A spike in attacks against women
One piece of good news from Algeria, although it’s not really good news so much as finally doing what should have been done long ago.
A new Algerian law came into effect this week punishing violence against women and sexual harassment, in a victory for feminist groups that had fought for years for the legislation.
The law, effective from Monday, had been blocked by the Senate for eight months amid resistance from conservative Muslims who view it as interference in family affairs.
And if a man wants to beat up his wife or daughter, or a brother wants to beat up his sister, how dare the state interfere? She’s their property, and she’s a whore who will soil their honor if they don’t beat the shit out of her whenever the mood strikes them.
It’s the fruit of a long struggle by feminist organizations in the North African country that have been fighting against a spike in attacks against women in recent years.
Anything to do with the spike in Islamism there also in recent years? No no, I’m sure that’s just a coincidence. What connection could there possibly be?
Supposedly little boys have been known to beat their mothers for withholding candy.
John, I’ve seen little boys do that here! I’ve intervened to stop it because it’s unacceptable. It sets a pattern of belief in those little minds that violence is ok. Specifically, that violence against women is ok, and that it has no consequences. When I’ve explained that to people who objected they have nothing to say. Nothing, but a look of shame (and more than once gratitude on the women’s face).