Don’t stay out too late. Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t have headphones in when you’re jogging. Watch your drink at all times. Don’t drink too much. Carry pepper spray or a pocket knife. Lock your car doors. Don’t get on elevators alone. Travel in groups. Share your location with a friend. Watch what you…
Tag violence against women
The Murder of Sabina Nessa Amplifies Calls to End Violence Against Women
When we think about meeting up with our friends, we think about the laughs we’ll have together, the food we’ll eat and the memories we’ll make. But for 28-year-old Sabina Nessa from London, she never got to the chance to see her friends. On September 17th, Sabina was brutally killed. During her five minute walk…
#JusticeforNoor: Violence Against Women Is a Global Issue
Many have marched over the last week holding signs and protesting the brutal murder of Noor Muqaddam, 27, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, who was known for her sweet and loving personality and kindness to people and animals. The police have charged Zahir Jaffer with the murder, a U.S. national, and son of…
Domestic Violence Advocate Ola Salem’s Father Charged With Her Murder
Content warning: This post discusses domestic violence, parent/child violence, femicide, and murder. If you or someone you know may be in an abusive relationship, ensure you’re in a safe place and call 1.800.799.7233 or chat with someone at the National Domestic Violence Hotline online. They are available 24/7, 365 to help. If you’re in immediate…
Here’s What You Should Really Know About the #ChallengeAccepted Hashtag on Instagram
If you use Instagram or even scrolled through your Instagram feed in the last 24 hours, you’ve probably seen black and white selfies of women captioned with the words “challenge accepted,” along with the hashtags #womenempowerment and #womensupportingwomen. As I stumbled upon these photos, it was difficult for me to understand what the “challenge” was…
We Need to Talk About the Illusion of Achieving Honor by Murdering Women
There’s a horrific injustice that exists for some women. It is an injustice that has become a reality to many: so-called “honor killings.” Recently, a father in Jordan was arrested for killing his daughter. After he murdered her, he sat beside her corpse, smoked a cigarette and sipping a cup of tea. He appeared to…
Here’s Why Rape Culture Is a Problem in Egypt
Content warning: This post discusses violence against women, to include rape culture, sexual assault, rape, and street harassment. Women across social media have been coming forward about their sexual assault cases and exposing their harassers, and Egyptian women decided to finally speak out as well. This year has been full of surprises and unexpected events….
Poem: Litany of Women They Have Killed
Content warning: This video features graphic depictions of domestic violence, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and bad language. In this video, inspired by slain social media star and activist Qandeel Baloch, Pakistani-American slam poet Emaan Majed tackles gender-based violence.
Why Isn’t the Senate Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act?
On June 18, 2017, 17-year old Nabra Hassanen was sexually assaulted, and brutally murdered while on her way back from the masjid during Ramadan. This horrific crime was classified as road rage. It was not classified as a hate crime because Islamophobia goes largely overlooked and ignored by the media, while they define, in the…
The Real Extent of Sexual Crimes Against Women and What We Can Do to Help
**Trigger Warning: Sexual assault** What’s going on these days with Brett Kavanaugh having been confirmed to the Supreme Court is horrifying, and it’s a perfect testament to how relevant the topic of this article is in today’s society. Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford – one of Kavanaugh’s now three accusers – gave a heart-wrenching account of what…
When Will We Live In A Society Where Women Aren’t Abused By Men In Positions Of Power?
Trigger warning: Abuse As we are all aware, it is 2018. You’d think by now, “Oh, men and women are fairly equal, a lot of problems resulting from misogyny have vanished, we’re all good.” WRONG. Women have come a long way, but this is not just about equality; it is about the dynamics of power…
An “Islamic” Scholar Wrongly Says Rape Is Permissible
Trigger Warning: Stories of kidnapping and sexual assault My Islam isn’t ISIS’ Islam, and I’m pretty sure yours isn’t, either. A 2016 video is recirculating of an “Islamic” scholar who recklessly claimed that rape with non-Muslims is Islamically appropriate, and it continues to shake the Islamic community who has quickly acted to denounce it. Despite…
Violence Against Muslim Women Is a Societal Problem, Not a Muslim One
Trigger warning: This video discusses violence against women. Muslim women are way more than just our scarves. We shouldn’t be reduced to solely speaking on Islamic issues surrounding hijab or oppression and a patriarchal society. We have much more to offer, and many more talents to put forth. We have different needs and wants…
Watch: This Organization Fights Forced Marriages and Honor Violence
Jasvinder Sanghera walks us through her first-hand account, and the experience of many women, as she discusses the honour-based system in Asian cultures. She cites her own experiences, as well as those of her sister, and also Shafilia Ahmed’s tragic case, in which British police and social services failed Ms. Ahmed numerous times, which ended…