Where It’s Hardest to be a Woman
As a camp based on female empowerment with intentional diversity, it is only right for us to not only know about female limitations in our own country, but also in others. One major population consistently placed in an inferior position is that of Arab women. I found a recent article on Buzzfeed, ironically, when I was searching for something funny to send to a friend. When I looked at the article, I was astonished. I had no idea there was so many difficulties and struggles for Arab women outside of their traditional dress. Most people are aware of their limitations based on the extremely conservative garb the women adorn. Their traditional garments provide a sliver of insight into the daily oppression this group of women endures.
Some highlights/lowlights from the article include:
- Even while Arab women have been at the forefront of the Middle East’s uprisings, a new poll finds that sexual violence, female genital mutilation, and legal discrimination continue to undermine advances in gender equality around the region.
- Egypt is the worst Arab state to be a woman.
- Up to 99.3% of Egyptian women and girls are subject to sexual harassment.
- An estimated 91% of Egyptian women are victims of female genital mutilation.
- Mass sexual assault of women at political protests is a particularly disturbing phenomenon.
Indeed, the article’s content is shocking; it’s disturbing to know that gender discrimination prevails unimpeded in many parts of the world. In the U.S., there are women demanding more leadership roles or promotions in their companies, young girls asking to buy a designer bag, and the like—all while females in other countries who aren’t even allowed to get their drivers’ license or obtain a passport.
How do you think women as a community in a free country might be able to help this population break free from their male-dominated societies?