Yemeni women burn veils to protest regime (Pic. Heavy)

[Turborama]

Source: CNN International

From Mohammed Jamjoom and Hakim Almasmari, CNN
October 26, 2011 -- Updated 16:33 GMT (00:33 HKT)

Yemeni women defiantly burned their traditional veils Wednesday in protest of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's brutal crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.

Thousands of women gathered in the capital, Sanaa, said witnesses. They carried banners that read: "Saleh the butcher is killing women and is proud of it" and "Women have no value in the eyes in Ali Saleh."

They collected their veils and scarves in a huge pile and set it ablaze -- an act that is highly symbolic in the conservative Islamic nation, where women use their veils to cover their faces and bodies. It's the first time in the nine months of Yemen's uprising that such an event has occurred.

Inspired by Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman's Nobel Peace Prize this month, more and more Yemeni women have taken to the streets and escalated their campaign for help from the international community.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/26/world/meast/yemen-protests/

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ETA CNN have now embedded a video at the top of the story.

[Arctic Dave]

1. If only we could get them to do it in the US.

Then maybe our government would give a rats butt about us.

[virgogal]

2. Huh? I have never seen a face veil in the US. They can't be too common

so what is there to burn?

[Arctic Dave]

4. You missed my point.

Some women burning a piece clothing in a foreign country gets ink the day of while anything done in the US tepid respone until something "bad" happens.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended for Occupy Yemen.

Thanks for the thread, Turborama.

[Zorra]

5. I'll second that and add some info on the plight of women in Yemen

Yemen's constitution, as amended, stipulates that Islamic law (sharia) is the source of all legislation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_system_of_Yemen

GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN Yemen

Family Code:

Women in Yemen have only a moderate degree of legal protection in regard to family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance, all of which are governed by the 1992 Personal Status Law. This law does not establish any legal minimum age of marriage. Although the average marriage age of both men and women has increased in the Arab world, early marriage is still prevalent in Yemen. A 2004 United Nations report estimated that 27 per cent of Yemeni girls between 15 and 19 years of age were married, divorced or widowed. Women cannot conclude their own marriage contracts; rather the agreement is made between the woman’s guardian (always a male) and the groom.

Physical Integrity:

Yemen provides a relatively low degree of protection for women’s physical integrity. Violence against women in general is quite common. There are no laws against domestic violence and the law does not recognise the concept of spousal rape. Similarly, the country has yet to establish any laws against sexual harassment in the workplace. Women run the risk of being physically or verbally abused in the streets if they are considered to behave or dress inappropriately. So-called honour crimes do occur in Yemen: some critics argue that the law justifies – at least to some extent – these crimes by imposing lighter penalties for crimes committed in rage following an unlawful act by the victim.

Civil Liberties:

Women in Yemen have a very low level of civil liberty. Their freedom of movement is subject to numerous limitations. They generally need to ask for their husband’s (or guardian’s) permission to leave the family home or to apply for a passport. Once a passport is obtained, women are legally entitled to travel independently without permission. In reality, this right is often violated. Women are legally obliged to live with their husbands, who make the decision about where the family will reside. Although women have the right to pursue education and seek employment, some guardians also restrict these activities.

Social and religious norms limit Yemeni women’s freedom of dress. Although there is no legal requirement to wear a veil, social and religious norms prevail and most women cover their heads, faces and bodies. Women who choose to appear unveiled in public run the risk of being harassed

http://genderindex.org/country/yemen

Go Occupy Yemen!!!

[femrap]

6. I'm very encouraged to see

the women of Yemen standing up to the gov't and tribal men. If the gov't came after me and the children, I'd find a way to fight back...depending on the tribal males seems to be a big mistake.

[Taverner]

7. Awesome

[No Elephants]

8. Incredibly courageous. I am in awe.