In this blog, I will be attempting to cover a story of the daily life of women from different countries across the world. My goal is to find a story from six of the seven continents. Each story will detail on the struggles different women must face every day, issues like poverty, depression, inequality, religious freedom, disease, drugs and alcohol, war, terrorism, domestic violence, and political unrest. I will be emphasizing the strength of all women across the globe to overcome such obstacles, women who refuse to admit defeat. The idea is not to separate women into catergories by their different ways of life, but to demonstrate that we really aren’t all that different. In the end, every woman only wants what is best for herself and for her family. Knowing this, it is easy to see how we are all connected and that we must work together to support one another. By showing the different issues women must face on an everyday basis, I hope to bring out the humanity and empathy in all of us. Perhaps then we will be able to see beyond the issues of black vs white, Christian vs Muslim, and wealthy vs poor, and realize we’re all human beings just trying to do our best.

Véronique’s Story: Battling Flooding and Aids in Burundi, Africa

http://www.wfp.org/english/?ModuleID=137&Key=2389

Véronique Begimana is from Burundi. She has AIDS, and her husband had AIDS away but passed away because of the disease. She has six children whom she lives with in the metal house her husband made. Her area was hit extremeley hard by the rain and flooding last year, which destroyed the farms that she used to tend. Now food is scarce, and she and her children suffer from malnutrician and diarrhea. Véronique meets with other women every day to discuss their situations and receive report. She is also a member of an AIDS association which encourages people to make the most of their situations and look forward to the future. She dreams of having another life where she could feed and dress her children properly

Also, this site contains the stories of three other women in Africa. I would strongly encourage you to read them all. They are extremely touching and will really put your life in perspective.

Anita’s Story: An Indian Woman Raised in the United States Seeks a Husband

http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/culture/features/11621/

This is a fascinating article written by an Indian woman named Anita whose parents immigrated to the United States when she was only an infant. Anita is thirty and unmarried, an unimaginable lifestyle to her parents, causing her father to set up profiles for her on multiple Indian dating websites. She compares the different viewpoints on marriage and dating of Indians and Americans, including both the pros and cons. Indians always date with the intent of marriage in mind, causing them to ask questions like, “what are you looking for in a husband?” on the first date. Anita also jokes you will never hear an Indian man tell you the wishy-washy statement that he’s just not ready to be committed right now. She describes many of her dates with these men her father found online for her, many of which are quite amusing. One date informed her that he will always put his work before his family. Another claimed the only two qualities that he wants in a wife are that she’s a vegetarian and doesn’t smoke. This really is an amazing article to see how American and Indian values have collided and clashed in Anita’s life, causing her to still wonder whether or not arranged marriages are all that bad.

Salwa’s Story: A Female Taxi-driver Achieving Job Equality in Tunisia, Africa:

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL1680401220071022?pageNumber=1

Salwa Ayari is a woman from Tunisia, an predominantly Arabic country on the coast of northern Africa between Algeria and Libya. She is one 37 female taxi drivers Tunisia where taxi driving is considered a male-dominated profression. When her husband died six years ago, leaving Salwa behind with her two children, the situation seemed hopeless. She had no training in any field and thus no way of making an income. Her brother, however, suggested she follow him into the taxi business. Salwa decided to give it a try, despite the beliefs of many that taxi driving was too difficult of work for a woman. She points out that taxi driving easier than house cleaning. Now Salwa is supporting her family and serving as a role model for her children. She is now a part of the 25% female workforce population in Tunisia, which is a huge step for an Arabic country where female employment is generally discouraged.

Malalai’s Story: A Woman Brave Enough to Speak Out Against the Atrocities in Afghanistan

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/24/1431217

Malalai Joya: The BBC declared Malalai Joya to be the bravest woman in Afghanistan. She has spoken out against the Afghan government and the United States role in establishing democracy. She was suspended for the rest of her term in parliament for speaking out and has experienced several assassination attempts and acts of violence against her for her beliefs. Malalai states that her goal is to tell the truth, to tell the world what life is really like in Afghanistan, and this is why they want to kill her. She fled to the United States in July to avoid the many threats against her life and forced to leave her husband and children behind. She then gave the above interview. Malalai claims that although the United States overthrew the Taliban, they support the new Afghanistan government which is run by men committing acts even worse than the Taliban. She wants true democracy and freedom for the people of Afghanistan, expecially the women who are continually denied equal rights. Malalai must travel completely covered in a burka to avoid recognition by her many enemies. In Afghanistan, says Malalai, everyday is like September 11th. She says before democracy can work in Afghanistan, security must be established. Democracy cannot work if the people don’t even safe to leave their homes. When her country is secure and her people call to her, she will gladly run for president. Malalai is now back in Afghanistan continuing her efforts.

Jennifer’s Story: The Morning Routine of a Woman Suffering from Domestic Violence in the United States

http://www.thehollywoodliberal.com/a-day-in-the-life-by-jennifer-ziemann/

Jennifer Lynne Ziemann is a victim of domestic violence in the United States. Her blog entry desribes her daily routine while in an abusive relationship with a drug addict. Every morning, she needed to ask permission to take a shower, then rush to ensure his breakfast was made just right before he came downstairs in the morning. She also became an expert at disguising her bruises from his beatings. One morning, however, Jennifer accidentally fell asleep and did not make his breakfast as usually and was brutally beaten. This finally motivated Jennifer to call the police and leave her abusive relationship, for her sake and for her children’s sake, but she eventually fell into another violent relationship with a different man, this time an alcoholic. Today, she has finally managed to free herself from all abusive relationships and has stopped living in denial. With the help of counseling and group funded by Safe Harbor, she has finally learned to “never be silent again.”

Sahar Issa’s Story: The Daily Lives of Female Reporters in Iraq

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/245301/The_Daily_Lives_Of_Female_Iraqi_Reporters

To be a woman reporter in Iraq is to face daily threats against yourself and your family. Six Iraqi women received an award for journalism, but only one, Sahar Issa, came to the ceremony to receive the reward on behalf of all six for security reasons. All six of these women have faced death threats from terrorists upon themselves and their families. One of the reward winner’s husband, five-year-old son, and mother-in-law were all shot. Sahar herself lost her son when he was shot while driving his moped. She has lost her brother and her nephew as well. Sahar describes her every day life as living in constant fear for her loved ones. She wakes up every morning uncertain whether she or her family will survive the day. They must live without electricity for all but two hours of the day and have little access to water. When interviewed by CNN, Sahar said, “Every day could be my last. I try not to dwell on it. Living in fear has become quite commonplace in Iraq and not just for journalists. We go out to visit relatives, to school or the store, not knowing whether we’ll come back. I’ve been in situations on the way to work where I thought I had said my last prayer.” When asked why she takes the risk, she explained that American’s do not understand Iraqi society. She must speak out and stand up for what is right if there is to be any hope for change. She wants to show that Iraqis are human beings.

I find the acts of these terrorists threatening these brave women and their families just sickening. It is all just senseless violence that achieves nothing but more hate and fear. I wish we all had a tiny fraction of the bravery of these women. Perhaps maybe then the problems of this world would finally be resolved.