I Am Nujood Age 10 And Divorced Essay

881 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The importance of children's rights

In the society, women can be prone to different kinds of violence. The book “I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced” is a true representative of this. Written from the first person, it is a real expression of the experiences of Nujood Ali and her suffering. This is a personal autobiography of the little Yemen girl who was married off when she was only 10 years of age. In Yemen, young girls are forcefully married off to men who are way ahead of them in terms of age. It might be that many of them do not come out to challenge the decisions that are imposed on them by their families. However, Nujood had the courage to come out and speak on behalf of other young girls like her and also women who are forced into suffering and oppression. Young girls should not be forced into marriage and it is …show more content…

As Nujood narrates, the man had forced sex with her on the very night that they got married. Following her marriage, Nujood was forced to drop out of school. Physical harassment is also presented in this book. Nujood’s husband beats her as the girl describes it in very painful ways “I lived in permanent fear of more slaps and blows. Occasionally he even used his fists” (93). This is something that even the mother-in-law does not reprimand. She encourages it and even tells her son “hit her even harder. She must listen to you-she is your wife” (93). However, being the brave girl that she was, she decided that she could not take it any more. “I’m a simple village girl who has always obeyed the orders of my father and brothers. Since forever, I have learned to say yes to everything. Today I have decided to say no” (194). These are the words of Nujood and she decided to sneak from home. She had heard that people could be granted divorces by court judges and was determined to get one. After sneaking from her home, Nujood went to the courthouse and requested to talk to a judge to whom she affirmed that she

Show More
Related

  • Jon D. Holtzman's Nuer Conflicts

    1457 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nuer men believe that women will not respect them if they do not get hit often and would lead to poor behavior (Holtzman: 2008, 89). Nuer men think it is their right to hit their wife if necessary. For example, failure to serve guests on time or not being able to perform the house tasks in a certain time frame (Holtzman: 2008, 90). Women participate in the violence by provoking the act. They often question the man’s ability and strength if they do not hit them, degrade them, and sometimes the women would also be violent (Holtzman: 2008, 90). Women usually do not wish to be beaten, but will strike against their husband. In America, domestic violence is an illegal act. Nuer women are should “dial 911” if they are experiencing any violence against their husband. Nuer men do not agree with the ability to call the police on them. They believe it is against their culture and should not use this as protection (Holtzman: 2008, 90-91). Nuer men feel that law enforcement are biased against women and domestic violence (Holtzman:2008, 91). In the Nuer culture, if violence arises then the women will often return home and Nuer men are supposed to go after her and guarantee a stop in the behavior (Holtzman: 2008, 92). If a women leaves the husband in Nuer culture, a man could have his bridewealth returned (Holtzman: 2008, 93-95). Many violent situations may lead to a divorce and would lead to the male having

    Read More

  • Arranged Marriages In The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

    1421 Words  | 3 Pages

    Some of these marriages are extremely dysfunctional while others seem to be practical. These marriages are considered different from forced marriages and are an acceptable type of marriage in Afghan society. Some arranged marriages lead to poor or horrific outcomes for the brides in order to separate from her spouse. Occasionally these marriages shift into being forced marriages. In the article “Afghan girls bound by family betrothals” the author states “In Kapisa province, just north of Kabul, an 18-year-old girl shot and killed herself because her family would not break off her three-year-engagement to a drug addict.” This exhibits how certain family’s decisions for their children are atrocious. In addition it shows how an arranged marriage turned into a forced marriage. At times young women may run away from as a threat tactic to their family reported by the article “Afghan girls bound by family betrothals.” A 17-year-old girl who ran away from her home for a few days resulted in her parents letting her marry the man that she loved rather than who they set her up with. This shows how some parents would be tolerant enough to let his own daughter marry the person she

    Read More

  • Theme Of Mother Inheritance By Joanita Male And Mother's Inheritance

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although “It’s a Night Job” by Joanita Male and “Mother’s Inheritance” by Fawziyya Abu-Khalid occur in different cultural contexts- Male’s writing in Africa and Abu-Khalid’s in the Middle East- both literary works regard the formative nature of mother-daughter relationships. In addition to this, they explore the dignity and attitudes of young women in societies where they are forced to relinquish personal autonomy in order to succeed or be safe from potential physical or mental harm.

