Zainah Anwar: Arab Spring opens window of opportunity for women in Mideast

[Ihavequestions 419]

Yes, it's more shameful to have a child out of wedlock than to abandon a child. They don't care about the child as a human being. They care about how they're going to save face. Saving face means denying the child even exists, in most cases. I'm not saying every Arab that was ever born feels this way but I'd say about 90+% feel this way. Arabs aren't concerned with their illegitimate kids becoming millionaires one day. And forget about karma. That doesn't work either.

That's an accurate assessment.

Without a father to register its birth, there is no birth certificate. No birth certificate and there is no school, no access to the health care system, and no name. Illegitimate children are raised in orphanages. Once a year, there's a legal holiday in Egypt, Orphans Day, and people give to orphanages and maybe even haul them out for a day of fun and games. Then they're shoved back into the orphanages while the rest of the country goes on about life, never addressing why there are orphans in the first place. Boys stay in the orphanages until they're 7, then they're turned out into the street. Girls? They get married very young, even though that's illegal, but then orphans aren't given any rights, much less human or legal rights.

The US isn't entirely innocent. It wasn't that long ago that young ladies were shipped off to "Homes for Unwed Mothers."

[NY_BX 397]

thats of course AFTER they marry the harlot with no morals, character or values and secure their papers..

then they look for someone they can really love LOL..

And love alone is not enough to endure tragedies and lifes problems. Unfortunately love seems to be all you are seeking at sometimes of your life. Which is why batteries are looking better and better as far as I am concerned

... now that's why I call practical, LOL! Great point too. "Let me marry the convenient one, regardless off...."

Love shouldn't be the only thing we seek, which is what Mithra points out.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

"Love don't do the dishes..."

(Can't find the Youtube right now)

Edited May 24, 2012 by wife_of_mahmoud

[NY_BX 397]

That's an accurate assessment.

Without a father to register its birth, there is no birth certificate. No birth certificate and there is no school, no access to the health care system, and no name. Illegitimate children are raised in orphanages. Once a year, there's a legal holiday in Egypt, Orphans Day, and people give to orphanages and maybe even haul them out for a day of fun and games. Then they're shoved back into the orphanages while the rest of the country goes on about life, never addressing why there are orphans in the first place. Boys stay in the orphanages until they're 7, then they're turned out into the street. Girls? They get married very young, even though that's illegal, but then orphans aren't given any rights, much less human or legal rights.

The US isn't entirely innocent. It wasn't that long ago that young ladies were shipped off to "Homes for Unwed Mothers."

I'm at a loss for words....

Thank you for posting this. Do you know of any organizations addressing this issue?

"Love don't do the dishes..."

(Can't find the Youtube right now)

OMG! LOL!

and doesn't cook either.

[Ihavequestions 419]

Thank you for posting this. Do you know of any organizations addressing this issue?

Addressing the issue in what way?

[NY_BX 397]

Addressing the issue in what way?

any way: education, for example...

[Ihavequestions 419]

any way: education, for example...

Education?

Educating who? About what?

I'm just looking for a little direction so I can answer your question.

[NY_BX 397]

Education?

Educating who? About what?

I'm just looking for a little direction so I can answer your question.

Meaning, are there any educational campaigns regarding orphanages in MENA or situations like you described?

If you prefer to chat about this offline, let me know.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

That's an accurate assessment.

Without a father to register its birth, there is no birth certificate. No birth certificate and there is no school, no access to the health care system, and no name. Illegitimate children are raised in orphanages. Once a year, there's a legal holiday in Egypt, Orphans Day, and people give to orphanages and maybe even haul them out for a day of fun and games. Then they're shoved back into the orphanages while the rest of the country goes on about life, never addressing why there are orphans in the first place. Boys stay in the orphanages until they're 7, then they're turned out into the street. Girls? They get married very young, even though that's illegal, but then orphans aren't given any rights, much less human or legal rights.

The US isn't entirely innocent. It wasn't that long ago that young ladies were shipped off to "Homes for Unwed Mothers."

I remember a few years ago that Morocco had some kind of a milk carton marry an orphan thing where the government provided the money to marry an orphan etc. Makes you wonder if some of the girls end up with the whole 50 year old husband when they are 19 etc. oh well

Meaning, are there any educational campaigns regarding orphanages in MENA or situations like you described?

If you prefer to chat about this offline, let me know.

no.. they have some charities etc but the lives of these kids are pretty dismal even afterwards.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Sometimes, when governments fail to do what is right, extraordinary people have stepped up to personally take the initiative to do what needs to be done. They are heroes.

Hind al-Husseini

Hind al-Husseini (1916-1994), born in Jerusalem, was a dedicated Palestinian social activist and humanist. In April 1948, she found fifty-three orphaned children - survivors from the massacre at Deir Yassin - who had been literally dumped along the wall of the Old City.

