Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Thoughts on Equality of Women

An article that was posted on Iran Press Watch highlights the fact that the women of the world are still not viewed as equal to men in all countries. I have posted that article below, along with a related quote from Abdu'l-Baha.

"One Million Signatures" Campaign: Demanding an End to Discriminatory Laws Against Women in IranIranian women - rights activists - are fighting gender apartheid through the “One Million Signatures” campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures to demand an end to discriminatory laws against women. At present, men have the sole right to divorce and except in special cases, the right to custody of children. One man’s testimony equals that of two women. And certain positions, such as that of a judge, are closed to women. The campaign is a continuation of Iranian women’s century-long struggle for gender equality.
Dorsa Sobhani was active in the One Million Signature Campaign for women's rights and an advocate of the right to higher education. She herself has been denied the right to enter university due to her belief in the Baha’i Faith.
March 4, 2010, Dorsa Sobhani’s father was physically and verbally assaulted by six security officials as he left his house. Handcuffed and blindfolded, he was interrogated and threatened for four hours.
Security officials warned that if he does not hand his daughter, Dorsa Sobhani, over to the Intelligence Ministry by Saturday, he and his wife and younger daughter will be placed under arrest and their home will be sequestered. - Committee of Human Rights Reporters

"I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content." (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 29)

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