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| Iraq-Jordan |
| American Female Soldiers Seeking Asylum in Iraq |
| 2004-03-10 |
| Two sides of women’s oppression By Sara Flounders EFL - heavily (recommended read for good laugh) How is it possible that women in Iraq--who made the most stunning gains in rights, benefits and participation in society of any women in the Arab world--could suddenly face losses of economic, political and social rights guaranteed by law for almost 50 years? This is not Scrappleface. No really, it’s not! The U.S. war and occupation, whose leaders promised to bring liberation and a new day, have reversed decades of progressive legislation and social achievements that were most remarkable in the region. Yes, we have for many years heard about the global rights of Iraqi women in the state sactioned rape rooms. At the same time, women in the U.S. military face the greatest threats and danger not from combat with the "enemy," but from men in the U.S. military. The number of rapes, sexual assaults and sexual harassment against women soldiers has reached epidemic proportions. Yes...the American women have resorted to stripping off their kevlar and sneaking out of their combat units to find safe-haven among the local gentlemen. Two-thirds of female service members experience unwanted, uninvited sexual behavior, according to Terri Spahr Nelson, author of "For Love of Country: Confronting Rape Dismantling guaranteed rights Iraqi women, by contrast, had been guar anteed sweeping rights for almost 50 years. This didn’t happen in isolation. It was part of a revolutionary upsurge that began in 1958. Centuries of landlord feudal privilege and reaction were swept away... and the debris can be found in the mass graves through out the country. Nationalizing the oil meant that there were the resources to carry out mass literacy programs, provide free, quality health care, subsidize day care and housing. The government provided a student stipend that was an immediate incentive for families to keep both male and female children in school. It’s all about the oiiiillll..oh wait, oil is a good thing now. The rapidly growing economy ensured employment for thousands of young women. Iraqi women were guaranteed by law that if they couldn’t find a job in the private sector, the government had to provide them a job in their chosen field or educational level. The government was the largest employer of women, where they were employed as dancing girls for Uday and Qusay. Thirty-eight percent of doctors in Iraq are women. Women were the majority of university students as most of the men had died in the wars that were fought to assure the independence of their women. snip for standard, overused spittle. Iraqi women reacted by pouring into the streets in mass demonstrations demanding that Paul Bremer--the U.S. final "authority" who signs all legislation--not sign this into law. As we all know, Paul Bremer and John Ashcroft have been campaigning hard for the return of Sharia in Iraq. Women in U.S. military Warning spittle increase Alert - Juche references apparently inadvertently omitted. Sorry, I had to heavily edit for length- but more good comedy inside In February the Denver Post ran a series of articles on women in the U.S. military and the growing number of sexual assaults on them by fellow soldiers. Women who have been assaulted or raped report poor medical treatment, lack of counseling, incomplete criminal investigations and even threats of punishment for reporting the assaults. sadly, the kernel of truth that fuels the lie Young women are joining the military in growing numbers seeking jobs, skills and the means to support themselves and their children. More than 59,000 female troops have been deployed overseas as part of the wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not equal rights or freedom of choice that women fought hard for - this is sex-slavery! The Pentagon functions as an instrument of violence against oppressed people. It cultivates a culture of violence that targets women, people of color, and lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. That’s why they have to trick the oppressed and the women with promises of free money, health care and condos - the white men join freely to rape the women and beat the gays. Military training in an imperialist army conditions soldiers to dehumanizing, violent behavior. Training involves humiliation and breaking down self-esteem and human solidarity. When his Glorious Sadaam was in still power, they used to send the American white male soldiers to Iraq for training in Christen Hansen of the Miles Found ation, who has assisted women who have been sexually assaulted, says, "We have significant concerns about the military’s response to sexual assault in the combat zone." According to the Miles Foundation, 30 percent of female veterans reported rape or attempted rape during active duty. Yeah, right. Say...Miles - how much money did you say you got from the Tides Foundation?? Expect this to be an election issue. Trust me. Reprinted from the March 11, 2004, issue of Workers World newspaper whatta surprise. |
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| Posted by: B 2004-3-10 10:34:39 PM |
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| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2004-3-10 6:44:14 PM |
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| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2004-3-10 3:12:35 PM |