Iraqi Activists: 'Women's Rights Must Be Main Focus'

According to CNN, "Basma al-Khateeb, of the Iraqi Women's Network, said it was vital for Iraqi legislators of both genders to defend the Iraqi "Law of Personal Status," which protects women and families, and limits the influence of religious courts."

"It's considered one of the most advanced family laws in the region. It's based on Sharia law, but takes the best (of it) for the benefit of women and family," she told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on International Women's Day

Women's rights has been a hard fight for Iraqi women. Many are tortured, raped, and beaten because of religious beliefs. The new parliament is a vital part of their survival and freedom.

Al-Khateeb said the 25 percent quota was a "double-edged sword" for women because political parties choose candidates who are not trained or outspoken, and who will do as they are told.

Afkhami, president and CEO of Women's Learning Partnership, said Iranian women have made advances because the country has a sophisticated civil society, even though it has what she called a "very primitive" set of laws.

Many women fight for their lives everyday and it shouldn't have to be like that.

"Even in the Middle East, where rights are challenged, there are sometimes more women in universities than men, such as in Iran."

Asma Khader, a former Jordanian minister of culture who is now secretary general of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, said there has been significant progress in her country on tackling the issue of "honor killings," in which men kill female relatives to defend the reputation of their families.

My Thoughts...

The violence is not necessary. It's ridiculous for the government to allow such brutal crimes to go on. Women are both intelligent mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends to many of the people in the town and deserve the utmost respect. It is a shame that they are killed, rapped, and beaten because of their gender.
Many women's organizations and activist risk their lives everyday to make sure that their young daughters, sisters, nieces, and friends are not harmed, but able to go on and be successful and flee from the danger.

Hopefully the new parliament will protect women's rights and health.

To read more from CNN, click here.

Comments (1)

Ken Poland

Justice and equal rights seem to be hard to come by, around the world. The United States doesn't always set a good example.

Thank you, Tatiana and others of you, who remind us of that with your posts.

Posted by Ken Poland | March 14, 2010 11:40 PM

Posted on March 14, 2010 23:40

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