In conflict zones men are celebrated, decorated, and revered for their heroism; women and children are often just referred to as the bystanders of the discord. Yet, the first and the last victims of war are always the women and the children. Due to this, they are also the torchbearers of change and progress. February 16, 2016
When NATO pulls out of Afghanistan in entirety, the practical and simple skills, like midwifery or sewing, taught to the women in my village, will prove to be much more valuable than mathematics or a push toward village leadership. February 12, 2014
I understand what it is like when people want to silence your voice. At times, my choices have strayed from the acceptable moral norms afforded to women of my background. March 10, 2014
In a religion that has become culturally oppressive to women with disregard for the intended empowerment of women and choice accorded to them in the Qur‘an, it is urgent that we create awareness about the protection of the basic and human rights of women: The right to life and the right of self-expression in its various forms.
April 8, 2014
The most sustainable way to defend women’s rights is to acknowledge that they are more than victims suffering in silence or those who mourn the dead. They are also actors with powerful voices. March 8, 2014
Oppression, especially when undercover and covert, is often perpetuated in the very places where promises are made to eradicate this social ill: in the halls of government, from the mouths of elected or appointed officials, and in the content of public policy, for example. June 10, 2014
Many people, including Muslims, believe that Islam permits child marriage. As a result of this misconception, Islam is dismissed by non-Muslims as a medieval, oppressive, and illogical religion. Those Muslims who possess little knowledge of the Qur‘an defend and support child marriage as a tenet of their faith July 8, 2014
The excessive attention placed on a woman’s purity by her religious-cultural community does not align with the practices and customs of modern democratic societies. This creates a gap that leaves room for the atrocities of honor crimes. August 11, 2014
The sexual culture of Pakistan is fascinating, reflecting a deep patriarchy. While women observe purdah (veiling and segregation from men) at home, Punjabi men, mostly of lower social strata, flock regularly to sexual innuendo-filled theaters without any moral qualms. September 9, 2014
During the weekly shuras between U.S. forces and village elders, whenever questions on the status of women in the villages arose, tension mounted among the local men. This was perhaps due to a tribal and religiously orthodox chauvinism that seemed to assert that, in a business-like meeting between two male parties, women’s issues are not of importance.
October 8, 2014
It is known throughout Iran that one is not allowed to argue with the morality police, such a transgression can lead to imprisonment or even a death sentence. “I thought it was my last day,” the woman said heavily. November 11, 2014
Dark Is Divine aims to rid society of the mindset that beauty comes only in white. It is a campaign that aims to transform Asia into a region where dark skin color is embraced as readily as light, to the point that the color of a woman’s skin ultimately has no importance. December 9, 2014
To reach the masses, films representing women should neither adopt an elitist approach nor opt for a mundane, superficial, and banal way of conveying themes. January 12, 2015
