Half+the+Sky

//Half the Sky//
Please respond to **one** of the following questions. Afterwards, write your name and grade. Thanks, Mr. Moore.


 * 1) The oppression of women is a global issue. Should it be addressed on a global scale? Explain the pros and cons of creating an international standard for the treatment of women.
 * 2) Consider the story of Woineshet. In general, what role do official laws and policemen play in the lives of the women depicted in this book? What changes need to occur in order for justice to be delivered in neglected or impoverished societies.

1) Although the oppresion of women in developing countries is certainly a global issue which should be acknowledged on a global scale, the aid associations which prove most affective are those which are community based and focused. As is repeatedly supported in Half the Sky, organizations led by local women such as Mukhatar Mai, who supports the education of Pakistani women and girls, and Edna, who runs a hospital in Somaliland, lead extremely affective movements which encourage local women to recognize their worth. Other aid organizations, such as the UN, are often negatively displayed in developing countries due to their often inaffective attempts to alleviate poverty in 3rd world countries. Although the UN holds the best of intentions, their focus is too wide and simply not specific enough to tackle the complex issues surrounding the oppression of women across the globe. Although a international standard for the treatment of women should be established, it is simply not enough to change the traditions which are embedded into societies which are oppresive towards women. More "grassroots" efforts are needed in order to establish women as a necessary tool for economic growth as well as transform cultural viewpoints which hold women subordinate to men. -Eliza Schultz, 10

1) An international standard for the treatment of women sounds like a wonderful idea on paper, but if you were to test it on the societies that need it most, you would find it to be ineffective and it might even make things worse. Although it is awful, this is how these people have lived for hundreds of years and this is all they know. They might get angry when you try to change their lifestyle and tell them what to do with their wives, which they consider their property. There are even some women who are angry that women's rights activists are trying to change their way of life. Although the women speaking out probably have a better life than those in stories we've read in //Half the Sky,// they are still considered inferior and are not allowed to do most of the things that men are able to do in their countries. These women have been raised to think they are lesser and do not appreciate people criticizing and trying to change their way of life. Don't get me wrong, there are thousands of women who pray everyday for someone to release them from the chains they are locked into the moment they're born, but we cannot ask someone who owes us no favors to change their entire way of life. Then there is also the issue of religion. For some religions, women being lesser than men in society is asked for. There are many pros to a international standard for the treatment of women as well. Because all women would be treated equally, the punishment for breaking that standard would be a universal and fair. But who would set this standard? America is a lot more liberal that Afghanistan when it comes to women, so what would be the middle ground? We can't expect a country to go from having no women's rights to women being equal to men. And does that mean that women in America wouldn't have the rights they have now? Although an international standard is a beautiful concept, it is fundamentally impossible and very difficult to do. In my opinion, we need to take it one step at a time and do what we're doing now; small organizations and large charities doing work city by city and human rights case by case is working at a slow but steady pace and hopefully sometime in the future, women all around the world will have equal rights. - Carly Walter, 10

1) As numerous people have stated in prior submissions, the oppression of women SHOULD indeed be addressed at a global scale, but this kind of action is only likely to occur in a sort of utopian world. While many efforts have been made to enlighten people about the issue of female oppression, only more "Western" nations seem take these issues understand that the oppression of females is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with a firm hand. In more traditional nations, the issue of female oppression is not an issue at all- it is a way of life instilled in these people from birth that the women of these cultures have even grown to accept as the norm. Currently, the oppression of women is being dealt with in two ways- actively or passively. Passive support includes fundraisers and things of such that help in a way but do not address the problem at the root. Other people take a more active approach, such as traveling to countries where oppression is prevalent and trying to make a change. This way of tackling the issue is more likely to get things done and change the way that women are treated on a global scale. A global scale for the treatment of women would be ideal; however I do not see a way for it to be enforced without intruding on the lives of cultures that refused to be moved. The book, //Half the Sky//, has made me more aware of the gruesome treatment of women around the world. It has made me realize how lucky I am to have the comfortable life that I have, where I can say what I think and do what I want to do and not live in fear of being raped or punished for it simply based on my gender. -Rebecca McNeill, 11

