Human Rights Violations Against Women Have, For Too Long, Been Denied

Human rights violations against women have, for too long, been denied the attention and concern of international organizations, national governments, traditional human rights groups and the press. Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of girls and women around the world continue to endure debilitating and often fatal human rights abuses. These are only a few instances of abuse which occur every single day all around the world. Human rights violations against women must be documented, publicized and stopped. Brazil: A man who confessed to stabbing his wife and her lover to death is for the second time acquitted of murder by an all-male jury. The acquittal is based on the argument that he acted in legitimate defense of his wronged honor. India: A 10-year-old girl is rescued by a flight attendant who noticed her crying. Her father has sold her to the 60-year-old man sitting next to her for the equivalent of $240US. Ireland: A 14-year-old girl, raped by her best friend's father, learns she is pregnant. She is prohibited from travelling to England where abortion is legal. Only when she indicates she will commit suicide if forced to carry the pregnancy to term does the Supreme Court allow her to proceed. Kenya: At a boarding school, 300 boys attack the girls' dormitory. Seventy-one girls are raped. Nineteen are trampled to death in the stampede to escape. The school's vice principal remarks, "The boys never meant any harm against the girls. They just wanted to rape." United States: A 51-year-old woman is stabbed 19 times and killed by her former boyfriend as she waits inside a courthouse to extend an order of protection. Twice before he had been charged with harassment. Both times the charges were dropped by the courts. (www.equalitynow.com) One of the most horrific acts of abuse towards women is known as honor killings. In various countries throughout the world, particularly in the Middle East and parts of South Asia, women who bring dishonor to their families because of sexual indiscretions or even rape are forced to pay a terrible price at the hands of male family members. This brutal act is most commonly found among the Islamic cultures. They use their religion as an excuse for their animalistic, indecent behavior. However, Islam recognizes and celebrates the inherent dignity bestowed by God upon all human beings regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or religion. The Koran, the Muslim holy book, is explicit in its emphasis on the equality of women and men before God. "And their Lord has accepted of them and answered them, "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, whether male or female, you are members, one of another..." (Koran, 3:195) In the Arab culture, family status is largely dependent upon its honor, much of which is determined by the respectability of its daughters, who can damage it irreparably by the perceived misuse of their sexuality. Examples cited by women's organizations (MLW.com) show that women are punished, even murdered, on the suspicion of having been involved in a sexual relationship. Victims of rape have met the same fate. Maintaining honor is deemed a woman's responsibility, whether or not she has been educated about sex or consented to the act. According to Sharif Kanaana, professor of anthropology at Birzeit University in Palestine, the ?code' of honor killings "prevents women from having sexual freedom or the right to use their sexual powers the way they want." (Kanaana 44) The honor of a family is very dependent on a woman's virginity. In the Arab culture, it is believed that a woman's virginity is the property of the men around her, first her father, and later a gift to her husband. In this context, a woman's honor must be guarded by a community of male family members to assure she does not infect it, or the family name. The woman is guarded externally by her behavior and dress code and internally by keeping her hymen intact. Should the woman tarnish the family name in any way, whether it be through sexual relations with another man on her own accord, or through a rape in which she had nothing to do with, the men in her family will take immediate actions which

Cell Phones Cause Damage to Brain and Society

Cell Phones Cause Damage to Brain and Society Free Online Research Papers Cell phones are widely-used devices in society today. The cell phone is a useful resource, and thats a fact. Cell phones today are used for many more purposes than simply making a phone call. Cell phones can now record videos, take pictures, surf the web, and provide endless hours of entertainment in various other ways. Unfortunately, cell phones do not only bring good news. Most cell phone users are not concerned with the bad influences, health issues, and other problems that cell phones can cause. An MIT study showed that the cell phone was voted as the, top invention that people hate the most, but cant live without. Cell phones in most cases are good to have, but are they as harmless as they seem? Although cell phones are a useful and valuable tool, they can cause brain damage, impair the body, and influence societal issues. Over time, more and more reports of brain tumors and brain damage have appeared in recent studies. Brain cancer rates in USA have increased by 25% since 1975 (Amy Worthington). This is because cell phones are microwave transmitters. Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic wave used to transmit information from one place to another. Frequencies created by these electromagnetic waves can, cause cancer and other diseases by in interfering with cellular DNA (The Journal of Cellular Biochemistry). DNA There are arguments that people have been using cell phones for years without troubles, but that is because negative effects of cell phone use are only beginning to turn up. Scientists are unsure why incidence of the disease is growing so exponentially (Cell Phones Shrink Brain Cells). Scientists from Italy have proven that in some cases, radiation can assist in the growing of cancerous cells. By testing on rats, scientists have found that EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation can destroy b rain cells by rapid cell aging. Cell phones are handy, but are they not a shot in the dark as well? How can this seemingly innocent item of technology damage ones body? Many kinds of diseases have been linked to cell phones. Recent studies confirm that the cell and cordless phone can damage nerves in the scalp, create joint pain, and muscle spasms and tremors† (You Dont Deserve Brain Cancer You Deserve the Facts). Radiation can alter the brain electrical activity during sleep, especially to young children. Young people are especially warned to stay away from EMF radiation. In London, underage cell phone use may be prohibited in the near future. This is in the interest of Adolescent minds. (They are normally still in the developing phase.) Although it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems (National Research Council). â€Å"When compared to subjects with restricted use of cell phones, young people with excessive use of cell phones have increased restlessness with more careless lifestyles† (Science Daily). Lack of sleep and increased cell phone use can be a recipe for disaster. Sleep-wake patterns can be altered, along with â€Å"serious health risks as well as attention and cognitive problems† (Dr. Badre- â€Å"Science News†). Problems have arisen, because of people multitasking, or using their cell phones while trying to accomplish everyday activities. Danger of using phones on planes, in movie theaters, grocery stores, and cars increase everyday. A report from 2003 states, â€Å"Cell phone distraction results in 2,600 deaths, 330,000 injuries, and 1.5 million instances of property damage in the United States each year.† Cell phones evoke many disturbances, as well. Phone etiquette does not have a finely drawn line, and is hard to judge, so sometimes people are unsure whether using a cell phone in a certain place is rude or not. This universal, trendy device creates habitual tendencies in this world. Some feel like they can go no where without them. â€Å"Ninety percent of cell phone owners say they use the phone while driving† (Human Factors and Ergonomics Society). People become attached to these devices, because they have grown to need it. Texting is popular with many people, not only te ens. Cell phones are not just a helpful tool, either. They are a money maker, and companies have spent millions of dollars, researching to find results of cell phone safety. The findings were not good, so they don’t spread around those facts. â€Å"In 1993, the telecom industry committed $25 million dollars for a series of research projects designed to prove that cell phones are safe†¦they proved that federal microwave exposure standards are dangerously inadequate..† (Amy Worthington). Just because cell phones have the ability to damage, does not imply that they are always harmful. Still, the fact remains that cell phone users know the positive facts about cellular telephones far better than the unpleasant details that also subsist. Two Hundred and Sixty-Six million people have subscribed to wireless communication thanks to publicizing of this resources strengths, not frailties. There are ways to be smart about cell phone use, such as using a headset, or a landline, and limiting use of the accessory. Cell phones are trendy, universal, and valuable, but are they worth risking ourselves, our brains, and our way of life? 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