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Stand Up for Iraqi Women
Target: Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceSponsored by: Womens Funding Network
UPDATE: The deadline for the new Iraqi constitution has been extended, and the role of religious law and women's rights remains controversial. Please sign and forward to your friends today!
Women in Iraq have more to fear these days than the horrors of war. As the August 15 deadline approaches for the completion of the new Iraqi constitution, women in Iraq fear that their hard-won rights could disappear.
Iraq's existing laws regarding women's rights are some of the most progressive in the Middle East, guaranteeing women the right to vote, attend school, run for political office, and own property.
But Article 14 of the new draft constitution aims to replace these laws with Islamic Sharia law - which could dramatically affect women's rights in marriage, court, education and the political system. The draft constitution also does not guarantee Iraqi women a substantial representation in Parliament, as the current interim constitution does.
A renewed interpretation of Sharia law would turn back the clock on women's rights in Iraq. As the occupier of Iraq, the United States is obligated to uphold international law guaranteeing human rights for all Iraqi people, including the full range of rights for women.
Stand up for Iraqi women! Send a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today and urge her to advocate to protect the rights of women in Iraq by working with the Iraqi government to repeal Article 14 and guarantee women's rights under the law.
Women in Iraq have more to fear these days than the horrors of war. As the August 15 deadline approaches for the completion of the new Iraqi constitution, women in Iraq fear that their hard-won rights could disappear.
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Iraq, January 30, 2005: Women waiting to vote in elections. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Baghdad.) |
A renewed interpretation of Sharia law would turn back the clock on women's rights in Iraq. As the occupier of Iraq, the United States is obligated to uphold international law guaranteeing human rights for all Iraqi people, including the full range of rights for women.
Stand up for Iraqi women! Send a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today and urge her to advocate to protect the rights of women in Iraq by working with the Iraqi government to repeal Article 14 and guarantee women's rights under the law.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Stand Up for Iraqi Women” petition!
# 200:
3:13 pm PDT, Aug 8,
C Moon, Nebraska
Until violence against women worldwide ends...you'll hear my voice.
Until violence against women worldwide ends...you'll hear my voice.
Being a woman you know the dangers...I hope you'll be a voice.
# 199:
2:50 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Mike Sexton, Kansas
if a country is starting new, then they should also implement new laws regarding women that are actually fair to the women concerned and not as bad or worse than before the new regime came along.
if a country is starting new, then they should also implement new laws regarding women that are actually fair to the women concerned and not as bad or worse than before the new regime came along.
# 198:
2:45 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Mary Riley, California
# 197:
2:45 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Gerald Fulham, Australia
# 196:
2:42 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Michael Brewster, Texas
# 195:
2:32 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Michael D. Dowdy, Missouri
Mulsim women are often abused emotionally, physically, and sexually by muslim men. All women deserve to be treated fairly and with resopect, Equal rights for Iraqi women!!!
Mulsim women are often abused emotionally, physically, and sexually by muslim men. All women deserve to be treated fairly and with resopect, Equal rights for Iraqi women!!!
Do the right thing, Enforce equality for Iraqi Women!!!
# 194:
2:27 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Roseflame Flammederose, Iowa
# 193:
2:23 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Graciela Villarreal, Mexico
# 192:
2:21 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Julie Johnson, Iowa
# 191:
2:20 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Mike Moore, West Virginia
Iraqi Women deserve the respect and rights that should be theirs!
Iraqi Women deserve the respect and rights that should be theirs!
do the right thing!
# 190:
2:00 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Wendy Horn, California
# 189:
1:52 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Christina Perez, Louisiana
# 188:
12:53 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Wanda Watkins, Alabama
# 187:
12:41 pm PDT, Aug 8,
Mike Danziger, New York
# 186:
11:32 am PDT, Aug 8,
Melanie Mcginnity, Canada
# 185:
11:30 am PDT, Aug 8,
Shelley Wong, Mississippi
# 184:
10:37 am PDT, Aug 8,
Jacqueline Vars, Texas
# 183:
10:30 am PDT, Aug 8,
Robin Butler, Pennsylvania
# 182:
5:46 pm PDT, Aug 7,
Name not displayed, North Carolina
Women's Rights for Iraqi Women is only the first step to establishing peace in the midst of a turbulent nation.
