STOP FGM NOW!

“FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CULTURE, TRADITION OR RELIGION. IT IS TORTURE AND A CRIME. HELP US TO PUT AN END TO THIS CRIME.”

Appell von Waris Dirie from STOP FGM NOW! on Vimeo.

UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993

 Article 3

Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.

These rights include, inter alia:

(a) The right to life;

(b) The right to equality;

(c) The right to liberty and security of person;

(d) The right to equal protection under the law;

(e) The right to be free from all forms of discrimination;

(f) The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;

(g) The right to just and favorable conditions of work;

(h) The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Source: http://www.un-documents.net/a48r104.htm

Domestic Violence and Abuse ... Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships

Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Emotional abuse is often minimized, yet it can leave deep and lasting scars.
Noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence and abuse is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following warning signs and descriptions of abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Understanding domestic violence and abuse

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to gain and maintain total control over you.” Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you in his grip. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around you.

Recognizing abuse is the first step to getting help

Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal abuse to violence. And while physical injury may be the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic abuse are also severe. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy your self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make you feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and your first step to breaking free is recognizing that your situation is abusive. Once you acknowledge the reality of the abusive situation, then you can get the help you need.

Signs of an abusive relationship

There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The most telling sign is fear of your partner. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around your partner—constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs that you may be in an abusive relationship include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.
To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship. 

Do you:

• feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
• avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?
• feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
• believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
• wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
• feel emotionally numb or helpless? 

Does your partner:

• humiliate or yell at you?
• criticize you and put you down?
• treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
• ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
• blame you for his own abusive behavior?
• see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?

Does your partner:

• have a bad and unpredictable temper?
• hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you? 
• threaten to take your children away or harm them?
• threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
• force you to have sex?
• destroy your belongings?

Does your partner:

• act excessively jealous and possessive?
• control where you go or what you do?
• keep you from seeing your friends or family?
• limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
• constantly check up on you?

 To be continued 

Source: HelpGuide.org - A trusted Non Profit Resource

Time ... Cairo and Berlin

When we got into the group that was supposed to talk about "time", It was thought things were going to be really funny. Specially that the three Egyptians participating in the summit were in that group, and naturally it was!

We were 4 Arabs from Lebanon and Egypt and 2 Germans.

First it was obvious to start with talking about how crazy Cairo's traffic is-which was our first debate for why bad we as Arabs are when it comes to time-. But when Annina started to tell us that an average trip in Berlin takes 45 min- which is not very far from the average here in Cairo,  it was obvious now that traffic is not to be basically blamed! :D

Funny thing is, though Chris and Annina didn't agree a lot about their perspectives about time and how Germans deal with it, it was still clear that regardless the reason, Germans are punctuate! :D

When we Arabs found out that traffic could not stand as a valid excuse, we tried blaming family and social obligations, plus the fact that it is more acceptable for Germans to live by themselves while we are tied. But it turned out that even though the four of us mentioned it- passionately- , none of us actually follows it even though all of those actually happen to come late! :D :D

So... as expected, it has nothing to do with how much you have to do or who you live with, the value of time seems to be a matter of "culture" and here in the Arab world, we tend to deal with time like it's a dear friend who will always understand!

Young Media Summit 2010

Good morning everyone,

Right now I'm in Mariot hotel, Cairo to participate in the " Young Media Summit 2010" on the invitation of DW-Akademie and Deutschland Zentrum Kairo. 

We are a group of six German and twelve Arab bloggers, of which Tarek Amr (@gr33ndata), Amira Taher (@AmiraTaher   ), and me are from Egypt.

The complete list of Arab bloggers will be given shortly.

Details are here. Stay with me here and on my twitter to be updated.

What is Domestic Violence Against Women?

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. 
 

Examples of abuse include:

• name-calling or putdowns
• keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
• withholding money
• stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
• actual or threatened physical harm
• sexual assault
• stalking
• intimidation

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.

The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs listed on the "Violence Wheel."

ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.

If you are being abused, REMEMBER

1. You are not alone
2. It is not your fault
3. Help is available (not here in Egypt yet :$)

source: here

What is Violence Against Women?

Violence Against Women is, as the United Nations defines it:

“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

Violence against women includes (but is not limited to):

1-    Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household,
dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence
related to exploitation.

2-    Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation
at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;

3-    Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.

Source: http://web.abo.fi/instut/kvinnis/naislinja/UN%27s_definition.htm

October is coming!

In 1995, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) convened several national domestic violence organizations - the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline and later the National Network to End Domestic Violence - to launch a new effort to support domestic violence programs' awareness and education efforts for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), observed annually in October

So, this means that October has to be a very active month!
Stay following me here, I’ll be posting info, articles, statistics, videos and so many other stuff related to domestic violence against women.
Please remember to share what you find useful cause we all know this is the only way to fight.

Let us all gather into one cause this month… “A safe home!”

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.



"Invictus" is a short poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for "unconquered". It was first published in 1875.

I told you before I'm purple person :)

Magician

Your spiritual gift based on the chakra charts is mental magic.
You have strong talents in the magickal arts.

In most individuals the Brow chakra is most active from their late 20s and onward. However these mental powers also peak for a short period during adolescence. Most of the time we lose those powers without constant development. Remember to meditate often to develop these special gifts.

Individuals who are Spiritual Magicians have the power to change the world.
You have been sent here with a unique purpose to develop and use these gifts.

Your Spiritual Strength Is Insight

You have the power to wield the elements - earth - water - fire - air - spirit - and to gain deep insights into others. You are able to use universal life-force energies to manifest change and transformation in the world and in other individuals. Magicians are in constant danger of illusions in earlier development. Be conscious of these dangers and keep a firm foot in the material world to avoid getting lost in a sea of delusions. Magicians have the most powerful chakra gift but also the greatest responsibilites that come with it.

You Need To Improve Your Communication Most

Your throat chakra is unbalanced according to the charts which has a large negative effect on overall aura balance. The throat chakra is the point of balance between the lower and higher chakras. This means that a balanced throat chakra is important not just for expression and communication but also for good balance in all of the other chakras. Singing and using mantras helps to rebalance the throat. However a chakra re-balancing session here or elsewhere is recommended to clear all energetic blockages existing in the throat area.

Take the Chakra Test!