1) The oppression of women defiantly needs to be addressed on a global level especially in areas in the Middle East, Africa, and China where most of the stories in the book take place. I think creating a international standard for the treatment of women would be wonderful, but it would be hard to enforce and many countries probably would not follow it because it would be challenging whether or not their culture is considered right. Reading this book really made me aware of all the problems that face women around the world, like sex trafficking, genital cutting, and just how women have little to no rights. It is cruel and horrible how women like Mahabouba Muhammad are sold to be a second wife like she was or into brothels, when they think they are going to work for their families. Mahabouba was pregnant and ran away only to find no family or friends in her old village and stuck to have her baby alone. Her baby ended up dying in child birth and she had a fistula problem. Countless stories like this happen to many of women and most of them can not afford to go to the hospital for child birth or fistula problems and then their communities leave them to the live on the outskirts of town by themselves because they smell so bad. Most of the girls in these countries would have much better life styles and less chance of getting pregnant if they stayed in school. I think it is important that countries and people across the world work to fundraise and start charities to help give girls the oppurtunity to go to secondary schooling and help them receive jobs. It would also help to send more doctors and police enforcement over to some of these areas to make them safe and allow women to get help with child birth or fistula problems or any type of health concern. -Madison Farrell, 12

2) In the country of Ethiopia, no law about the protection of women is clearly enforced. So when Woineshet was kidnapped and raped by a man there was no real reaction as this happened quite often. What seldom happened was the mutual agreement between Woineshet and her father, Zebene, to refuse the offer of marriage made by the rapist himself, Aberew. The decision Woineshet made was truly inspiring for me to read about, especially after learning of all the shocking misconducts centered towards women. However, for me, the most shocking misconduct was the one made by the court official. When Aberew brought his prospective bride into the local court to be bullied into marrying him, I fully understood how unfair and unjust the laws are in rural countries. Official laws are those made in order to help the people of the country and the human world in general. Policemen are put into office with the point of enforcing laws among the citizens and to protect. When even the police scoffed at Woineshet's case just because of her sex, its clear they are not completing their duty. If not even the police and other high officials won't follow the law, then it's only natural that the people won't either. Women should not be disgraced like that just because of their looks and gender. So much more pressure is put on us just in order to prove ourselves in ways never expected of in men. In neglected and impoverished countries such as Ethiopia, official laws and policmen play almost no part in womens lives as they do more harm then good. They would rather look down upon them then consider them their equals. The changes I believe that need to occur in order for justice to be served is a heavy crackdown on policmen themselves. There should be serious consequences for policemen not following the law and therefore, more scrutiny on them to enforce it. As is rightfully stated in this book, if more people paid attention to the lack of enforcement by officials, then overtime women would be treated better and less calamity towards females in rural societies would occur. Darby Davenport, 9

2) In the story of Wioneshet, the official laws are abused by the police. The policemen neglect the women and they obviously don't care how cruel it really is to rape a young girl and then try to call her your wife. Police are supposed to protect the people but in this story they are disregarding the women. In the other stories they used their jobs to force the brothels to give them discounts. Forced prostitution doesn't seem like a crime to them because they get discounted sex out of it. The police follow the laws and respect their jobs but women are not considered equal to men, so they couldn't care less about them. The policemen need to protect the women and stop taking bribes. The government should look down on forced prostitution and prohibit it. The women could actually have a life and a future to look forward to if the society didn't treat them like dirt. Nobody should have to live a life like that; forced prostitution, being beaten when you stand up for your rights, locked up in a brothel 24/7. Wioneshet doesn't know what a true gentleman is, so she doesn't want to ever deal with men. We need more people to stand up for what we believe in and help our women out. They all deserve so much better. -Amy Ferira, 9

