-a quick trigger warning for sexual assault and rape victims-
Crimes against women are often overlooked in the middle east; however, when four women were robbed and gang raped last month in Afghanistan, there was a sudden change in the perception of sex crime victims. It was a trial that lasted only two hours that decided the fate of five of the seven men: death by hanging. The two other men were sentenced twenty years in prison because of a lack of evidence against them. Although this story portrays quick redemption and justified revenge, the event is being looked at through a new, political view. President Hamid Karzai has been accused of using this rape as a scam, a prop to show to the world that their barbaric support of rape culture is slowly diminishing when, really, it's not. In fact, this is one of the first cases of prominence because the government couldn't blame the victims or convey to the world that these women are adulterers and cheaters. The rapists were dressed like police officers. The husbands were restrained and forced to watch these seven men brutally violate their wives in the most personal way possible, and the only reason this was brought to the attention of the justice system was because they could trust the husband's word that these women were not cheating but were instead the victims of a savage crime. I have been fortunate enough to never have been involved in any sexual harassment, but even I know that there must be a change in how the world views crimes against women. Why are we so quick to blame the girl? Why aren't we raising our children to be aware of these heinous crimes? How many women must we sacrifice before there is justice? All I know is that if we can stop using rape as a pawn to get the sympathy of the world on our side, then we will be one step closer to ending rape culture and creating a place where women can feel free to wear and act how they wish, without a fear of being taken advantage of.
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ReplyDeleteYou're right, Fiona! This is an incredible point about women's justice and equality, along with the image of women throughout different societies. I think that we live in a time where actual equality is beginning to surface, at least in some places. It's noticeable because of the inequalities that we see in our own society and in hearing of other cultures and societies, making this scenario really stick out. Hopefully the world will get to a place of seeing men and women as complete equals some day...
ReplyDelete-Sophia Davison
Exactly right, Fi. Rape Culture has become too prominent in today's society and people need to start changing their mindsets ASAP. We are slowly but surely seeing changes in how people see the gender equality, Women are fighting back and it's beautiful. Hopefully in the future we will see Men and Women as equals.
ReplyDelete-Sophie Potrykus
I agree with you 100%, Fi. Why isn't it suitable evidence that a women is saying she has been violated? Why does she HAVE to be backed up by her husband, as if it makes it that more serious that a man is pleading for the same justice.
ReplyDelete