In rejecting a
draft UN declaration calling for an end to violence against women, the
organisation's blatant misogyny is exposed
"Last week, Egypt's Muslim
Brotherhood issued a strongly-worded
statement unabashedly rejecting the draft UN declaration calling for an end
to all forms of violence against women. It claims that the declaration
contravenes Egypt's "cultural specificity" and would lead to "the complete
disintegration of society" if ratified. Needless to say, the statement has
fuelled the anger of Egyptians, especially women.
But why has the Brotherhood
decided to embark on this confrontational course through the release of such a
belligerent statement at such a critical moment? The president, Mohamed Morsi,
is facing huge
opposition at home and mounting criticism internationally. In speaking
openly, almost defiantly, about the potentially explosive issue of women, the
Brotherhood is risking further anger at home and alienating the international
powers that have been supporting them......
As modern history is not the Brotherhood's strongest suit, I can only tell
them that for more than 100 years, Egyptian women have fought tooth and nail for
the right to be regarded as human beings and to be treated with the dignity and
respect they deserve. Dignity and respect, my dear Brothers, are not
culture-specific, and neither is violence, which cannot be condoned under any
pretext, be it religious, cultural or social. The Brotherhood's statement has
exposed it for what it really is: a misogynistic, power-hungry and hopelessly
anachronistic organisation."
No comments:
Post a Comment