Given that Protestant and Islamist or 'fundamentalist' paths are generally considered by to be oppressive to women the writer takes a sociological perspective to explore whether there are ways in which women might also empower themselves though revivalist or 'fundamentalist' traditions. This is a comparative study based on interviews carried out with Islamists and Christians both in the UK and the USA. The book also explores the roots of 'fundamentalisms' and the basis for gendered beliefs within the traditions, the costs and benefits of wearing hijab.