In the late 70’s, a 14 year-old girl in labor was whisked into a Saudi Arabian hospital to give birth. Her arms were bound and she was strapped to the bed. She was a prisoner; and as soon as her child was born, she was to be stoned to death for promiscuity. After all, she had broken the Saudi Arabian law of chastity. How? Why, by being gang-raped of course. Her parents had left town for a weekend, and her brother had a party. In the midst of the party the boys took the girl and raped her while her brother sat in a corner; too drunk and high to react. The men denied the accusation – saying she came on to all of them. The girl had a baby girl. She then taken to be stoned, and died.
A lot of countries and situations anger me. There is a lot of injustice in the world, and a lot of it comes from poverty. But how is it acceptable that one of the wealthiest countries in the world ($446 billion GDP in 2007) COMPLETEY disregards women’s’ rights and no one does anything about it. Saudi Arabia angers me. The above situation took place in the 70’s as did a situation in which a 17 year-old girl was acquitted by Saudi courts for her intentional “promiscuity” (which didn’t include sex btw); and was handed over to her father to “punish as he please.” What did he do? He drowned her. In the family swimming pool. While the family watched. Legally. There are so many more horrible, horrible stories.
It’s easy to assume that situations evolve for the better as time progresses, but in 2007 Saudi Arabia still operates by the same backwards laws it did then. In fact, surprisingly, one situation is raising enough of ruckus to actually make the international media: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/21/saudi.rape.victim/index.html
I know every country has its share of injustice and corruption. This however, is ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous that all the world does is look away because confronting Saudi’s money and political posture may threaten the protester’s stability.
I’m really glad that finally the country is getting at least some scrutiny from the media; so perhaps someday there will be a law enforced that won’t allow fathers to drown their daughters at will.
1 comment:
Interesting- why is it not progressing with society? In some ways it has to have, to continue being such a wealthy country that is successful in economic relations. Is that why no one imposes on them the idea of providing rights for the women? If the men can continue controlling wealth, power and law, they have it made.
I would hate to find out what they do to women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia... if there are any.
Keep up the good work!
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