1) In the newspapers, on television, on the Internet one could see many different problems happening all around the world. Mostly, they all somehow relate back to our countries conflicts with the economy and America’s debt. But rarely do we hear about women’s rights, or trafficking in foreign countries, or how women are horribly used. To me, that should be a number one issue that needs to be taken care of immediately. I think that it should be addressed all around the world that women need to be taken care. It horrified me to realize that many of the women think they have nothing to live for, and some of them take there own lives. This scared me and it made me realize how lucky I am to have the life I have. Life is a precious thing that needs to be taken care of, no matter your sex or race. If we address this issue worldwide there it would be difficult for everyone to stop what he or she are doing just to help this one cause. People think that the world already has to many problems that need to be fixed before this issue, which is not the case. If we were to help these women we could have so many more women role models in our world, and these girls could grow up to be nation leaders and changed the world. Hopefully one day we can all come together and realize what needs to be done. Aimee McShane, 10

1) If the situation of women around the world is to change at all, there is no choice //but// for it to be addressed on a global scale. Only with pressure applied from countries around the world will governments begin to consider the oppression of women to be a matter that needs to be addressed and not ignored. Until outside pressure galvanizes countries content to leave the status quo undisturbed, the unbroken cycle of oppression will keep many women and girls in a position in which they are unable to break out of an abusive and repressive environment. However, implementing an international standard for the treatment of women would like as not bring disaster to the cause it was meant to promote by instigating intense animosity from the countries such a standard would be attempting to reform. To many countries, practices that western nations perceive as gross humanitarian violations (such as honor killings, FGM, and female infanticide) are considered perfectly moral and even integral components of their culture. For western nations to try and pass global laws against these practices would be seen as an attack on a country's culture and belief systems, and, as history has proven time and time again, the results of such perceived attacks are often catastrophic. However, should such a standard be worked towards slowly and with infinite care and sensitivity to cultural differences, global oppression of women could very possibly be eliminated all together (though probably not soon). With a combination of reason, trading incentives, aid programs, and proven success stories, many otherwise unwilling countries could be coaxed to accept an international standard for the treatment of women over time. Of course, while their acceptance of the standard would be a major milestone, it would //not// be the end of female oppression. What it //would// provide would be cooperation in fighting against oppression of women in every culture.

Sarah Fair, 12

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1.) Oppression of women is a seriou s issue all over the world, in some places worse than others. I think that it is already being addressed on a global scale in the means that people know it’s going on and are writing about these issues as well as creating groups and missions to try and help. I really don’t think that it is an unknown fact, but I feel people do not know the severity of it, and more books, movies, or groups should be created. It feels like sometimes there are fads in what people want to help with. For example, right now it seems to be the environment and breast cancer, which of course are both very important, but the mistreatment of women has been pushed to the bottom of the issues cabinet it seems. One thing that really struck me in the book was this: “Women aged fifteen through forty-four are more likely to be maimed or die form male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined.” That really hit a chord, because it seems like there are all these awareness programs for those problems, for example the breast cancer products and support groups, the charities that support bed nets to reduce malaria, and just all this stuff, while women’s issues are not really on people’s minds. On the matter of the standard for the treatment of women, that would be a dream! Unfortunately such a feat as creating an actual standard is idealistic, and it would be improbable that it would have much effect unless handled on an almost impossibly perfect level. How would we manage something like that? Who would enforce such standards? In many of the places the authors talk about how the police will just take bribes, and the government turns a blind eye. So yes, a standard would be great if possible and might reduce the amount of violence and oppression but would have to be handled in a well thought way that deals with every culture. -Emily Furr, 12 ======

==== 1. The oppression of women is a global issue, but it should not be addressed, because then again women would be treated differently. It is sad that it has to addressed, and that our society can not handle treating everyone the same. But, some pros would be that women would be able to get a job as easily as a man, and get paid the same amount as a man. Also, women would not be sex slaves, and be treated as tools. Some third world countries might need to address some issues, but addressing that women are treated poorly makes us women seem powerless, and incapable of standing up for ourselves. On a global scale, it should not be addressed, because globally it is not an issue; it is an issue in some countries, but the other countires should step in help out in some way. - Anna McAbee 11 ====

