We live in an unjust and sexist world

Today, there are still women who languish in jail simply because they dared to ask for rights. Isla Redfern, 15, from Chatsworth International School, says change is possible — and it needs to happen soon.

When most people think of the law, they assume justice systems are put in place to protect and benefit the whole community. Women should not find their human rights being compromised or taken away by those in political power. Despite living in the 21st Century, many countries of the Middle EastThe lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia. still legally discriminateTreat someone differently or unfairly due to who they are, for example because they are a woman, or gay, or disabled etc. against women, restricting their freedom and autonomyThe right to make your own decisions.. 

A leading example of this issue comes from Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship laws. Rather than viewing the consequential protest as appropriate criticism, the Saudi government interprets it as a threat. As a result, peaceful activists were sent to trial over their public support of women’s rights. In female activist Nourah al-Qahtani’s case, she was charged with moderately defined “terrorism” charges and sentenced to 45 years incarceration. And what is she guilty of? Tweeting justified criticism against authorities, specifically for the release of political prisoners who’ve been wrongfully imprisoned and exposed to horrifying ill-treatment including torture and sexual harassment. In an attempt to encourage a change for the better, she has been forced into the same tragic, unjust fate. 

As a teen girl I am disheartened when I learn of these situations, but I am optimistic there can be positive progress. I feel we with freedom of speech cannot sit back and accept that, for some this is a living reality. Unfortunately, as the government has proved, simply requesting overturn of the laws will not be enough. With so many beliefs encouraging their continuation, it is hard to tackle the root cause of the ingrained discrimination of women in some cultures and societies. Changing old fashioned mindsets and opinions isn’t an easy feat. 

In some parts of the world female empowerment and the notion of equality are still viewed as tabooForbidden due to social rules of behaviour.. Some interpretations of religious texts have historically been used to justify gender inequality, suggesting that women are naturally inferior to men. However, an ongoing debate among Islamic scholars presents more diverse interpretations within the religion, offering hope for more progressive views that advocate for women’s rights and equality. Due to religion’s influential nature, this movement will propel society further towards a progressiveIn a political context, the belief that society can be transformed in the interests of ordinary people. It is normally associated with the politics of the left. future. 

Furthermore, change can be promoted by grassrootsThe ordinary or common people involved in a cause, movement or organisation. movements and peaceful protests. Using the media as our tool, we can promote the importance of women’s autonomy through awareness programs and rights organisations that reach both genders. These will highlight benefits of female empowerment, encouraging more female leadership across sectors and shifting entrenched societal attitudes. 

The existence of cases like Nourah al-Qahtani’s in our modern world is highly upsetting and should’ve been made a thing of the past long ago. The frequency of unjust prosecutions against women is evidence that those in power consider peaceful activism a crime and activists criminals. A woman, no matter what nation, religion or culture, should be allowed equal rights, freedom of speech and ownership of her own life. It is our time to finally make a change. 

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Keywords

Middle East – The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.

Discriminate – Treat someone differently or unfairly due to who they are, for example because they are a woman, or gay, or disabled etc.

Autonomy – The right to make your own decisions.

Taboo – Forbidden due to social rules of behaviour.

Progressive – In a political context, the belief that society can be transformed in the interests of ordinary people. It is normally associated with the politics of the left.

Grassroots – The ordinary or common people involved in a cause, movement or organisation.