In her own words:

I was walking along the streets of the Old City when I came upon a group of the most wretched children. They had been carried from their homes, snatched from the protecting arms of their parents, and thrown into the streets of the Old City. They stood huddled together against the lofty walls of the Holy City, casting terrified looks toward Heaven as if supplicating and praying for an end to that horrible nightmare. Those innocent puzzled eyes glittering with tears made everyone wonder how such outrages could be committed against humanity in an age of enlightenment and knowledge.

At first she fed and sheltered these children in two rooms inside the Old City. Then on April 25, 1948, she founded an orphanage and school, Dar el-Tifl el-Arabi (Home of the Arab Child,) in her house.

Before 1967, additional buildings were constructed and eventually Dar el-Tifl cared for 350 orphans and 1,600 day students. Miss al-Husseini directed its activities for 46 years, until her death in 1994. Dar el-Tifl still remains.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Sometimes, when governments fail to do what is right, extraordinary people have stepped up to personally take the initiative to do what needs to be done. They are heroes.

Hind al-Husseini

Hind al-Husseini (1916-1994), born in Jerusalem, was a dedicated Palestinian social activist and humanist. In April 1948, she found fifty-three orphaned children - survivors from the massacre at Deir Yassin - who had been literally dumped along the wall of the Old City.

In her own words:

why deir yassin is buried in the annals of history, i will never understand

At first she fed and sheltered these children in two rooms inside the Old City. Then on April 25, 1948, she founded an orphanage and school, Dar el-Tifl el-Arabi (Home of the Arab Child,) in her house.

Before 1967, additional buildings were constructed and eventually Dar el-Tifl cared for 350 orphans and 1,600 day students. Miss al-Husseini directed its activities for 46 years, until her death in 1994. Dar el-Tifl still remains.

[NY_BX 397]

Sometimes, when governments fail to do what is right, extraordinary people have stepped up to personally take the initiative to do what needs to be done. They are heroes.

Hind al-Husseini

Hind al-Husseini (1916-1994), born in Jerusalem, was a dedicated Palestinian social activist and humanist. In April 1948, she found fifty-three orphaned children - survivors from the massacre at Deir Yassin - who had been literally dumped along the wall of the Old City.

In her own words:

At first she fed and sheltered these children in two rooms inside the Old City. Then on April 25, 1948, she founded an orphanage and school, Dar el-Tifl el-Arabi (Home of the Arab Child,) in her house.

Before 1967, additional buildings were constructed and eventually Dar el-Tifl cared for 350 orphans and 1,600 day students. Miss al-Husseini directed its activities for 46 years, until her death in 1994. Dar el-Tifl still remains.

Incredible, thank you for posting this.

I am baffled these things continue to happen in this day and age, though not surprised. We need more heroes like her.

Bottom line, everyone should be free to believe what they want to believe. If you believe it's a shame to procreate out of wedlock, then that's your belief. Good for you; just don't do it! If you believe pointy hats/ veils or unshaved legs or being a recluse brings you closer to god, more power to you. If you believe aliens created the universe alongside the hand of the divine while traveling on top of a comet getting high on stardust. Good for you, that's your belief. If you believe there is not such being as god and that a belief system is based upon compassion and common sense, more power to you. But to abandon children and toss them like garbage? It's outrageous! To take action on a belief system that will affect many more, if not everyone negatively, is beyond my comprehension.

These are all personal believe systems that should remain personal- and that includes religion. So when you have a government not doing the right thing, especially because it is based on religious beliefs, it is time to turn the dial and listen.... and change.

And by the way, we're seeing this here: the war on women in the US alive.

Edited May 24, 2012 by NY_BX

[Mithra 1,185]

It's great that there are extraordinary ppl doing extraordinary things. That's the best that we can hope for, unfortunately.

"This day and age" only applies to progressive thinkers and unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of progressive thinkers in MENA.

I'm not taking the mens' side here but it does take two to make a baby. The women shouldn't be participating in out of wedlock sex either because they know the outcome should an illegitimate child be born. The innocent children are the victims.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

This article may shed more light on the situation in Egypt. It also gives names of some of the orphanages that would probably welcome assistance from anyone interested in actually doing something to help these children:

Beloved outcasts

http://www.mafhoum.com/press7/187S28_fichiers/adoption0804.htm

[NY_BX 397]

This article may shed more light on the situation in Egypt. It also gives names of some of the orphanages that would probably welcome assistance from anyone interested in actually doing something to help these children:

Beloved outcasts

http://www.mafhoum.com/press7/187S28_fichiers/adoption0804.htm

Thank you so much!

This is great.