A drop in the ocean about Oppression of Women in the Middle East

As a young, white, Christian woman, living well submerged in Western culture, I can only comment on what I have seen and learnt on this issue. I am well aware that in Australia we live in a sheltered society, wrapped in cotton wool compared to the way a large portion of the rest of the world live, especially in the Middle East. I think the first thing to say is that when discussing such issues we must be extremely careful not to generalise when it comes to race, religion or a particular culture. I believe generalisation is just as bad as racism and that is never going to do anyone any good. It is no secret that the Middle East is predominately a Muslim society. Islam, like Christianity has many different sects. These would come from different interpretations of the Koran. Now, not all women in these countries are oppressed, or hard done by. Many of them live happy, fulfilling lives. Their lives are devoted to their families and their faith. Probably the most disturbing part of the ‘oppression factor’ is Honour Killings. These are still carried out fairly regularly. The United Nations estimates 5000 per year, but many believe it is closer to 20, 000 per year. These honour killings are the majority of the time carried out on women by a male member/s of their family. The reasoning may be, the woman is seeking divorce (even if it is in an abusive relationship), committing adultery, being involved in a sexual relationship (this includes rape), not agreeing to an arranged marriage of the family’s choice or basically any way that makes the male members of the family feel that the woman has brought shame and dishonour onto their family. These killings can sometimes be stoning to death a woman and dragging her body around the streets. A couple of years ago I watched a youtube clip of a woman who had been out on a date with a man that was not a member of the same religion. She had not had any sexual relations with the man. Her uncle went into her house and dragged her out onto the street where there was a group of at least 20 men standing around her. They threw big slabs of stone onto her time and time again as she tried to get up but kept falling to the ground. Her blood spilled onto the street. Amongst these men were police men. They were filming on their phone and watching. Finally the girl died from this stoning. They then proceeded to tie her lifeless body to the back of a truck and drag it around the streets. Perhaps as a symbol to provoke fear into others of what could happen to them if they dare defy their families/religion. It is the most sickening and horrifying this I have ever watched. The worst thing is, this kind of thing does still happen. Now be careful not to believe that these honour killings only occur within the Muslim culture, because that is not true. It is also not confined to the Middle East. But these kinds of behaviours seem to be more acceptable in this area. It is the women who live in communities like these, which still believe in this way of life that my heart aches for. This is true oppression by fear. How can women expect to break out of these cultures and societies when they are faced with not only complete disownment from their families, but a humiliating death by one of their closest family members? There is no doubt that Religion is the driving force behind such oppressive behaviours and part of the problem is that there is not a separation of religion from state. This needs to happen to allow change. There are so many things to say on this topic and I have not even begun to brush the surface of it. It is an issue that I feel extremely strongly about. I have much to learn on the issue and will continue to educate myself in this area. I think I will need to do a follow up blog soon to delve a bit deeper. Until then…