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.