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1.) The stated question practically answers what it’s asking: if the oppression of women is a global issue, then it should most definitely be addressed on a global scale. However besides the obvious pros that would result in addressing it on a global scale, there are also some cons that would cause conflict in doing so. The pros would be that women everywhere, not just in select parts of the world, would be given the chance to act as they should feel they should. With unlimited rights and the same treatment as men get, women would be able to thrive in such a way that the world has never seen before. However, it’s not as easy as it seems. Certain customs, religions, societies, and practices limit what women can or cannot do. These limitations aren’t something that can change over night. They have been set in stone since the beginning of time. If an international standard for the treatment of women was created, such treatment would HAVE to be universal, and history has hardly ever seen a situation like this. Those suffering would probably hope to have a better future, but because they don’t know any other way of being treated, they don’t know the possibilities that are out there for them. A global treatment plan would benefit women of all different races, ages, religions, etc. but the odds are that it would never occur. Realistically, any attempt at such project would end in utter failure, most likely causing more damage than what is originally out there. =====

-Julia McAvoy 11
1) Living in America, women are fortunate enough to be treated equally as men and with respect. Personally, I would want oppression of women to be addressed on a global scale because it is a global issue and we should to all we can to help them. In most of these countries women have been mistreated for hundreds of years and it is just their way of life. That is what makes it so difficult to help these women because it is against their culture and sometimes religion. This is why the oppression of women is not always addressed on a global scale because people do not think that there is much that they can do. One of the reasons Half the Sky is such an important book to read is because it teaches you that there is always more that you can do to help. A school in Seattle organized a school in Cambodia. Education can keep girls from prostitution and rape because the traffickers often go after uneducated girls. Some families cannot afford the school supplies so we can also help by donating school supplies and money to the schools. After receiving education, women can get jobs to help the family survive. Donations will always be helpful so no one should ever think that just by donating one dollar at Walmart they aren’t helping. Oppression of women needs to be addressed on a global scale to express how important it is. By promoting this book and other information, we can introduce people to these horrifying situations, otherwise this issue will never get through to people. -Caroline Dennis, 10

1) The opression of women is an idea that is engraved into the minds of most societies globally. It is one thing that will not change over night, if ever. We have seen change in our society over the years but around the globe not much has changed. Even if it were to be adressed there would still be that level of force to make equality. There would be pros, for example, women being paid the same as men for doing the same job or women being given the total respect they deserve. Realistically, this could never happen. The cons are more realisitc than the pros. The men would have even more of a hostility towards women trying to break the mold. Women deserve the equality but more than likely will never completley recieve it. The idea of it being adressed globally is, although something to strive for, is not something to hold your breath for. This would cause more damage than it would do help, creating hostility. Bailey Crump,11

2) Woineshet is a poor girl in Ethiopia society, where few protections are provided for women against the violence and young men usually use rape as a bargain for their marriage. The brutal treatment to women is widely accepted, which is really hard to change, because it has already become a part in their culture. After being kidnapped and raped for several times, Woineshet got little help and support from people in her village as well as the policemen, who were supposed to punish the kidnapper according to the laws. Instead of listening to Woineshet’s appeal and arresting, the official did not consider Aberew’s behavior as a crime and tried to persuade Woineshet to marry Aberew. Actually, it is the prejudice towards women in Ethiopia’s society that leads policemen to make unjust decisions. It is really hard to change the treatment in the impoverished society. Just as what author asserts, efforts in create more equal laws are not enough, because few people take the issue seriously and follow the new laws. In order to improve women’s status completely, I believe the most efficient way is education and propaganda about women rights. In this way, women would have a better understanding of how to use laws to protect themselves. Otherwise, with knowledge, women can find some meaningful jobs, which provide them with respects from others, more equality with male and more rights to enjoy. At the same time, education may gradually change the attitudes towards women, which embedded deeply in people’s mind. By learning about other parts of the world, such as some developed area, where women are treated equally, people can enriched their mind and make some adjustment to their old traditions accordingly. What is more, more attentions should be paid to this kind of society internationally, because their government may feel embarrassed by a great deal of social critique and make some enforcement to ensure women’s basic rights. - Eileen Zhang, 12

