Women's Rights

United States: For the first time in the country's history a woman is running for president and may become its first female leader.

Saudi Arabia: For the first time in the country's history women may be able to drive themselves to work without a mandated male escort.

These are two very dichotomous examples of the evolution of women's rights, as the everyday lives of women in the world vary greatly by country. Here in the U.S. it seems as though strides are being taken to advance women's rights, but the fact remains that in this country women are still paid less than men.

Albeit, U.S, women are awarded simple freedoms many women around the world lack. Imagine not being able to drive to work to feed your family or to be stoned to death because your eyes were perceived as looking at another man.

Sexual abuse against women is often used as a tool of war and control in other countries. Many times when a woman is sexually abused there are no laws to protect her.

For example in Palestine, a wife or daughter who is sexually assaulted by a loved one must have a male relative escort her to the police department and vouch that she was raped. Many times the abuser is a woman's only escort and therefore the law can no longer protect her.

Blogs across the world are affording woman new freedoms, allowing them to speak out about injustices in their countries. Here are a few examples of how women in the world are finally able to speak their minds without persecution.

Iranian Women Blog

Chinese Woman Journalist

Saudi Female Blogger

Set Back for All Journalists in the Mideast