Saturday, March 10th, 16 yr. old Moroccan girl, Amina Filali, committed suicide after she was forced to marry a man that raped & beat her regularly for a year. This is lawful due to section 475 of the penal code. "In some cities, it is unacceptable for a woman to lose her virginity before marriage, even in cases of rape. Marriage is regularly used as a way to restore the honor of the rapist and the victim's family."
There has been an outrage on the internet over her story and this powerful photograph. It has sparked a debate over arranged marriages that allow this kind of cruelty. For me personally, I cannot get over the look in her eyes. I see sadness and pain there, and a look of resignment. Yet, there is a strength there that I cannot put my finger on. She was a beautiful young girl who had her entire life in front of her. How was this allowed to happen?
Who was protecting this girl? I hope this internet outrage continues and the debate spurs people into action. Where there is a girl like this, there are others, and more forced to do what their parents and judges tell them to do. That is not freedom, that is obedience. Smart, talented, beautiful, young girls are not given the choices they deserve to make the most of their lives with laws like this in place.
We are living in an age of internet and social media. We need to take advantage of the powerful voice that gives us. I think we owe that much to the Amina Filali’s of the world. Share on Twitter, FB, YouTube, Pinterest, StumbleUpon, Google+, wherever you can to spread the message that this is not okay and she did not die in vain. Please click on her picture for the full story.
I would call these customs barbaric and outrageous. I have encountered people in my life who deal with these customs on a day to day basis. Women are treated like cattle in these places.
ReplyDeleteYou live in a world where we are equal and I sure do appreciate the fact that women and men are on equal footing.
I have so many influences in my life that come from women. I can't imagine any of their views would be considered less valid due to their gender.
You rock. I miss it when you don't post.
Cheers buddy,
Bobby
I agree Bobby, as a woman it breaks my heart to know other women are treated as such. I am so fortunate that sometimes I read these stories in disbelief because I can't wrap my head around it occurring in this day and age. Thanks Bobby, you rock too. You have clearly been raised by great women around you, one can always tell. The men in my life I admire have great female figures around them, as well as men. You always have the best comments, thanks for reading:)
ReplyDeleteCheers:)