Ali+and+Camille

**Abstract: ** This article tells the story about a woman by the name of Yanar Mohammed who fights for a very serious issue that has developed over time in Iraq. Yanar lives in Toronto, Canada, however, leaves her home in order to help with her organization for Women’s Freedom in Iraq. She founded this organization in 2003 and her main goal is to help prevent the killing of women as she ushers them out of Iraq in order for them to receive freedom. The article talks about the freedom women used to have as they were declared equal under there right of law. Previously women had the ability to take part in running for office as well as voting. However, over the past couple of years large numbers of women have been raped, kidnapped, and murdered. The article states that this is due to Honor Killings, which are perceived dishonors to the woman’s family, however, current laws in Iraq do not punish men who take part in Honor killings. Yanar continues to fight for women in Iraq as this issue continues to grow, she plans to create a youth movement in order to change the rights for women all over the world.
 * Fighting for Women's Rights in Iraq**

I thought this article was really interesting because of the efforts Yanar has put in in order to help women she may not even know personally. I think it is really inspiring to see that her organization continues to help women in Iraq who are dealing with equality issues like those stated in the article. However, I thought it was extremely shocking that women are being killed for innocent things everyday. As a female living in the USA we have it easy, equality is basically handed to us the minute we are born. I don’t think I could ever imagine not having the freedom as a female, like I do living in America. Before reading this article I knew there strict laws for women in other countries, however, I had no idea the consequences were so severe for some of them. Honor Killings is a whole separate issue involving the rights for women in Iraq, and it needs to be stopped immediately.Yanar’s organization is truly inspiring because she has already helped a number of women in Iraq by providing them with freedom and a right to be equal with others. However, I think her efforts need to be supported more in order for Honor Killings to be terminated and so the rights for women in Iraq can prevail. ** Camille: ** This article was interesting, although it is also regarding a topic that most of us are familiar with if you keep up with world events. Many of us know about the horrible stories of women being tortured by men without any consequence for the men involved. Yanar also touches on these injustices when talking about the honor killings. This idea of honor killings though is always shocking to me because I'm blessed enough to live in a country where that would never, in a million years, be alright. I commend what Yanar is doing in Iraq in order to help out women who have been living in fear in their own homes for much too long. It is sad that the government doesn't help or support their organization more. In the world we live in today, everything is seen by everyone, and yet countries are still getting away with letting such atrocities happen. These articles make me wonder if we will able to ever able to get rid of such traditions that have been ingrained in places like Iraq for so long. It takes a brave woman to take on such a difficult issue, and I hope that the movement can continue and help more women and even spread to other countries in need of this sort of help. ** Questions: ** 1. Do you think that a country has a right to let such traditions like honor killings continue, or should a country have to answer to the modern world's views on Human Rights?
 * Ali: **

2. Do other countries have the right to interfere with the way another country is run? Where do we draw the line?

3. How can we eliminate traditions without ruining the entire foundation of a culture?

4. The article mentioned that violence against women, including honor killings, has been on the rise, why or what do you think is causing this escalation?

5. What are your views on honor killings? Why do you think they exist?

6. How can the government stop honor killings without interfering with one's religious rights and freedoms?

7. What do you think the future looks like for Yanar's organization? Do you think it will spread and that it will work, or do you think the future is bleak for such an organization?