While we still might be making 77 cents to the man's dollar, there's no denying that the United States is a world leader in women's rights. But in Saudi Arabia, not only do women not share the same rights as men — but women who attempt to fight for their rights are shut down. Two Saudi women's rights activists have been sentenced to 10 months in prison as well as a two-year travel ban for "corrupting" a Canadian woman — Natalie Morin, married to a Saudi man — and allegedly trying to smuggle her out of Saudi Arabia.
These charges seem weak, due to the fact that Morin has said her husband is abusive and that she's been trying to escape Saudi Arabia for the past eight years. The activists, Wajeha al Huwaidar and Fawzia Al-'Ayouni, were arrested upon their arrival (with groceries) at Morin's home — she had been locked inside by her husband for a week, with not enough food or water. The two were not found guilty of kidnapping the woman, but of "Takhbib", encouraging a woman to act out against her husband. In reality, this was a prime opportunity for the government to shut down these vocal activists.
This outrageous treatment, sadly, is nothing new for Saudi women. The Saudi government is known for their harsh legalities when it comes to women's rights: Females can be arrested for doing something as mundane as driving a car, and can't undergo surgery without a man's permission. Al Huwaidar and Al-'Ayouni have a month to appeal their case, and in the meantime, you can help to overturn this injustice: Contact the Saudi ambassador to protest, or the White House to encourage them to take action.
-
I Researched Over 2,000 Beauty Gift Sets to Find 57 Options Worth Your MoneyHoliday shopping made easy.
-
Meet Mia Rodgers, the Witty Brit Making Waves on 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' Season 3Taylor is one of several new students on the Essex College campus this season.
-
King Charles Might Take Back Some of the "Treasures" From Brother Prince Andrew's Home in Ongoing Battle Over Royal LodgeOne author says there's a possibility the Royal Collection Trust could "start taking the paintings and some of the furniture away."
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to MenIt's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the OrganizationUnder Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State LegislatorsEmily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
-
Your Abortion Questions, AnsweredHere, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
-
The Future of Afghan Women and Girls Depends on What We Do NextBetween the U.S. occupation and the Taliban, supporting resettlement for Afghan women and vulnerable individuals is long overdue.
-
How to Help Afghanistan Refugees and Those Who Need AidWith the situation rapidly evolving, organizations are desperate for help.
-
It’s Time to Give Domestic Workers the Protections They DeserveThe National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, reintroduced today, would establish a new set of standards for the people who work in our homes and take a vital step towards racial and gender equity.
-
The Biden Administration Announced It Will Remove the Hyde AmendmentThe pledge was just one of many gender equity commitments made by the administration, including the creation of the first U.S. National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence.
