Does Religion Hinder Women’s Political Efficacy in Muslim-Majority Societies? Rethinking the Role of Religion, Gender Norms, and Political Engagement

This study examines the relationship between religiosity and political efficacy among women in Muslim-majority countries.Using data from Arab Barometer Wave 8, it differentiates between self-reported religiosity and religious practice and explores how these dimensions interact with socioeconomic conditions and patriarchal attitudes to shape women's political agency.Contrary to common assumptions that religiosity suppresses women's political engagement, the analysis reveals that its direct effects are limited.Instead, deeply entrenched patriarchal norms emerge as the most significant impediment, particularly because they undermine women's internal political efficacy and weaken their sense of competence and confidence in political affairs.While higher education fosters greater political awareness among women, it does not always lead to stronger perceptions of institutional responsiveness or greater support for political participation, especially where structural exclusion persists.Support for Islamist groups, often viewed as alternatives to the political status quo, is positively associated with political engagement.These findings underscore the importance of separating the influence of religion from that of patriarchy and highlight the need for a more intersectional and context-sensitive understanding of women's political empowerment in Muslim-majority societies across the Middle East and North Africa.