Courage From an Iraqi Woman

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Thanks to Brenda Sanders for posting this blog from the United Nations:

I had a small hope as I walked up to the United Nations building to attend the Commission on the Status of Women (53rd Session). I hoped to somehow make a small difference. I hoped to be able to make a positive stand for womanhood, motherhood and family.

During Commission of the Status of Women, I attended a few women's forums and caucuses and heard repeatedly about the rights of women, some justified and others conjured from anger, resentment and fear. Now, I have an increase in love for my sisters of the world, even though I do not agree with all of their issues.

The forums are filled with language of "reproductive rights and justice", "advancing gender equality and economic empowerment", and "comprehensive sexual and reproductive rights" (abortion). The meetings are full of powerful women who are not afraid to speak boldly and push their agenda at the UN.

Why does United Families come to the UN? We are hoping to have a positive influence on the language of the Agreed Conclusions Document that will be voted on at the end of the session. This document will then be added to previous documents that define the status of women worldwide. We also try to strengthen and maintain relationships with representatives of other nations.

I have always been a proud American. I cry when I sing the Star Spangled Banner. I have deep respect for our founding fathers and for the Constitution of the U.S. But, as I listened to the desired changes made by our US Delegate, (just appointed by Barack Obama), I became deeply ashamed of what the United States represents on social issues. Nations who would look to us as the beacon of light, feel shut out and alone and are persecuted for their strong belief in marriage, life and family.

Here is an example of language that was submitted by the US Delegate.
"Implement measures to increase capacities of women and adolescent girls to protect themselves from risk of HIV infection, through the provision of health care and health services, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, and through prevention and education and that promotes gender equality within a gender sensitive framework and provides, whenever possible, age-appropriate sex education based on full and accurate information."

You may recognize some of the language that would take away parental rights and push an agenda on the children of all ages.

Ashma, a Muslim woman, gave testimony in one forum of her belief in family and marriage. She talked about how the role of woman is viewed as the up most vital part of a family. She expressed great concern for the CEDAW Treaty, (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women). In the first paragraph of the the treaty it uses language about the equal rights of men and women. Ashma explained that they believe in equality between men and women but not that they are equal. Equality means fairness, but not the same. She said that they cannot accept this treaty because of language such as that.

The room became somewhat hostile at her remarks. The USA is among an handful of nations that have not ratified CEDAW. Even though President Carter signed it 30 years ago, the Senate must ratify. With the current political change in Washington there is great anticipation that it will be ratified.

The young woman who had stood boldly for family and marriage was verbally attacked and put down. Women from the audience asked her to address the lesbian and transgender rights in the Islamic countries. As she attempted to address their concerns, things got a little more out of control and the meeting was closed. I praised her for her address and asked her to continue to stand her ground. I said that even though I was from the U.S., I had the same beliefs about family and marriage. She was grateful to have a friend.