. The findings show that gender roles in Muslim societies emerge through a dialectical process of institutionalization, contestation, and social reconstruction. First, gender interpretations are reproduced through families, religious organizations, and social institutions before being objectified and internalized as legitimate norms. Second, gender constructions are negotiated through debates concerning family, the body, economic rights, education, employment, public participation, and religious authority. Third, feminist movements construct counter-discourses through religious reinterpretation, ijtihad, education, legal advocacy, institutional reform, and digital activism. Gender constructions are historically and contextually situated and continuously negotiated through power relations and women’s agency. The study’s contribution lies in integrating Berger and Luckmann’s theory with Lazar’s framework to explain the production, contestation, and reconstruction of gender norms. Theoretically, this integration improves understanding of the relationship between normative institutionalization and discursive resistance. In practical terms, the findings provide a foundation for inclusive religious interpretations, gender-responsive policies, the protection of women, and public participation.