Haffajee should know. She's been a Muslim women's activist in North America for over 30 years and she's seen the state of Muslim sisters and brothers throughout this time. As Muslims, we have rightly claimed that when it comes to women in Islam, the media has it all wrong. Women are not oppressed, we argue passionately. Women were given property rights in 7th century Arabia, while prior to Islam, women were considered property.
Women have the right to education.
Women have the right to earn money, which remains theirs. Women have the right to keep their last names after marriage. Islamic dress protects women, it doesn't hinder them. And on and on and on. But in these discussions, Muslims compare Islamic ideals with Western reality.