Two sisters who enjoy surfing in the Gaza strip are
confronted with negative attention and disapproving looks. Sabah who is 14 and her sister Shrouq who is
17 have been surfing with their father since they were little girls but as they
moved into middle adolescence their much loved sport has brought negative
attention. Women in Gaza usually stay indoors and when they are in public they
are accompanied by a male and their attire is modest so what the Abu Gunaim
sisters are displaying is outside of their cultural norm. Their fun sport of surfing
has been reduced to early in the morning, sometimes late at night or with their
father and brothers to avoid harassment, but there have been times they have
experienced negative attention even in the presence of their family. The sisters
have a supportive family who has not forbidden them to give up their love for
surfing. Their mother, who stays at home as a homemaker supports her daughters
but does worry about the attention they are drawing and how it could affect
their chances of marriage. Their father, who loves to surf himself, taught his
girls and has not expressed any negativity towards them. He hopes the media
attention that has surfaced because of his daughters love for surfing will help
the community adjust to female surfing.
I chose this article not only because it was interesting but
because of the level of support these two sisters are receiving from their
family. I am particularly pleased that their father continues to support them
and their dreams regardless of what the community thinks. These sisters in the
picture provided are dressed modestly and appropriately for surfing. I see no
make-up or provocative stance that would suggest they are trying to draw sexual
or negative attention to themselves and they are doing something that is great
exercise for the body and something that they love. Whether the norm for women
is to be a homemaker or not, women have desires and hobbies for other things
and that is what Sabah and Shrouq are displaying. If their dream is to make it
to the Olympics I hope their dream comes true.
http://womensenews.org/story/athleticssports/130221/surfing-sisters-in-gaza-hit-waves-disapproval#.UTEcZleeNMJ
Ashley Lumsden
3/1/13 4:54PM
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