Blog 10: New Delhi Rape

We live in a world where the unthinkable has become reality and this story is an example of that. Last week a five year old girl was raped and tortured in New Delhi. Her rapist held her for hours in an apartment in the same building that her and her family lives in, stuffed candles and a bottle of oil inside her and left her to die. The man who is being accused of raping her is a twenty two year old newlywed garment worker who was recently arrested. Sadly the authorities who are in charge of bringing justice to this family offered them money to stay quiet about the rape. On Friday hundreds of angry citizens protested at police headquarters to show their disgust, frustration, and lack of willingness to just sit back while these violent acts continue to occur with no justice. The five year old was brought to the hospital lying on a gurney surrounded by stuffed animals. She is stable but unfortunately she still has to have further surgery.

The citizens of New Delhi are outraged. There have been too many rapes that have not properly handled and too many victims left to pick up the pieces of their life after horrible attacks. Something has to be done about the system and how it is working against the victims. From children to women they are being harassed, raped, and disrespected and these acts are not just occurring in India, they are everywhere.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/world/asia/reports-of-rape-of-5-year-old-in-india-set-off-furor.html?_r=0

Ashley Lumsden

4/21/13 2:49 PM

Blog 9: Woman in New Delhi

A woman shared her story about being harassed in her car while driving in the streets of New Delhi. A taxi driver pulled up beside her and began to shout sexist sexual remarks at her which alluded to his opinion that she should be with a man and not driving a car. The woman noticed that the driver was constantly honking his horn at her and then moved his car in front of hers in a way that blocked her from moving forward. After hearing the insulting remarks that were shouted at her she realized why he was so angry with her. She remembered that the driver had been behind her car and trying to pass. When he saw her at the stoplight and realized the person he had to wait behind was a woman he became angry.    

 Violence against women in New Delhi isn't unheard of and this woman was glad to have the luxury of her own car in exchange for not having to take public transportation. She believed that driving in her own car would be safer but learned the sad reality that she isn’t any safer from harassment in her car than if she'd taken the subway. She did call the police and someone came to take her complaint. The officer followed up on her complaint but charged the man with a lesser offense which led to him having to pay a fine for misbehavior. The harasser said he only asked her to drive properly.

It is always disturbing when I read about any kind of mistreatment of a woman. Even though there are worldwide efforts to try to bring greater equality when it comes to men and women and everyday there is a new story of a woman who is disrespected and left to deal with the effects.

 http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/12/women-drivers-in-delhi-face-frequent-sexual-harassment/

Ashley Lumsden

4/12/13 5:58 PM

Blog 8: Afghan Girl Saved From Early Marriage

By the generosity of an anonymous donor a six year old Afghan child was saved from becoming a child bride. Naghma, who lives in Afghanistan with her parents and siblings was supposed to marry a seventeen year old boy in exchange for the settlement of her father’s debt. Naghma’s mother had to have hospital care and some of her siblings also required medical care which accumulated a hefty bill to be paid by Taj Mohammad, Naghma’s father. Her father borrowed $2,500 to pay of the medical bills but was unable to pay back his debt so Naghma was to be married to settle the outstanding balance. The boy to whom she was supposed to marry was the son of the man who lent her father money. Not only would Naghma have to marry she would also have to quit school which is something she enjoys. Thankfully an anonymous donor came forth with the money and Naghma for now is free from becoming a child bride and able to continue school.

                Although Naghma’s story is touching it does not guarantee she will not become a child bride later on in her life. She will be able to remain with her family but there is a good probability that she will continue to live in poverty which may eventually lead to marriage.  In Afghanistan half of all girls are married before they reach 15 even though the legal age to marry is 16. It is very common for girls to be married off because of a family debt and unlike Naghma there is no anonymous donor to intervene.  

 http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/afghan-girl--6--rescued-from-child-bride-fate--many-others-not-so-lucky-181725317.html

Ashley Lumsden

4/6/13 2:37 PM

Blog 7: Child Brides in Nigeria

    Girls in Northern Nigeria are becoming child brides at shockingly young ages. Instead of being able to go to school to pursue their dreams, they are getting married and having children while still children themselves. One girl Yalwa, who is only thirteen, is already married and pregnant but her deepest wish is to be able to attend school to be a doctor or a midwife. She came from a family with multiple siblings and thought getting married would enable her to be able to go to school. She believed her husband, who is in his thirties would help her fulfill her academic desires because there would be less people that would need to be fed. Yalwa soon came to the realization that her wishes wouldn’t be fulfilled and that she would have to quickly give up that dream.

    This seems to be a common theme in Nigeria among girls. Because educational values are placed more with boys, girls are left to become wives instead of striving to reach their own potential and maturity. At such a young age girls have to not only face the struggles and challenges that come along with pregnancy but they also have to take on the role of a wife which psychologically they are not prepared for. If girls are not married many are selling goods on the street leaving them unprotected and vulnerable to harassment. 

    Hopefully this cycle of babies having babies will be corrected and children will be allowed to be children and mature when the time is appropriate. It is so important for these girls to receive proper education so that they will be able to rise above poverty. They can marry when the time is right instead of marrying because of the financial hardships that are occurring in the homes of their parents.

 http://www.voanews.com/content/in-nigeria-child-brides-child-workers-denied-education/1620831.html

Ashley Lumsden

3/22/13 10:24 AM