My name is Fatiha, I am Moroccan, and I am a big fan of this blog and your work. A source of inspiration and hope for women in the Middle East and North Africa. My story is a ‘regular’ one in this part of the world, being discriminated at all levels, especially in my workplace […]
Category Archives: Women’s Roles and Situations
Entre le religieux et l’a-religieux, j’appelle au dialogue des féministes libanaises
Je fais partie de la génération des enfants de la guerre des années 70-80 du siècle dernier au Liban. Suite aux accords de Taëf et l’arrêt des combats internes en 1989-1990, je portai en moi tant une mémoire meurtrie que la soif de la découverte de la vérité sur le passé. Construire mon identité en […]
What about Marital Rape?
I thought of writing this post a while ago, when students of mine were talking about marital rape as if it was a futile subject to tackle, claiming that women have the obligation of satisfying their husbands’ sexual needs (‘sex is a wifely duty’), that their own desire and consent do not matter, that God […]
لا للعنف… لا للصمت
يحتفل العالم اليوم بيوم المرأة، تكرّم سيّدات رائدات في مجالهنّ، تقام الندوات والمؤتمرات التي تناقش حقوق المرأة، وطموحاتها، وانجازاتها في الميادين السياسية والاجتماعيّة والاقتصاديّة كافّة. يغيّر محرك البحث جوجل Google شكل صفحته الرئيسيّة احتفالًا بالمناسبة. ولكن في زاوية مظلمة، في مكان ما، امراة لا تشارك بمظاهر الاحتفال. امرأة يضربها زوجها بوحشيّة، يغتصبها ان لم […]
A selection of poems by Ivonne Gordon Carrera Andrade
Ojos Me miré con otros ojos, me vi pasar envolver el viento en un botón. Me vi pasar con un saco de lona vacío de rastros y huellas. Las marcas de las yemas se habían borrado. Y me ví pasar. Un cuerpo, un rumor, un silencio. Me vi rodeada de albores silentes de ágata cristalizada […]
The Heiress of Chromosome X
Most articles, documentaries and media stories in Lebanon are focusing nowadays on domestic violence issues. True that women should be protected by a law, and crimes should be punished, but there are other violations against women’s rights that should be addressed, including gender inequality in inheritance. This important issue isn’t really known, but it remains a […]
Women’s Citizenship Rights in Lebanon
When I think of Lebanon and compare it to other countries also found in Western Asia, I consider it far less restrictive concerning the women’s right point of view. However, seeing women with all kinds of plastic surgeries, driving fancy cars and going out every night does not necessarily mean that they have the freedom they […]
Battered …Still Undefeated
To wear your love… Thorns that crown my head and glide your ring… A noose around my neck To bear your seed… A burden in my womb To carve your name… A curse upon my tomb. To share your faith But demonize your God And quench this thirst That I have long begot. […]
Je suis une femme
Je suis une femme Il est un homme Je suis intelligente Il croit que je ne le suis pas Je peux travailler Il croit que je ne le peux pas Je sais conduire Il croit que je ne le sais pas Et Elle, aussi, a fini par croire à ça! Dis-moi, homme! Qui t’a porté […]
Voir Milène – la femme souillée
Milène J’effacerai le sang qu’ils esquivaient à ta naissance Je ferai de leurs jours le miracle de ton défi Je t’ouvrirai les fleurs noircies par l’été Et tu entreras dans la manne des folies Milène sarclée de déni Nous marcherons ce soir sur tous leurs néants Nous chanterons à la manière des cygnes Et chaque […]