There aren't words to properly convey what a tragedy it is to be born in a country that is so beautiful and yet so backwards. And by backwards I mean without the means to protect yourself from violence, abuse and neglect. It seems surreal that this day in age, there are adolescent girls being sent off to "marry" men many times their age to face such intense physical and emotional vulnerability, and in some cases - certain death.
Yemini Child Bride Dies after Marriage
Human rights groups have tried to make the legal marriage age 17. One of the cases made by the Yemen courts is that families should have ultimate say as to when to allow their children to marry. Why aren't parents protecting their children more? The socially condoned system of enforced naivete, paucity of proper education/socialization and women simply not having the right to have a say in the matters of their own life and survival. Gender discrimination takes on many faces, both in the developed and undeveloped world.
In America, we see differences in salary for the same work as men, less frequency of promotion, and difficulty returning to work after giving birth. In developing countries, young girls are often not given the opportunity attend school because they are seen as more likely to raise families and less probably engaged in earning a living. Compared to male children, young girls are given less food, less formal education and a clear barrier to think and have a voice in what happens to them. When will we arrive at a place where all people, regardless of gender can have direct means of fulfilling their most basic needs.
Which is why stories like this remind me that the human spirit flickers bright everywhere, no matter how oppressive the society and circumstance:
Eight Year Old Saudi girl granted divorce from 47 year old Husband
Rage on, little girls, wherever you are!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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