====1.) In this Utopian society, the oppression of women needs to be addressed on a global scale. There are only two ways in treating the oppression of women, actively or passively. If we attempt to address the issue to everyone in the world, it would be difficult for everyone to stop what they are doing just to help this one situation because no one person can change in the snap of a finger. For religious or political discussions, women are rarely involved because the men feel that they shouldn't have a say. The pros of treating women on an international standard is that no woman is treated differently if they committed the same crime. But the cons of treating women the same internationally is the punishment even if ages are dramatically different. A 12 year old does not deserve the same punishment as a woman in her thirties. Ask yourself, if this was reality what would happen if tried to convince a state/country to change there ways and tell them that all females have to be treated the same? -Mikhala Cooper, 10====

====1) Some countries, like the USA, have taken more time and effort into preventing such unequal rights between women and men. Trafficking is at high use in countries such as London, Paris or Southern Asia. I certainly think the oppression of women needs to be addressed on a global scale because it is a worldwide issue affecting millions of women in a negative way. Addressing this may be a problem, however, because people have religious/cultural beliefs that will not be changed. These could potentially start some sort of uprising in certain countries. Many of women have been brainwashed to believing their treatment is acceptable because of their lifestyle since they were born, so they will not be supporting the change in laws either. On the other hand, not addressing this huge problem around the world has/will cost/affect uncountable amounts of women. A 14 year old girl should never have her virginity auctioned off for money to men in foreign countries. Also, the education of women could greatly help this problem by making them aware of the ways women deserve to be treated. In addition, uneducated women are a lot times taken advantage of more than well educated woman. Half the Sky is a positive example of preventing these global instances. These are something that with time could be changed. The leaders/governments of countries all over the world need to rethink/realize how important the rights of their women are and change the way they handle situations under which women are unfairly harmed. - Julia Elleman, 10====

====1) It is very difficult to adress the oppression of women on a global scale because various cultures view women differently. The United States is already thought of as a country that tries to instill our ethics and values on other countries. Often times this goes against century-old traditions relating to cultural values. This can lead to an increase in tension between the United States and various countries. One way of controlling the oppression of women is through witholding foreign aid to countries that continue to oppress women. Half the Sky is a perfect example of something that well-addresses this subject. It gives people ideas of prevention. For example, getting an education is very important because women with no education are sought out more. Also, innocent girls are sought out often so adults who read this novel should be well aware of protecting their daughters. Addressing the concept on a global scale is almost impossible because it may spark conflict. Basically, cultures around the world are vastly different and putting an end to this is almost impossible. There are always little things you can do to prevent this, but at the moment, the world does not have a mutual feeling on the subject, causing it extremely difficult to put the oppression of women to a complete stop.====

-Mary Williams, 10
1) The treatment of the oppression of women across the globe is a global issue, yet it can not be addressed a uniform global antidote. This is because the scale of oppression ranges greatly throughout the world. Here in the United States oppression of women is considered to be sexism, lower wages than male counterparts, and less important jobs. This oppression differs greatly from that of say South Asia where one would witness the oppression of women in the form of low pay and long hour sweatshop labour. In Europe, the oppression of women is most prominent not in the horrid forms and practices of the industry of sexual slavery and sex trafficking. This came as a shock to me because i never considered that such horrid oppression and injustice could take place in wealthy western nations like Germany or France. The oppression of women is a global injustice, but to solve this injustice we must consider the different forms and styles of those places doing the oppressing. - Cole Shannon, 12

====1) Throughout the world, among copious cultures with varied customs, the oppression of women continues to be a common practice. Even within the most modern cultures, cultures that are stereotypically known for their equality on the human rights front, there continues to be glimpses of female oppression. Beginning with the agricultural revolution where women were placed in their domestic position as men continued manual labor in the fields, the burden of carrying offspring and child rearing has placed women in this seemingly inferior position. Because of this natural responsibility of child caretaking, women have ultimately been led to an oppressed state, where their responsibilities as mothers have placed them at a diminished status in the eyes of many. Within these cultures, where women are socially inferior solely because of their sex, many women are forced to live lives that are confined to their cultural responsibilities. Even within developed countries, where laws restrict companies from paying women less than their male counterparts for the same job, the oppression of women continues to be a universal issue. Furthermore, the oppression of women in underdeveloped countries is overall more intensified than that of more developed countries. Within this study of the oppression of women worldwide, many people begin to question if a universal standard towards the treatment of women would enhance women’s rights and serve to protect women around the world. However, who are we, as American’s to say that our cultural beliefs are right? Or better than varied societies who have held their own cultures for thousands of years? Although in our society, where under the law all humans are to be treated equal and where we generally believe that the oppression of women is an unjust cause, it is ultimately not our responsibility as American’s to act as policemen worldwide. It is not our right to tell people of varied cultures that their beliefs are unjust and that all women are to be treated equally to their male counterparts because ultimately we can’t force people to change their beliefs. As Americans, all we can do is act as role models, positioning ourselves as examples towards the benefits of equal human rights and female liberty.==== -Emma Whittemore, 12

