Among the milestones, it cited Kuwait's 2005 decision to give women the right to vote and run for parliament and the same year Algeria banned proxy marriages and recognized the parental authority of custodial mothers, according to The Star

So, what does this mean? Will women be able to walk out of their houses and feel safe? Will the torture, rape, and abuse cease because we've made progress?

"There are more women entrepreneurs, more women doctors, more women PhDs and more women in universities, than ever before," said Freedom House executive director Jennifer Windsor in a statement commenting on the study.

According to The Star, "Violence against women and impunity in spousal abuse remained widespread, the study said. No country covered explicitly prohibited spousal rape and only Tunisia and Jordan offer specific protections against domestic violence, it said."

"When courts are incapable of upholding basic legal rights in the face of political and societal pressures, those guilty of spousal abuse, gender-based discrimination, or even murder, often walk free," said Sanja Kelly, who directed the study.

So, what is it that needs to be done? Are we not in a state of progress or are we returning to the times when women were forced to work in their homes and not be seen in public without a man? Violence against women and children must cease or they will destroy their country. I hope that the middle east is paying attention to the damage they are doing to women, both physically and mentally. It is harmful to berate and belittle someone based on physical characteristics. I hope that the obstacles that are still preventing women from being able to be free to raise their children and get an education will not be a factor in the future, until then, I'm glad for activists, organizations, and people who are risking their lives so that women in the middle east can have a voice and people to turn to when things get rough.

The Middle east must do better...They must...

What are your thoughts?

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