Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions

In the declaration of sentiments and resolutions, Elizabeth Cady Stanton states that "The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation on the part of men toward women, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her" (205). Gender inequality is a well known issue that has existed in all countries around the world. For instance, in the past, women did not have the right to seek education and occupation, to take part in public and economic events, or to own property. Today, the oppression of women in the Middle East still exists because of three major issues.

First, men oppress women because of their beliefs and needs. For example, many men do not allow women to seek an education because they believe that education is not necessary since women's duty is housekeeping. In the book "Women in the Middle East," the authors Ramsay M. Harik and Elsa Martson state how females are convinced to withhold education and forced to perform household tasks as of their only responsibilities. "The girl will spend her life cooking and having babies, why does she need to read or write? This was a common attitude in much of the Middle East until the last fifty years or so" (24). One tool that men use to keep women under oppression is preventing women from obtaining education because education helps people to improve the way they reason, communicate, handle the problems, and overcome the odds. For example, an educated woman can convince to her husband to the idea that housekeeping and working can be performed at the same time. She can argue with her husband by proving him that she can cook before she goes to work, or she can work while her kids are at school. However, men do not want women to see...

... middle of paper ...

... stand up for their rights because there is no one to support them. Furthermore, police officers are being unresponsive when women are being a victim of rape. Therefore, laws oppress women by not punishing men when they commit rape or any other violent crime toward women.

In summary, oppression of women is a serious issue because many women are not treated as men and withheld from every opportunity. However, because of these outcomes, women are prevented from achieving higher goals, such as getting an education, pursuing a career, and having word of their own. Therefore, women have to stand up for their rights and fight back to show men that women are not only housekeepers, but they are equal and smart as men are. Women will continue to waste their talents if they get used to the idea that they have to achieve their feminine roles because of oppression of man.