Chen 1 Tiffany Chen Ms.

Gardner English 10 Hon Period 1 30 October, 2013 End of Prejudice Domestic violence, deprivation of legal and personal rights, subordinate power to men; these are all tyrannical issues which plague the women in Middle Eastern societies. Patriarchy has always been an important and controversial topic, and is no where more prominent than in the Middle East, where women lack the power to express and speak out. Throughout history, the region has become renowned for its technological advancements yet these same countries which contributed significantly to the medical, mathematical, astronomical, and other fields of studies have shown little change towards their extreme patriarchal society. It is not that Middle Eastern women do not want to speak out against this tyranny, it is that this tyranny does not want Middle Eastern women to speak out. In a society where women are neglected as equal beings, in a society where men are seen as the predominant leaders, in a society where simply being a woman is looked down upon, the perspective of patriarchal culture hardly seems changeable. Laws in countries such as Saudi Arabia who ban women from driving and prevent them from travelling abroad without written permission of their closest male relative is clear evidence that the political system heightens the patriarchy to a shocking degree. If even political power is biased to men, how are disregarded women supposed to gain the courage to fight against this inequality? Beaten, bruised, and broken, women in the Middle East suffer from the desolate values of which they are associated with. Severe cases of sexual harassment and domestic violence, many which are not reported, are heard of being extremely frequent in these countries. For justice and freedom from this tyranny, we need to abolish this unjust mentality so women do not have to suffer in silence, but can strike out against prejudice. Today there will be change. It is not acceptable that the tyranny which has overtaken womens lives for ages still governs them today. The people in every corner of the globe cannot neglect the tyranny of inequality which suffocates all women. As long as we continue to dive deeper into the waters of ignorance, society will only continue to deteriorate. We must move from this

Chen 2 state of indifference. I ask you, political leaders of these countries, to step forward to end this tyranny which has dominated our ancestors and their way of living for thousands of years. Break the confinements of a separated liberty which shall constrain societies to come if we do not take action today! Begin anew, establish a society where Middle Eastern women everywhere can be educated, can be respected, can be appreciated! They should not be deprived of rights, but given the most honorable rights. If we cease to fulfill these crucial human values, we shall never be able to step forward towards liberation but instead be walking away from it. Raise awareness of this problem. Educate the youth on this tyranny. Most importantly, gather the courage to take action and speak out. We cower in fear because we dread the consequential effects of a injudicious society and do not want to face the guilt following the realization that we have purposely enslaved our conscience to oppressive ignorance for so long. Let us conquer this fear and progress from it. Though this will not be an easy nor simple task, it is a step towards cultural and social advancement, one that will change the course of all history and prove that we as human beings can live together with unity and justice in an environment of peace. Though these statements are open to controversy and critique, the right to live in equality should be bestowed on all humans, from when they are born to the day they die. Step by step, I believe that if all men and women reflect on this issue and strip away all ignorance, patriarchy can be confronted and defeated. We must learn from history but we cannot and should not acknowledge the tyranny which has taken place in it. And as sixteen year old education activist, Malala Yousafzai, a survivor of being shot by the Taliban and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize said, Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrows reality. Word Count: 705