Tuesday November 19, 2009 the publication of the story of a Somali woman being stoned to death took place. She was charged with adultery, a 20-year-old DIVORCEE. After confessing to having sexual intercourse with a 29-year-old unmarried man, she was killed in front of a crowd of 200 people. She was buried to her waist and stoned, while her boyfriend received 100 lashes. If the man is married he too will be stoned, if he is single, the p
unishment is 100 lashes. Tell me whether that is fair, considering the woman was divorced and not involved with anyone besides the man who received the lashes. Another stoning took place in November of 2008 when a 13-year-old RAPE victim was stoned for the accusation of adultery.October of 2009 Al-Shabaab dispatched men with whips to carry out punishment of women who were not following the Islamic law. Some women, as reported, were flogged for not wearing socks, not wearing veils (for the reason that they were to poor to purchase one, 600,000 shilling, or about $23 in American money), and for wearing bras. Somalia, having had no central government for ten years, is now faced with no leader at the terrorism of Al-Shabaab who is said to have connections to Al-Qaeda. With ties like these Al-Shabaab is a reported terrorist group, as well as killings that have been connected to them, suicide bombings, and alleged terror plots. With the on-going battles in Somalia and the mistreatment of women and young children, it is understandable that they should come to the United States. We offer equality, jobs, security, and we are human. (In most senses of course, this could always be argued from different views.) There are some Women's Rights Activists in Somalia, but they can't do too much, but in all regards they do their best. With everything going on it is hard to get a word out and help these women see what rights they truly have. Women being raped by officers and bandits. Women being raped by their own husbands with no laws to protect them. Women having no say and unjust rulings against them. They are the underdogs of Somalia. So many women not getting the education they need because they are being taken out of school to be married, given away or sold to rich men as if they were merely property rather than human beings. They are afraid to speak out against the heinous crimes against them, for fear of the punishment that THEY will receive, rather than the ones who committed the crime. Unaware of the rights that they hold, the women do not speak up for themselves, but there is support for them. Both in Somalia and in Maine, should they come here.
Wow, this is a really powerful article. I am even having a hard time finding words to respond. This information doesn't shock me unfortunately, but it definitely is difficult but important to read.
ReplyDeletePlaying sort of Devils Advocate here I couldn't help but think are we using our privilege to change the lifestyles of other nations because it is something that isn't right in our eyes. I am not saying that I am for this kind of behavior and mistreatment. I am asking if we should question our levels of intervention in these countries. I would think that it could actually make it worse for the women who are living in their country of origin. Providing outreach programs here in Maine and in the U.S. is a GREAT outlet for these abused women to regain self esteem, independence, and sense of self worth. I didn't realize that there was an organization to help these women out. Above all abuse is wrong regardless of your culture, location, or lifestyle I think that there is a fine line in some of these cultures to stopping abuse and creating more abuse in the process that is something that can not be ignored. I honestly hope that I haven't offended anyone. As I said previously just trying to see both sides and potential consequences I do not condone abuse in any way, shape, or form.
ReplyDeleteJess, I absolutely respect your opinion on this matter and am not offended. I'm not sure what you mean by mistakenly "creating more abuse". Could you expand on that point?? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI think that the mistreatment and abuse Somalian women may have experianced in their past could affect their lifestyle in the United States. They may be less likely to seek support or report abuse. This is something Social Workers should be aware of when working with this population. Social Workers may need to seek out Somalian clients rather than waiting for them to ask for help.
ReplyDeletehey cindy, i think correct me if im wrong here jess that you mean that our western frame of thought when imposed on immigrants and refugees with different religious backgrounds can exacerbate the violence they are already experiencing as a result of the culture/customs they partake in.
ReplyDeletegreat article by the way you guys....i just want to point out that although we think these practices are primitive and horrendous in nature...we are being ethnocentric by thinking that way. Many countries and cultures have groups with extremist viewpoints and we are one of them. We as a society have oppressed (historically and currently) people for a variety of reasons based on religion/race/sex...the practice of stoning people has a historical and religious context to it....although we as a country have moved away from overt oppressive practices...many things still occur in this country that people in other countries probably find distrubing. We are a developed nation where young girls are married off to older men and raped as part of a religious practice...(polygomy,mormons); historically we have enslaved people (both african americans and american indians) and created almost an entire genocide of a native population. we "americans" are not perfect...
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful image that was to see a stoning, it really made my stomach turn. It is awful to think that things such as these still happen in today's world. Our world in many respects is still male dominated and punishments like the one above show how great a difference there is in many cultures. 100 lashes, to being tortured to death. She was even divorced. Some of the issues being brought up in this class are very hard to swallow. The visions and stories about stoneing is one big example of that.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the article, I couldn't help but think of an article I had read in The Economist that talked about how cross-dressing is on the rise in Qatar, a place that can be very simialr to Somalia in traditions. The United Arab Emirates launched a campain against "masculine women" and thoughts on punishment for cross-dressing include the dealth penalty. This, along with the article posted above, really makes me appreciate how far our nation has come in accepting woman and differences of many different kinds.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good article to show the issues that Somali women either have faced or are still facing on a daily basis. I think it is really great that here in Maine we have a group just for these Somali women. I think these kinds of organizations really help women who really have no strength, to really break out of their shell and become more empowered. I think gender discrimination and equal rights for women is something that should be in the past, and I think that it is really important that we form groups like this one so that we can start reaching out to women who face these issues.
ReplyDeleteThis was very informative. It is valuable when considering that this population will be part of many of our practices in the future. I think that organizations like this are valuable to the well being of a population and if more could be formed in many different area it would be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteThis post and all of the comments ahve been really thought-provoking. It is almost too difficult to even comprehend the kind of powerlessness and oppression some populations, such as Somali women, face on an everyday basis. That being said, I am very interested in the points raised about ethnocentrism. There are some extreme axamples of violence and oppression that seem to be undeniably wrong, no matter what culture or soicety you belong to. But it seems a much more complicated and dicey issue to determine when you move from those extremes to a matter of cultural difference and simply imposing one's viewpoint as "normal" and "right." I don't know the answer to these questions, where that line falls. How does a social worker honor diversity when part of that culture includes the oppression of another group? For example, I imagine we all can agree that we should not support a culture that condones the stoning of women for having sexual relations outside marriage, but what is our stance when we consider something more "mundane" like the wearing of a veil? It is arguable that this practice oppresses women, but it's also arguable that this is simply a cultural practice and part of a religious and cultural identity. This seems a very tough issue, perhaps one without any clear answer.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you bring up some very interesting points. Where does one draw the line. Oppression keeps, in this case, women powerless. Being forced to cover their faces and being stoned are two signs of that oppression. One is more outwardly violent than the other. I believe that we can say that stoning should be banned because of its violent nature, however, being forced to cover one's face probably does more covert damage, (emotionally and mentally). Who are when, and when do we, if at all, do we decide?
ReplyDeleteI was thinking, its talking about women being stoned and killed yet there are women in the crowd stoning and killing. Was the United States so different when slavery was acceptable or during the Civil Rights movement. A black man could be killed for having a relationship with a white women and interracial marriage wasn't federally legalized until 1967. I think that yes its very wrong to kill someone, let alone for something that was not their fault but we have to consider our history as well.
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