====1.) The oppression should be addressed on a global scale. But, since all countries are different, they won't all take it the same way as we particularly want them to. It would be extremely difficult to address this, because it is their culture. It's the way they've been living, and their ancestors have, too. They would be walking away from their country's laws, and in some cases, risking their life. But in other cases, women would be standing up for themselves like they never have before. Most women in foreign countries are looked at for "sex symbols" or worthless, because they are not equal as men. They are only used to please men. That's their "job". But some rarely get an education, and when some of them do, the men usually respect them more. They come to the understanding that, "Hey, women are useful for something". Some women even in the book, were explaining how they were making more money than their husbands. And that was a big step up for women. While I do think it should be addressed on a bigger scale, I also think that more work needs to be done in foreign relations.==== -Kara Williams, 9

1) The oppression of women should most definitely be addressed as a global issue. Women today in many 3rd world countries are treated far worse than some can even imagine. Although, one of the worst parts about this is that for some of these women and throughout some cultures it has become second nature to be treated to poorly or live in oppression. Although not every country is like this. Many countries view their women equal as men, and many cultures treat women differently throughout the world. This is why a global standard would not work. With the vast variation of cultures and people throughout the world, creating one standard would mean that some would change the way they treat women for better or worse. Not to mention that it would be a massive culture shock- introducing one new standard practically over night. However, this standard could potentially help the women in suffering or living in oppression. So no, a global standard would not work. Although small changes throughout certain suffering cultures could potentially lead to greater changes as a whole. -Elizabeth Norton, 10

1.) Although the oppression of women is most definitely a global issue, it should not be addressed on a global scale. In many countries around the world, is it normal to not value women as highly as they should. This mind set is very popular, and the only way to change it would be for the individual communities to set a standard for the women. Creating an international standard would cause many countries to rebel due to pride and or religion. Many communities would not like someone telling them how, and how the shouldn’t treat people of their own community. This would cause them to do the exact opposite, and would have many repercussions. Also, many countries have a very strict religion, and how they treat people of their country is based of off that. Demanding a standard would anger, and upset many followers of various religions, both male and female. That brings up another point, what if some women were happy with their situation? Would it be right to change that? I don’t think so. But there are also many negative sides to this. Leaving it up to individual communities will slow down the process of change that is needed. Many countries may see nothing wrong with their situation and in turn chose not to do anything about it. Because of that, many women would remain in the situation that they are in currently. One way that would improve the standard of women would be to encourage these countries to provide an education to their female population. Throughout the book, //Half the Sky//, the authors shows us, and stress the importance of education as a tool for empowering these women, and in return improving their status in society. By giving women a chance to pursue a career, it also helps the community in major ways. This would not just be a giant breakthrough, but also a financial incentive to the leaders of the communities. An international standard is not what we need; instead we need international acknowledgment of the situation, and worldwide efforts to try to change, one country at a time. //Half the Sky// teaches us that through information, by determination, and with time changing the mindsets of the cultures can be an achievable goal. - Caroline Pascal, 10