    Read More

  • Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    Women were considered inferior to men and were not to challenge or question their authority. When Nwoye’s mother or Okonwo’s senior wife questioned how long it was Ikemefuna to stay with them, Okonwo was stunned at her questioning him and furiously responded, “ Do what you are told, woman,” “When did you become one of the ndichie of Umuofia?”(14). And so Nwoye’s mother took Ikemefuna to her hut and asked no more questions. In observance with the Ibo view of female nature, the clan allowed wife beating. The novel describes two instances when Okonwo beats his wife.

    Read More

  • Women's Rights Evolution in Afghanistan: A Historical Overview

    1230 Words  | 3 Pages

    Khaled Hosseini, an inspirational author, has experienced and wrote books based on the society and culture of Afghanistan. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, the main protagonist, Laila, is in the middle of a war-fighting country. At one point, her father says to her, “marriage can wait, education cannot” (Hosseini 103). Her father urges her to take the advantages of knowledge rather than jumping into marriage. Marriage is a life-long process that according to the Quran, bids a woman to follow her husband. All in all, it’s general knowledge that love, respect, and trust is what keeps the strong bond between man and wife. There have been too many times where they have been caged and looked down upon. Women deserve the same equality as men. It won’t happen immediately, but the change is happening, slowly. One way to gain that right, is to create an organization and promote the idea of women being able to get a job, education, and not being married at an early age in Afghanistan. The organization would be able to collect money for two buildings. One building will be for a school, so that women get the education they deserve. The other building opens up for opportunities for a job. Those jobs could range from sewing to cooking. Women are more than just a trophy to just sit there and act as though they do not have a voice. The challenge may be a struggle but not

    Read More

  • Analysis Of I Am Nujood, Age 10 And Divorced

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    The bravery Nujood demonstrated opened the doors for many other child brides. The issue of underage marriage had never gained as much exposure as it had after Nujood was publicly recognized as the youngest divorcee in the world. Yemen Times, along with other journalist wanted to share Nujood’s story. As uncomfortable as it was for Nujood to replay her occurrences for the journalist, she did it for a greater purpose. To help others in a situation like

    Read More

  • Oppression of Women in Iran

    1948 Words  | 4 Pages

    The mistreatment of women in Middle Eastern countries is an extremely disheartening and serious problem. According to the religion of Islam, "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other. As to women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish...

    Read More

  • Punishments Inflicted on Women in Afghanistan

    1186 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Every day I was abused by my husband and his family. Mentally and physically; Then one day it became unbearable, so I ran away." In 2010 a young Afghan woman had her nose and ears cut off. Aesha Mohammadzai first appeared on the cover of time magazine in 2010 and shared her story on how her husband and in-laws cut off her nose and ears as punishment for trying to run away. Three years later Mohammadzai began her reconstructive surgery and life with her new foster family and is studying English in school. Aesha Mohammadzai tells women who are being abused to stay strong and never lose hope (Phillip Caulfield.2013). This is just one of the many common punishments Afghan women receive. Mohammadzai is proof that still in today’s society women in Afghanistan are still suffering with extreme punishments. Throughout the years, women have been forced to live in fear because of the way they have been treated. The consequences of punishments are not balanced with the actions that are performed, and women fight to hold their own. Afghan women have struggled with extreme, cruel and violent punishments. Women’s punishments are the result of the loss of their basic human rights.

    Read More

  • Shelters for Abused and Homeless Women

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    What to do? The issue of abused and homeless women is one that has recently been brought to the forefront of social issues in Pakistan. Abuse, most often begins after marriage. According to local traditions, once a girl’s baraat (wedding procession) enters the husband’s house, only her janaza (funeral pyre) should leave. Loyalty and devotion to the husband and his family come above every thing else. When family support is pulled away, the girl is then at the mercy of her husband. This total control of the girl’s life sometimes leads to her death. Often times it leads to abuse. The girl cannot return to her father’s house for fear of dishonoring him and so continues to suffer. In some cases she may chose to run away therefore igniting her husband’s anger that then is left with no choice put to pursue and kill her to redeem his honor.

