How much power does a woman really have?

CNN article here!

During the chaos in Libya many people are being victimized, but we rarely get to see the faces of those people if they are not reporters or top government officials.  Fortunately and unfortunately, last week we had a chance to see the first hand affects of the violence that is happening in Libya.

Eman al-Obeidy is a woman who was raped (allegedly) by Gadhafi forces.  As she tried to tell her story to the press (because no one else would listen to her) she was constantly mistreated and embarrassed on national and international television.  This brings up the question, "How much power does a woman really have?". 


Some say that she doesn't have a voice because Gadhafi forces committed the crime, allowing for them to protect themselves because they are fighting for the same cause.  Others say that she was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time and/ or doing something that she wasn't supposed to be doing.  No matter the reason, no person (man or woman) deserves to be treated like this.  In my opinion this completely violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by not letting this woman have justice.


Situations like this happen all over the world, even in America although it is kept under wraps.  I feel like the more we sweep it under the rug (like it is done in some cultures and countries) the more men (and governments) will think it is acceptable and the more women will accept the treatment.  This issue wont be perfect tomorrow, next year or even in the next 5 years, but with the help of all citizens of the world it can be resolved slowly, but surely.

What now?

Read article here!

I woke up this weekend to news that the US had launched missiles into Libya due to the civil war that is occurring.  My first thought was, "how much did this cost?"  after doing the math (100 missiles * 1 million dollars = $100 million) I was appalled. In my mind it felt like Deja vu.  I remember being younger and seeing pictures of Iraq being bombed shortly after 9/11 so I immediately thought the same thing happend...but I was wrong.

After realizing that the US was trying to protect the Libyan people who were being threatened by Ghadafi and his regime in the civil war that is currently going on.  I realize that this is something that is done with good intent, but I feel like this is something that we shouldn't be getting involved in.

Now that we've already launched the missiles into Libya and bombed a couple of Ghadafi's compounds, what's next?  There are no US troops on the ground (yet) and the war is mostly still being fought by rebels and pro-Ghadafi forces in the country.  In my opinion this move by the US and other foreign nations is something that was like a short term move on a long term issue.  Although the war has slowed down and Ghadafi forces were not able to secure the cities that they wanted the big question still has to be answered in order to allow the people who this is all about, the Libyans, happy.  What's next?

Planned Parenthood debate.

As I got back from my spring break trip I learned that congress voted to stop funding for Planned Parenthood.  To some Americans Planned Parenthood is just an organization that does free abortions, but to others it is so much more.  From sex education to giving out free birth control, I believe this organization is something that we all could benefit from.  In a day and age where sex is no longer 'taboo', is happening at younger ages and teenagers are watching shows like "16 & Pregnant" we need organizations like Planned Parenthood to attempt to keep teenage pregnancies low.  This federal funding cut challenges the moral ethics of congressmen (and women) and is not beneficial to the American public.

Students at Wesleyan University in Connecticut made a video entitled 'I have Sex' in support of Planned Parenthood.  I support them, do you?