Forced Sterilization in China

When I think of China, I think of a massive population and booming technological economy; women’s rights is not a topic that comes to mind.  However, the One Child Act in China has led to government-enforced violence against women.  I was shocked when I became aware that a government in modern society such as China’s successfully utilizes violence against women to implement its policies.

After initially learning about the women’s rights abuses in China, I did some research and found some extremely disturbing articles.  Pregnancies that are deemed illegal by the One Child Act lead to forced sterilization and abortions.  In a recent case, specifically on March 19th, a mother of two died due to forced sterilization.  A doctor had advised against the procedure, yet Family Planning Officers forcibly sterilized her anyway.  To cover up the scandal, the Officers offered monetary compensation to the family.  While it would seem as though such incidents are not common, the Chinese Communist Party has admitted to 196 million sterilizations under the One Child Act.  This number repulses me.

I find it terrifying that a government would take such actions against its own people.  In my eyes, government plays the role of protector of its people.  I am ashamed that I live in a world where a government enforces violence against its own women.  I believe that the U.N. needs to take a stronger stand against China’s policies, and that America needs to support this stand if any change is going to occur.  Economical ramifications could be one method of motivating the Chinese government to enforce its One Child Act in a less violent manner.  I also believe that awareness needs to be raised in regard to this issue.  China is very adept at keeping its actions hidden; yet its violence against women needs to be recognized by the world.  Hopefully, as society continues to advance China will change its ways and utilize less violent policies.

To read more about this issue visit this site.

 

Child Marriage in South Sudan

“The girl is the property of the family.  So when she’s old enough and the man comes along with the dowry the family gives him the girl and takes the dowry.  If the girl is disobedient and refuses to marry him…we’ll beat her and force her to get married so we can get the dowry.”

Child Marriage in South Sudan

EXCUSE ME?? In the words of a man from South Sudan, this is the way of marriage.  Well no wonder the Human Rights Watch is paying attention to child marriage in South Sudan!  Poor families force girls as young as 12 into marriage in order to be compensated with a dowry.  Therefore, these girls have no access to education, become mothers before they are ready, and lose their childhood.  This is downright unacceptable in my eyes.  I can’t imagine anyone telling me I have to get married right now, let alone at the age of 12.

While marriage is a respectable and admirable institution when it is undertaken at the appropriate age, it is a prison for young girls in Sudan.  Not only are they losing the chance to find happiness and intimacy with a compatible partner, their youth and innocence are stolen from them at a young age.  I know I sound like a drama queen right now, but these are real issues.  In a time when societies around the world are committing themselves to gender equality, it seems unjustifiable that countries such as Sudan allow child marriage to occur.

In all fairness, child marriage is acceptable in South Sudan because it is seen as the cultural norm.  If the people don’t know it is wrong, then how can they be expected to fight it?  Here is where countries like America come in.  We have the resources to start awareness campaigns in areas such as South Sudan that could transform the way child marriage is viewed.  It doesn’t even have to be a government effort.  American NGO’s could incite the necessary campaigns with pushes for education within areas of South Sudan that practice child marriage.  I think this is an issue that we could really impact and I hope America starts to pay attention!

Where is our Society Headed?

I wish I was five years old again.  At that age my biggest concern was what game I was going to play at recess.  The world was filled with a golden glow; there were endless possibilities.  I could be a president or a princess.  Today, things aren’t quite as simple or optimistic.  The “real” world has a relentless mentality directed toward reaching success and making money at any cost.   While I am a very ambitious and success-driven individual, the idea of entering this cutthroat world after college terrifies me.  Betty Friedan, a founding member of the National Organization of Women and author of the Feminine Mystique wasn’t a fan of this incredibly fast-paced society either.

In the 1970s, when Freidan wrote her book, women did not have the opportunities that they have today.  Yet, in 1997, Freidan voiced the opinion that the modern societal position of woman was not as stable as it seemed.  She attributed the instability to the modernized national values that encouraged corporate greed and the increase in the wealth gap.  According to Betty Friedan, these values would lead to an increasingly difficult life for the average household, which would in turn lead to a backlash against women.  Personally, I have not witnessed any evidence to support this prediction, yet its implications are quite intimidating for young women in modern America such as myself.

While it seems absurd that woman could regress in their upward societal movement, the possibility is still there.  For example, the Taliban have seemed to become even more oppressive of women as society has become more accepting of woman and the culture of corporate greed has grown.  In Afghanistan, the women become scapegoats when their male counterparts face difficulties brought about by this modern culture.  Could this happen in America?  It is not uncommon for American men to take out the stress of work on their wives in an excessive manner.  However, it is hard to imagine this becoming the standard throughout America as our values continue to depreciate.  Even so, I believe that the pace of our society and culture needs to slow down, because if it continues this way then it seems realistic to claim that a scapegoat will be needed.

Betty Friedan - 2004

Ban on Education for Iranian Women

iran picture

I have whined my way through book reports, complained about calculus, and ranted about the unfairness of standardized testing.  Yet, I can’t imagine growing up without access to education.   Even more foreign to me is the concept of being denied the right to obtain an education.  In September of 2012, Iran banned women from approximately 80 degree courses at 30 universities.  This action was unexpected considering that Iran had been one of the first Middle Eastern countries to allow women to attend universities.  Even more surprisingly, in recent years women had outnumbered men at universities.   These facts make it difficult to comprehend why the Iranian government is restricting women from gaining access to degrees in areas such as engineering, physics, literature, and business.   There are many theories about the reasoning behind this recent development, but in my opinion they are all unacceptable.

iran woman

Hypotheses about the Iranian government’s discriminatory actions range from claims that they are attempts to keep Iranian women at home to assertions that they are a continuation of efforts to make education more Islamic.  Either way, banning women from studying majors such as engineering essentially denies them the opportunity to challenge the male dominance of such career fields.  How are women supposed to maintain a stable position within society without the ability to compete for desirable and prosperous careers?  These bans will keep more women at home and make it more difficult for women to increase their political and social responsibilities.

I am strongly opinionated about gender discrimination, and the actions of the Iranian government infuriate me.  While I understand that Iran is an Islamic country, it amazes me that people use religion as an excuse to oppress others.  I can’t imagine being told that I could not pursue a career in bioengineering because I am a girl.  Why should my gender determine my ability to succeed?  In fact, I am much more skilled in the academic arena than in the kitchen.  I believe that all women should have the same opportunities as men, but how can this goal be achieved when countries such as Iran are banning women from education?  Do we have a social responsibility to do anything to change this?  Is there even anything we can do to change this?