Quantum Windbag
Gold Member
- May 9, 2010
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- #21
The OP claimed NOW did not denounce Sharia law, NOW has:
Amidst deadly bombings, rocket attacks and threats of violence against voters, Afghanistan's national elections took place on Aug. 20. While hazardous conditions likely suppressed at least part of the women's vote, the good news is that two women ran for president, five sought the vice presidency, and some 300 women ran for election to provincial councils. Results of the election are expected to be announced this week. Women's presence is a hopeful sign that a stronger democracy can emerge from this war-torn country; but at the same time, there is plenty of evidence that women in general are not gaining ground.
Earlier this year, President Hamid Karzai signed a law that would effectively decriminalize marital rape among the country's Shia Muslim population. According to The Washington Post, the law "requires women to seek their husband's permission to leave home, except for 'culturally legitimate' purposes such as work or weddings, and to submit to their sexual demands unless ill or menstruating." President Barack Obama called the law "abhorrent."
The enactment of the Shia Personal Status Law highlights a prevalent problem in Afghanistan: the second-class status and discriminatory treatment of women by the government and society, long after the radical Taliban fell from political power in Kabul, the nation's capital. The recent resurgence of the Taliban and other extremist groups in outlying areas has escalated acts of intimidation and violence against women and girls.
The OP made no such claim, it pointed out the fact that a resolution was tabled at the general convention. I know, I wrote it. I then went on to point out that by not passing the resolution they last a chance to stand together with women who are risking their lives by defying that law. You later responded with evidence that NOW supports a useless law law that won't change anything anywhere.
You might consider that condemning Sharia law, I don't.
I would like stronger condemnation, but as NOW points out, the focus should be on the abused women, not the religion of the abusers. I want my elected reps to not only condem, but take real action; something Saudi seems to stand in the way.
Your elected representatives have no power over the law in other countries. Until you understand that little factoid you really don't belong in a discussion about the issues here. NOW needs to take a stand on the issues and stop pretending that federal laws will make a difference in foreign countries that don't care what we think.