Discrimination or hatred of women manifested in a way that elicits ridicule, removal of certain rights or even violence, is prevalent throughout the world, specifically concentrated in masochistic societies.

The Middle East is branded as a place where women are oppressed, with images of vieled faces eliciting cries of freedom from outsiders.

But also in Latin American countries, where men rule major decisions in the household and are esteemed in society, women are oppressed, it is just not as visible as a veil.

And in places of war, like Darfur, for example, women are oppressed through sexual exploitation, rape becoming a quickly-spreading tool of war.

Women are historically more vulnerable then men, and a thoughtful look at how women are treated and oppressed is the first step toward joining hands with them to walk together out from under the oppressive fist.

• 04/12/2007 11:01
  • 03/26/2007 12:19
  • 03/26/2007 10:49