He raped as a teenager and now works to stop sexual violence in South Africa

Week 11 Post

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/05/world/africa/south-africa-rape/index.html?hpt=wo_t2

This article talks about how women in South Afica are raped every 26 seconds, and the growing problem that it is as many of the victims never report the crimes. This is a shocking statistic that is not unique only to South Africa but all over the world. Dumisani Rebombo is a man who had raped in his youth but now has changed his ways and advocates for the safety of women. I am torn on my feelings regarding this issue and the sanctity and sanity of those who let a self-confessed rapist advocate for the rights of women who have been raped. Is this morally right?

Saba Sahar: 'Afghan women are capable of doing anything men do'

Week 10 Post

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/apr/22/afghan-films-saba-sahar-women-taliban

This article talks about Saba Sahar, Afghnistan's first female director, and the immeasurable risks she takes because of the profession that she has chosen. In a country where women are refused even the basic of education she has risen to become a well known director but this has come with countless repercussions. She has received threats against herself and her family for the work she does and she never leaves home without a gun or bodyguard. What kind of place is it that requires a succesful female to be constantly armed in order to ensure her survival? I mourn for her and others as such who are subjected to like treatment because they dare to display their talents.




Under a death threat: director Saba Sahar films in a police compound with her crew.



Collision Over Roles of Women Sets Off Combative Debate Along the Trail

Week 9 Post

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/13/us/politics/hilary-rosens-ann-romney-comments-spark-campaign-debate.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

This article talks about how Hillary Rosen scathingly said that Mitt Romney's wife, who is a stay at home mom, "had never worked a day in her life." This tactless and demeaning comment inevitably ignited a massive debate on the roles of women outside the workplace. I am shocked and disgusted that this woman who is in a position  would speak in such deragatory terms about another woman. I strongly believe that  Hilary Rosen should be removed from her position of authority and made to stay with children for a week, then see if being a stay at home mom does not count as work.

Rapist sentence delayed 71 times

Week 8 Post
http://www2.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=836d819a-f34a-49fb-90fd-3a8fc9129c07

A South African court postponed a child rapist sentencing for the 71st time in four years. Andries Sibiya, a preacher, was convicted in 2008 on nine charges for raping a thirteen year old girl between 1996 and 2007. The 55 year old had three children with the girl, and told the court during his trial, that God had ordered him to have children so his family could go to heaven. This is a shocking and extreme case in which the perpetrator is shielded behind religion, and the biased beliefs of a nation that oppresses women. Sibiya should be made to face the consequences of his crime and face the full wrath of the law for his vile and despicable crime.

Osama bin Laden's wives expected to be free in a fortnight after being fined £70

Week 7 Post

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/02/bin-laden-wives-free-fortnight

The tragedy of 9/11 is still fresh in the minds of all people, and so too is the death of Osama Bin laden, the perpetrator and the mind behind the attacks. Noone, however, thinks of his wives and the hardships and turmoils they  faced while their were married to Bin Laden. Jon Boone documents the journey these three women have been on since the death of Bin Laden and the treatment they received from the government. They are set to be freed from  prison after serving sentences for visa offences. These women too were victims of the carnage cause by Bin laden and he imprisoned them with religon, culture and fear. Some would argue that they too should be punished for the crimes of their husband, as they seem to be accomplices, but their lives were also destroyed. Whether they should receive government assistance is unclear but I believe they deserve better treatment and understanding than society is willing to offer. They should not have to pay for the sins of their former captor.

Morocco protest after raped Amina Filali kills herself

WEEK 5 POST
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17379721

Amina Filali was a 16 year old Moroccan girl who was raped, and then forced to marry her rapist. She was severely beaten to coerce her into the marriage, and soon after she committed suicide by swallowing rat poison.

What will it take for someone to listen to them?



Women's rights groups say the law is used to justify a traditional practice of allowing a rapist to marry his victim to preserve the honour of the woman's family, and this law is called Article 475. This law allows for the "kidnapper" of a minor to marry his victim to escape prosecution. In conseravative parts of Morocco and the majority of Muslim countries, it is unacceptable for a woman to lose her virginity before marriage - and the dishonour is hers and her family's even if she is raped."Amina, 16, was triply violated, by her rapist, by tradition and by Article 475 of the Moroccan law," tweeted activist Abadila Maaelaynine.I am horrified by this clear lack of justice and the blatant oppression that is imposed on women like Amina who are forced to disregard their pain and wed their tormentors, in a skewed effort to guarantee honor for her family. These laws should be changed and society should be made aware of this problem that has been prevalent for decades, but never addressed.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/14/2693402/outrage-over-Witnesses say her husband became so outraged when she drank the poison he dragged her down the street by her hair - and she died shortly afterwards.rape-victim-suicide.html#storylink=cpy

Institutional sexism of books world needs new girls' network

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/mar/02/literary-criticism-gender

WEEK 4 POST

The author of this article brings to world attention the issues of inequality that still exist in the literary world, that hinder women from being truly recognized as accomplished writers. The literary world is still very much an "old boys clubs" as seen by the lack of women in the NYRB(New York Review of Books). There have been countless female authors who have written great books, but their achievements have been by-passed by the hierarchy of this increasingly male dominated industry. I believe it is wholly unbelievable that even in the 21st century, gender barriers still bind women from reaching their true potential, even in the androgynous literary field.

Defining Women's Oppression: The Burkha vs The Bikini

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2012/02/22/questioning-definitions-of-freedom/

Week Three Post

This article comments on the two extremes faced by women in the world today; being entirely covered or having absolutely no privacy in regard to their bodies. One assumes to be more liberated than the other because of the western environment they find themselves in that seemingly stands for democracy. Depending on your life spectre it is subjective to be able to reach a decision on the position you would feel most comfortable being placed in. I believe that both in their different but similar ways still oppress women, in the sense that the women are still judged on what they wear; most of which is largely determined by society.