Syrian law contains provisions that discriminate against women and facilitate violence against them. Under the law, some forms of violence against women can be carried out with near impunity.
For instance, men can escape punishment or receive reduced sentences if they kill a female member of the family with whom they are committing ‘adultery’ or other ‘vicious sexual relations’. Isn’t it fueling illegitimate relationships then?
The scale of violence against women in Syria remains poorly documented for a number of reasons including social restrictions, seclusion, bad education, poverty, etc.
However, some general findings postulated:
1. In 56% cases, women were punished for ‘disrespect’ and cursing.
2. 14% for neglecting their household duties.
3. Husbands beat their wives in 49% of such cases, used insults in 38%, andused silent treatment in 8.4%.
4. 67% of women had been punished in front of their families.
5. 52% were insulted.
6. 87% were battered.
We may also go to the extent of saying that the religion itself is conditioning obstacles regarding interactions between the genders.
True, Islam limits interaction between sexes and calls for modesty in dress and conduct but isn’t it carried to far? A woman in Islamic countries is not suppose to drive, cannot talk to man other than her husband, they have no voice of their own, just living a life of drudgery like that of a slave, moving in accordance with her ’shuahar’ as if they are no more like a puppet.
There have been serious flaws in the administration of justice in Syria, lack of legal and other safeguards to protect the rights of native women have made the men hawk upon them.
The need of the hour is to grant the UN bodies that are operating within the nation, greater attention in combating the problems that are specific to women rights. Only then, the respect and promotion of women’s human rights would become an irreversible reality, at the same level as men’s human rights.
