Sexism: Yemen, Syria

Sexism: Yemen, Pakistan, Syria
While the world continues to think sexism has ended years ago, it is still rampant in many countries. Countries like Yemen, Pakistan, and Syria, the three most sexist countries in the world, have not improved their treatment towards women in the past 5 years. The status of women varies among the middle east, but the stereotype stays the same; women in these countries are passive and weak. Women actually enjoy participating in political and social rights in Muslim countries and have served as ministers in Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq. However, this does not mean that gender inequality is resolved. Many believe that Islam is a sexist religion, when in reality men and women are seen as equal in the eyes of Allah. …show more content…
Gender discrimination has been so integrated into society that practices such as honor crimes, abuse, and child marriage is seen as a normal thing. One in four Syrian women have been victims of sexual abuse, and the offender is let off with no punishment.() According to Article 508 of the Sharia Penal Code, there’s no charge for a man who commits rape, sexual abuse, kidnapping, or sexual harassment as long as he and the victim are married(). The law encourages victims to marry their rapists so there is no charge. With no punishment for men who commit heinous crimes, nothing will be fixed. We can easily assume that it’s because the victims are women that it doesn’t matter. Consequently, this leads to domestic violence, where it is estimated that 70% of married Syrian women are raped by their husbands. Nadia Muhanna, a Jordian writer and blogger, has interviewed Syrian women on their thoughts towards maritial assault and rape, but has left them anonymous, “All my female acquaintances have been raped once by their husbands...with the lack of sexual education in Syria, many women are raised to believe that having sex with their husband is a duty rather than a pleasure.”(Women Living Under Muslim Laws, 2011). Women should never have to expect rape when in a relationship, but they have been taught that they are only here for men’s service by society. On top of that, rape victims are often shamed by their family, resulting in honor crimes. Honor crimes are cases of homicide towards women and girls by family members because the family believes that the victim has brought shame to the family, victims include gay, lesbian, and transgender people. The rate of honor crimes have increased to 300-400 deaths occur annually for the past 5 years (CNHCR, 2010). Homicide should not be a normal practice for a country, tradition or not, a women has the right to

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