My prayers are with women all over the world who don't enjoy the amazing freedom that we have.
Heather.
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What's wrong with a court, with the world, when a 14 year old girl is sentenced to 60 lashes for "adultery" and "illegally staying together in a private place without being related", and the man in question is acquitted due to lack of evidence?
Everything.
The story is here if you can stomach it.
I was watching an incredible documentary last night on SBS - Chahinaz: What Rights For Women? [the entire program can be viewed online] It highlighted the laws and customs worldwide that make it difficult for women to be seen as equal in the eyes of men. In fact, in a conversation she had in her own country (Algeria), a male university student said that he basically agreed (with the equality of women), but added that would want his own wife "at home looking after my children rather than running a building site." Even though he agreed that women are equal in concept, he could never translate it into his own life. That says a lot.
I'm certainly no militant womens libber. My husband is the primary wage-earner in my family. I work part time, but I am the primary care-giver to our children and the primary house-cleaner/supermarket-shopper/errand-runner etc. We have a fairly "traditional" model. But conversely, if I found a great job that I loved, that earned enough to keep us, my husband would happily leave his job to take on my current role. If I wanted to own my own property I could. If I want to go on holiday I can. If I want to further my education, the options are there. If I desire to take on another religion or faith, I have every right. If I want to meet with an unrelated male in a "private place", even though my husband would likely not be too pleased, I would not be subject to sixty lashes in a public square. Therein lies the inequality that so desperately needs to be addressed.
God created male and female. Even the bible, in Galatians, written at a time of complete patriarchy, very clearly agrees that there should be no distinction as far as the way we treat one another.
It pains me to see women so clearly oppressed and mistreated. The above is an extreme example, but it shouldn't happen. Ever.
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Labels: Culture, Gender Issues, International Experiences, Politics, Social Justice
If you get a chance, check out the documentary "Shame." I saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival and I know it was picked up by Showtime and is still running. Mukhtaran Mai was awe inspiring.