Refuge for Somali Women
Somalia is located on the border of Africa and the Indian Ocean; it does not have a definite government but is ruled primarily by the Islamist militant organization, al-Shabaab. Comprised of a former British protectorate and an Italian colony, Somalia was created in 1960 when the two territories merged. Since then its development has been slow. Women’s rights refer to the entitlements granted to women of all ages that provides for equal opportunities as men. In Somalia, the women do not have many rights, however. Somali culture is quite different from the culture of other more prevalent countries, like the United States. “Africa is one of the richest in culture and customs… [they] regard culture as essential to their lives and future development,”(Abdullah xi). Somali people are predominately Muslim and practice the Islamic religion. “The Somali practice of Islam is in substance the same as that of other Muslims around the world,” (Abdullah 56). Since the Somali people practice Islam, they follow the rules from the Qur’an. The Qur’an lists multiple laws that relate to women and their rights. Women are supposed to submit completely to the men in their lives and follow the rules. If they break a rule, even slightly, they are severely punished, usually beaten. According to Islamic laws, “men are superior to women…men are commanded to beat their disobedient wives…men can have sexual relations with wives and concubines…women must seek their husband’s permission before divorcing.” On the topic of abuse, the Qur’an states, “As for those whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to their beds apart (stop having sexual relations with them), and beat them,” (Islamic Laws for Women, web). In other words, it is the men’s decision as to whether or not the women disobeyed. Different men has different views so one Somali woman could be beat for not having dinner at a certain time, and a different Somali woman could be beat for committing...