1.) The oppression of women is defiantly a Global issue but shouldn't be addressed on a global scale because every country has different religions and values that your have to respect and slowly make change to. Issuing an international standard isn’t practical and quite frankly would be a waste of time, money, and effort. If you have a country that barley enforces its own laws, as we read about in Half the Sky, especially in regards to the treatment of women do you truly believe they would try to enforce and bring about change because of international standards outlining how women are to be treated? The treatment of women is the worst in developing countries because people don’t have the means to receive an education. People in these developing countries most likely live in villages with their own culture and language; treating women the way they do is a way of life for them. You are sadly mistaken if you think you’re going to go into their village and convince them to treat their wives and daughters differently right then and there. It would take years and a development of a trust between each other not just setting an international standard. Really what do they care if an international standard’s put in place? They are going to think you’re outlandish coming into their country and trying to change their way of living. In Half the Sky the men in some of the villages told there wives that they better not see them at meetings held by the aid groups. Until one of the ladies defied her husband and started bringing in money, he then allowed her to go and have more freedom. But those kinds of things can’t happen in every village. We don’t have the resources to make it happen. So how would setting a standard help if the men won’t even treat there wives or daughters better unless they do something significant that pleases the men. But if an international standard on how women should be treated was issued and enforced, the pros would be fewer women beaten and raped. More women would receive an education. Also, they would be subjected too less harsh abusive treatment from men and have the ability to make there own decisions regarding their lives. Furthermore they would have a voice in their on families, government, and businesses. Chelsa Hill, 12

==== There is no question that women’s rights should be addressed globally, but the bigger question is how one would go about addressing the rights of women in a universal way. Women’s rights are no more than a subset of human rights, and human rights are a global issue. It is a fact that women are mistreated and otherwise denied basic rights in many countries on this planet. Amnesty International and the United Nations are two organizations that address human rights. Amnesty International is known for being a watchdog organization for human rights, while the United Nations is known for its attempt at addressing human rights violations through directed resolutions. The creation of an organization as a watchdog enforcer of women’s rights could be possible and the United Nations is certainly capable of regulating such issues. However, we are held back by pursuing this issue globally because of the constraints of religious and cultural differences among the different communities. For instance, women in some traditions are lacking the ability to vote, work, or even own property. Many have no voice in their own protection, as there are many cases of rape and physical abuse, which we saw in the book. Many countries even tolerate the sale of women as slaves or prostitutes. Therefore trying to have one organization dictating treatment of women to individual countries steeped in religious and cultural tradition may be impossible. In the ideal world, if women could gain a voice from a global organization, many atrocities against women could be avoided and women could thrive in all environments emotionally, physically, and economically, Global awareness would create more possibilities for women throughout the world. ==== Caroline Kalinsky, 10

Throughout many countries the oppression of women still to continue. Women in some countries are treated inferior to men. But I do not believe that women oppression should be addressed on a global scale because in many cultures women don't have a major part in their culture. Even though that may not same in the norm with us Americans it is more than normal for women to not have a say in politics, but would have a say for the entertainment of the males. But how would one go about addressing an issue such as this towards the world. One could start off by proving that human rights and women rights are just the same. Women have a mind that they can use to fulfill and better our world. But it is hard for one to change culture that has been proceeding with the same routine for many years dealing with roles in society. People should not be treated differently because of their gender. A policeman shoudl treat a female the same way he would treat a male. And that goes back to human rights. Treating every person, being on this planet with the same amount of respect. Patrick Williams 12

====1. In an ideal world, oppression of women wouldn’t be an issue to begin with and everyone would be treated with equal respect regardless of their gender, but sadly, we don’t live in an ideal world. So I definitely think it should be addressed worldwide, but obviously we couldn’t expect it to change everywhere. Addressing this situation globally is definitely possible and should be something everyone realizes and sees, but making the changes really happen is very unrealistic. In some countries it could be very dangerous to even talk about these situations. If, for some reason, the issues with women were resolved all over the world, the pros would outnumber the cons by a vast amount for women, but for men I’m sure the cons would outnumber the pros. From a girl’s perspective, some of the most important pros would be primarily, less rape and violence towards women and secondly, education for women especially in third world countries. A few other important pros would be the ability to make more decisions for their own lives without punishment. For men, having control over their family is an important thing to them, so when women try to take some of that power away they react in a very negative way, sometimes in a violent way, which is one of the cons. If an international standard was created men all over the world would react in many ways; almost all men would react negatively, and I'm sure many men would react violently towards women, which could create a barrier between men and women.====