A new military unit called the YPJ emerged in 2011, and has been gaining momentum and volunteers since. The YPJ is a female volunteer-only infantry unit based in Syria. Originally started to stop women and girls from being taken and to defend their homes, they are now also fighting ISIS, and have become a huge force in the military. In an interview, one women said that she has noticed a large difference in the way women are viewed back home. With over 10,000 members, the group is not only known for its numbers, but also its determination and strength. Because it does not receive international funding, the group depends on local donations, which further unifies the region.
The Cult of Domesticity also changed how women were perceived, however, it encouraged stricter gender roles and traditional femininity. If the YPJ continues to grow like it has been, it could not only become an ally of the US and a huge asset in the fight against ISIS, but a tool for changing the roles of women in the Middle East.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/16/opinions/opinion-roundup-restaurant-tipping/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool&iref=obnetwork
http://www.theweek.co.uk/middle-east/islamic-state/60758/ypj-the-kurdish-feminists-fighting-islamic-state
I think it's great that women in the military are gaining respect. Women are often portrayed as weak and I believe that it is time for society to see how strong women truly are. -claudia Anthony
ReplyDelete