ABSTRACT
EmploymentoutsideofthehomeisviewedhonorablybyIslam,and thereisevenasayingbytheProphetthat'themostblessedearningis thatwhichapersongainsfromhisownlabor'.4However,becauseof thetraditionofveilingandseclusion,womenhaveobviouslybeen limitedintheirchoiceofprofessions.Inaddition,menhavegenerally beenopposedtotheirwomenfolktakingwage-earningjobsbecausethis wouldgivethemtheeconomicindependencetowhichtheyareentitled underIslam,buttowhichmenareopposed.Womenhave,however, continuedtoworkthroughthecenturies.Totheoutsider,itwould appearasthoughtherewerenoopportunitiesforwomentoassume wageemployment,and,indeed,thepercentagesofArabwomeninthe wage-earningsectorswereextremelylowupto10or20yearsago. However,theseftguresfailedtotakeintoaccountthefactthatmany womenwereindependentlyemployedintheprivatesectors.Inmany areasoftheArabworld,womenraised,forincome,chickensorlambs, whileotherssoldgoat'scheeseandmilk,woveorembroideredfabric andsewedclothing.Inaddition,womenwereemployedasagricultural laborers,midwives,religiousinstructors,domesticworkers,orhealersof sickwomenandchildren.