    Read More

  • Women of the Middle East

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Women of the Middle East have played substantial roles for their corresponding countries since the advent of colonialism in the region. Middle Eastern women have worked in all types of fields including medicine, education, agriculture, government, private sector, and even defense. They have kept roofs over their family’s heads while their husbands were away in wars, or even in foreign countries to work in jobs that they could not find in their own countries. The roles of women in the countries of Yemen and Oman are no exception, but while they still find ways to contribute to their country, they care constantly stereotyped, discriminated, and ridiculed by men who are known and unknown to them. This paper will discuss the individual contributions of the women living in Yemen and Oman, and will discuss in further state laws and cultural norms that are affecting the women living in these countries today.

    Read More

  • Arab Women

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Targeted violence, dismal healthcare and desperate poverty make Afghanistan the world’s most dangerous country in which to be born a woman” (Lisa Anderson). Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is both an epic and horrendous account of two young Afghan women, Mariam and Laila. Blinded by the atrocious tragedies practiced on women in Afghanistan, Nana instructs her daughter, Mariam, that there is “only one skill a woman like you and me needs in life… And it’s this: tahamul. Endure” (Hosseini 17). What’s more, the reader sympathizes with the characters and “marvel at how every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet… people find a way to survive, to go on” (350). Mariam and Laila bear excruciating circumstances and live in a country mangled by political oppression and war. For this reason, their lives are regulated and controlled, they don’t have the right to exercise freedoms, and they are abused on many levels. Hosseini exposes the mutilations imposed on women by men and the marginalized life they lead in Afghanistan. Although Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns is a fictional novel, his ability to illustrate and identify with the difficulties of Afghan women through their child marriages, lack of education and the Taliban laws is achingly accurate and unparalleled.

    Read More

  • Domestic Violence and Public Policy

    1226 Words  | 3 Pages

    Khan, Mehr. Domestic violence against women and girls. UNICEF: Innocenti Digest. No. 6. June 2000.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Hypocrisy In Woman At Point Zero

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    The oppression of women in the Middle East and North Africa was commonplace, with women often beaten and deprived of fundamental rights. Entrapped by social constraints, there was little hope for opposition, as the patriarchal perspectives of society were enforced by everyone, even women themselves. One of the most prevalent ways was through the use of hypocrisy and double standards to cast an illusion of justice and equality, when in reality, women were disadvantaged in nearly every aspect. The hypocrisy of society is demonstrated in Nawal El Saadawi’s novel Woman at Point Zero, where women such as Firdaus are dominated by double standards. She finds both initial hope and consequent

    Read More

  • Islamic Faith and Culture

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    In recent modern times, the Islamic faith and culture has been scarred by bad publicity and criticism worldwide concerning terrorism, fanaticism, and the treatment of women. All these issues have existed in most religions throughout time, but the treatment of women is different in which most other cultures and religions have minimized the issues and Islam, under its attempts to also end it, has failed to create a society in which the treatment of women is equal to that of men. The treatment of women, beginning from the time when they are born, to the time of their marriage, to the moment of their death, has not been equal to that of men despite the actions taken to end the injustice.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Children Not Brides

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Child marriage is a treacherous and threatening practice that can deprive young, promising, girls of future opportunities and could potentially be detrimental to their health. A child bride is defined as a girl under the age of 18 who is forced to be wed. Child marriage is a global problem that cuts across countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities. Child brides can be found in every region in the world, from the Middle East to Latin America, from South Asia to Europe. This policy should be enforced to be put to an end because it is a violation to girls’ rights as human beings. Girls who marry young have been proven to be involved in an abusive relationship with their husbands. Only a small number of countries have specifically criminalized the policy and in result the early marriages continue. Child marriages around the world should be abolished because the young women are susceptible to child mortality as well as sexual and domestic violence from their husbands because of their lack of influence they have in the marriage.

    Read More

More about I Am Nujood Age 10 And Divorced Essay

Open Document