Falconer 1

Chloe Falconer
Williams
English 112
9 April 2015
Womens Rights in the Middle East Speech
Discrimination against women is defined by the United Nations General Assembly in The
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as, "...any
distinction, exclusion, or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of
impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their
marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field (Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Article 1). Feminism is a term heard
by many but is often misunderstood. Feminism is the wanting of equal rights between women
and men globally. One region in particular that has come into the public eye for inequalities is
the middle east. In the Middle East women face a number of hardships and roadblocks when
searching for freedom and autonomy from a society that oppresses them.
Some religions of the region also act as repressive force. Beliefs such as males being the
dominant gender, and therefore head of the household, dont allow women, whether children or
wives, to be independent. From forbidding women to drive or go on social outings without a
male chaperone, to being restricted from voting in elections and forced into arranged marriages,
women are persecuted and maltreated in almost all aspect of their lives. On top of this, some
radical religious beliefs include not educating women and even go as far as to resort to violence
to control womens lives.

Falconer 2

When faced with injustices such as these in the Middle East, we as individuals, as a
community, and as an entire nation, are called to spread awareness and support for the fight of
equality globally. This can be done in small ways, such as writing a speech on the atrocities faced
by women in the Middles East, to larger ways such as donating monetary goods or services to
organizations and charities that aid and assist those living in discriminatory societies. Therefore I
urge you to go out and promote awareness of the oppression and discrimination women in the
Middle East face on a daily basis.