memorial day for women

[Hopalong]

When I think of war and the noble sacrifice of our soldiers, I think also of the ongoing worldwide war against women and girls. So in respect for soldiers and civilians, here's 2 videos (first one is upsetting so don't watch if you're PTSD).

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/05/30/world/asia/1247467951940/afghan-girls-flogged-for-running-away.html

And perhaps the answer:

http://www.girleffect.org/

Hops

[bearwithme]

Very moving Hops.  I don't know if the first one made me angry or if it made me insane?  I can't tell, maybe both?  Hmm.  I really think the one that did all the flogging was angry himself.  He looked mad.  Like you know those therapy sessions where they give someone a foam bat to hit the couch and pillows and they have the person "get it out" and release their anger?  It's like that.  He was doing that very same thing!  But on a human that had nothing to do with what he was REALLY angry about.  All the men and young boys standing around her and learning this.  But this is the world as they know it and they find it justified.  I don't know how else my brain can grasp the fact that this goes on while I sip my coffee in my own office and earn money and respect from my man boss for doing a good job.  I just can't put my mind there.

Thank you for making me see this.

Bear

[Hopalong]

And she was 13. Or 14. And ran away from a forced marriage to an old man.

thanks, Bear...

I know.

Hops

[Hopalong]

Thought I'd rename this thread and make it a place to notice the suffering of victims in the war on women:

They explain to me that Afghan women lack Vitamin D, have no sun exposure, and lose calcium from breast feeding and multiple pregnancies....

This quote's from a hospice physician-ethicist's blog. Because our bodies' skin manufactures Vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight, to keep our bones strong...another effect of the burqa is brittle, breakable bones.

So if they're not broken by beatings, they'll just snap anyway.

Grief for Afghan sisters.

Hops