Mali protest against women's law

[Heidi]

Source: BBC

Page last updated at 00:09 GMT, Sunday, 23 August 2009 01:09 UK

Tens of thousands of people in Mali's capital, Bamako, have been protesting against a new law which gives women equal rights in marriage.

The law, passed earlier this month, also strengthens inheritance rights for women and children born out of wedlock.

The head of a Muslim women's association says only a minority of Malian women - "the intellectuals" as she put it - supports the law.

Several other protests have taken place in other parts of the country.

<snip>

One of the most contentious issues in the new legislation is that women are no longer required to obey their husbands.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8216568.stm

[winyanstaz]

1. I still have a dream..that one day...all people will be free.

[Quantess]

2. Those damn "intellectuals". Always causing trouble. (n/t)

[Heidi]

3. They think they're so _smart_.

[Iggo]

13. LOL....Like, totally!

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. "The poor and illiterate women of this country - the real Muslims " This says it all

[Sultana]

22. Yea,

I'm sure their Prophet's first wife Khadijah is rolling in her grave. She was a smart business woman and the Prophet was a kept man.

[Sultana]

23. Oopsie, DUPE

[Solly Mack]

5. Damn...just damn.

Chained and trained to their "kick-me" sign

[TommyPaine]

6. What a lovely anachronism, the religious mindset.

Protesting against receiving equal rights. "Real" Muslim women are poor and illiterate. An almighty supreme being wants you to do whatever your husband tells you, or else. This kind of thing really gives me hope for humanity.

Of course, those poor, illiterate, authentic Muslim women are opposed to this law mostly because they fear the backlash from the men. I feel sorry for them, pity them, and wish them the best. Hopefully they'll be able to pick up a book without having to worry about it.

[Odin2005]

21. They are like "Pro-Life" women here in the US.

[grahamhgreen]

7. Why are our troops dying to set up an Islamic republic in Afghanistan ?

[ohio2007]

8. only a minority of Malian women - "the intellectuals" as she put it - supports the law.

...Laws can be changed so as to put an end to this "springtime in Prague" moment


or


these "intellectuals" can be dealt with in a more honorable way threreby putting an end to any French traces left in the land









http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali

[no_hypocrisy]

9. How many women do you suppose are there voluntarily protesting?

Or are they afraid of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons if they don't march?

[Robb]

10. Faith is powerful. Don't assume anything. nt

[Taverner]

17. Exactly. If it can make a college educated man fly a plane into the WTC

And yes, believe what you will, Atta was flying that plane.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. Fear of change among the not-too-bright

When the feminist movement first hit the U.S. in the late 1960s, early 1970s, there were a LOT of women who didn't get it.

[Sultana]

12. Dumb, dumb bitches!

They just love being 2nd class citizens, shame on them.

[Robb]

14. Well, that's productive. nt

[ohio2007]

15. Severity of Islamic Law Fuels Debate in Malaysia ( the dumb shall inherit the earth )

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- In coming days, a Muslim woman named Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno who drank beer in a hotel bar will be caned under Islamic laws. Some political analysts cite the country's increasingly fractious politics as one reason she'll become the first Malaysian woman caned for the offense.

Drinking alcohol is illegal for Malaysia's Muslims, who make up about 60% of the nation's 27 million people. Usually, those who are caught are subjected to a fine or brief prison sentence. Non-Muslims, including large ethnic-Chinese and Indian communities, are free to drink as they please and aren't subject to Shariah law.

But Ms. Kartika has been sentenced to six lashes with a rattan cane. On Friday, the 32-year-old mother of two asked for the punishment to be carried out in public to deter other Muslims from drinking alcohol.
Her punishment, ordered by an Islamic court last Wednesday, comes at a time of political tension in Malaysia



snip

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125102803820651875.html...


I see her little Susan B. Anthony publicity PR game she is really playing.

[Mudoria]

16. I wonder if she supports this kind of thing for "intellectual muslim women"?

[David__77]

18. Democracy should not be the highest ideal.

Sometimes people must be persuaded of the correct thinking through more active measures.

[LeftishBrit]

19. Here's to greater rights for the women of Mali!

Progress always meets with resistance.

[Odin2005]

20. Religion and tribalistic idiocy is evil.

[ohio2007]

24. maybe they need "a beer summit" to work it all out.... oh wait.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...