Women's Rights for Iraqi Women is only the first step to establishing peace in the midst of a turbulent nation.
# 181:
5:04 pm PDT, Aug 7,
Olga Devers, New York
# 180:
1:44 pm PDT, Aug 7,
Kathryn McEvoy, California
# 179:
8:55 pm PDT, Aug 6,
Name not displayed, Iowa
# 178:
4:15 pm PDT, Aug 6,
Ramona Mackessy, Illinois
# 177:
11:52 am PDT, Aug 6,
Anna Collins, Florida
freedon for some or all?
freedon for some or all?
# 176:
8:56 am PDT, Aug 6,
Tim Duda, Texas
If you're really fighting this war to bring democracy to Iraq (?) that means inclusion of women at all levels and civil liberties and human rights across the board.
If you're really fighting this war to bring democracy to Iraq (?) that means inclusion of women at all levels and civil liberties and human rights across the board.
The US initiated and sustained war will accomplish nothing if it doesn't address the rights of women in Iraqi society.
# 175:
6:46 am PDT, Aug 6,
Rhonda H. Tuman, Delaware
# 174:
11:40 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Arran Thomson, Oregon
If there is to be a true Democracy in Iraq, then women must have equal rights.
If there is to be a true Democracy in Iraq, then women must have equal rights.
Oppression of women must stop everywhere if the human race is to make any progression.
# 173:
7:00 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Christine Espe, California
If we are promoting freedom, then that includes women. We must insure that the women of Iraq are protected and given the rights they deserve.
If we are promoting freedom, then that includes women. We must insure that the women of Iraq are protected and given the rights they deserve.
Please help to educate the administration and the world about the impending changes in the Iraqi constitution that could harm the rights and safety of the women there.
# 172:
4:52 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Vickie Glauser, Florida
Honestly, this administation can do nothing, but interfere and create more harm in Iraqs' business (as well as our own)! If you really wanted to help Iraq, you'd stop weilding guns and let our troops take all the women/children somewhere safe to teach them the meaning of true democracy.
Honestly, this administation can do nothing, but interfere and create more harm in Iraqs' business (as well as our own)! If you really wanted to help Iraq, you'd stop weilding guns and let our troops take all the women/children somewhere safe to teach them the meaning of true democracy.
# 171:
3:37 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Julia Camp, California
# 170:
3:13 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Mara Macdonald, Washington
# 169:
2:38 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Darryl Carmack, Ohio
# 168:
2:08 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Hannae Pavlick, Pennsylvania
I'm concerned about the lack of concern shown in the media, government discussions regarding the matters in Iraq, and lack of representation these women have.
I'm concerned about the lack of concern shown in the media, government discussions regarding the matters in Iraq, and lack of representation these women have.
Because you owe them more than an apology for not considering it worthwhile to attempt to help them in the current state of things.
# 167:
2:08 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Yolanda Trevino, Texas
# 166:
1:32 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Sandra Faleris, California
Human rights include women's rights - and we need to stand on the same ground to abolish mistreatment of women in the world. This shouldn't be that difficult to comprehend. People are people and we should all be afforded human rights.
Human rights include women's rights - and we need to stand on the same ground to abolish mistreatment of women in the world. This shouldn't be that difficult to comprehend. People are people and we should all be afforded human rights.
# 165:
1:32 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Dawn Lyon, California
# 164:
1:27 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Marie Sophia Vassilakidis, Texas
Honestly, this administation has done enough harmful interfering in other nation's business, but as long as you're continuing to weild guns, you might as well try to peacefully and diplomatically advocate some true democracy.
Honestly, this administation has done enough harmful interfering in other nation's business, but as long as you're continuing to weild guns, you might as well try to peacefully and diplomatically advocate some true democracy.
# 163:
1:25 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Amy Eaton, Louisiana
# 162:
12:21 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Laura McKinney, California
# 161:
12:06 pm PDT, Aug 5,
Beth Potts-Mee, California
# 160:
11:20 am PDT, Aug 5,
Nina Keefer, Colorado
# 159:
10:38 am PDT, Aug 5,
Mickey Shell, Minnesota
The Bush administration talks of freedom and the rest of it, but obviously doesn't give a tittle for the human rights of females in the United States. However, since promises have been made and broadcast widely, perhaps in this one case one might actually be kept: the promise that Iraqi women will not be subjected to Muslim extremism. This is not a promise to be broken lightly, and women here and around the world are watching intently. Even though the original puppet government planned by the administration for Iraq didn't quite turn out, the US still has and obviously intends to keep control over the country, at least to the extent that Iraqi women can be protected from religious extremists (as opposed to women in the US these days). I expect to see at least this small show of power by the administration by its insisting and bringing pressure to bear on Iraqi officials to make official the personal, civic, and political rights of Iraqi women.
The Bush administration talks of freedom and the rest of it, but obviously doesn't give a tittle for the human rights of females in the United States. However, since promises have been made and broadcast widely, perhaps in this one case one might actually be kept: the promise that Iraqi women will not be subjected to Muslim extremism. This is not a promise to be broken lightly, and women here and around the world are watching intently. Even though the original puppet government planned by the administration for Iraq didn't quite turn out, the US still has and obviously intends to keep control over the country, at least to the extent that Iraqi women can be protected from religious extremists (as opposed to women in the US these days). I expect to see at least this small show of power by the administration by its insisting and bringing pressure to bear on Iraqi officials to make official the personal, civic, and political rights of Iraqi women.
Since you have the ear of your boss, and since you have his confidence, you could make a great move on behalf of women (unless you hate yourself as a woman, like Jean Kirkpatrick, for instance) in the Middle East.
# 158:
10:18 am PDT, Aug 5,
Melissa Lemke, New York
# 157:
9:51 am PDT, Aug 5,
Annette Mello, California
# 156:
9:38 am PDT, Aug 5,
Diana Spencer, Florida
Bush's real reason for invading Iraq aside, isn't his administration's plan to set up a democracy there? Although in 18th century America, "all men are created equal" only meant "all free white men" -- not women and not people of color -- can't we encourage Iraq to do better in the 21st? Does anyone think that women had anything to do with creating Sharia law, under which married women who have been raped can be imprisoned for committing adultery? It wasn't a woman who thought that one up. If a suspected rapist is brought to trial, women are not allowed to testify; supposedly we are too weak-minded to observe, remember, and report what happened. To obtain a conviction, two males must testify against the accused. Given the culture and male psychology, how likely is that?! What woman wants to live under such obscenely discrimatory laws? All women deserve better and the women of Iraq deserve much better support from the United States.
Bush's real reason for invading Iraq aside, isn't his administration's plan to set up a democracy there? Although in 18th century America, "all men are created equal" only meant "all free white men" -- not women and not people of color -- can't we encourage Iraq to do better in the 21st? Does anyone think that women had anything to do with creating Sharia law, under which married women who have been raped can be imprisoned for committing adultery? It wasn't a woman who thought that one up. If a suspected rapist is brought to trial, women are not allowed to testify; supposedly we are too weak-minded to observe, remember, and report what happened. To obtain a conviction, two males must testify against the accused. Given the culture and male psychology, how likely is that?! What woman wants to live under such obscenely discrimatory laws? All women deserve better and the women of Iraq deserve much better support from the United States.
As an important figure in an administration that has done terrible things, you have the power and opportunity to do something great. Advocate for equal Constitutional rights for the women of Iraq. Don't make them wait, like us, for an Equal Rights Amendment.
# 155:
9:29 am PDT, Aug 5,
Janet Kalven, Ohio
It is very important that the USA uses its influence to secure equal rights for women under the new Iraqi constitution, rather than returning to the restrictions under sharia. I urge you, Secretary Rice to use your influence to promote equality for Iraqi women.
It is very important that the USA uses its influence to secure equal rights for women under the new Iraqi constitution, rather than returning to the restrictions under sharia. I urge you, Secretary Rice to use your influence to promote equality for Iraqi women.
# 154:
9:11 am PDT, Aug 5,
Marguerite A. Nicholson-Schenk, Pennsylvania
"The time is always right to do what is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"The time is always right to do what is right." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You are one of the most powerful women in today's world. Surely you are concerned that Iraqi women are being summarily stripped of their rights!
# 153:
9:11 am PDT, Aug 5,
Robin Neft, New Mexico
# 152:
8:41 am PDT, Aug 5,
Cricket Smiley, Missouri
# 151:
8:38 am PDT, Aug 5,
Peggy Basalyga, New York