Dua Khalil Aswad – Dead; But Not Forgotten

The Human Rights Watch(HRW) yesterday criticized the new law in Jordan which instead of acknowledging honour killing as a murder, condones it as a special case strengthening the perpetrators claim that their actions restore their family's respect in the (dysfunctional)community.

In the Middle East, society is very patriarchal and men dictate as to how it should be run. For women to thrive and build a sense of self, they must overcome obstacles that have been implemented by the current system. Positive reinforcement is given to obedience and submissiveness and women who do not conform to these traits, but rebel against them, threaten the system, hence receive a tough and negative response.

One established trend among many men in this region is the diabolic act of honour killing. While reading on it, I came across a gruesome video posting of the killing of an innocent, just 17 year old Iraqi girl called Dua Khalil Aswad in public (attached is her pic). Dua fell in love with a boy outside her religion and for this she was beaten to death cheerfully by men from her own community including her dad, brothers, relatives etc and buried along with a dead dog. I just cannot fathom the thinking of these people; killing one’s own daughter or sister in the most horrific way, because she was in love!

The key to prevent such inhuman practice is to educate people; so that they do not act like animals. Daddies/brothers should be taught to see their wives/sisters/daughters as strong, smart and beautiful, not just objects to be used; that men and women are equal but different; different physically, different in their emotional and personality composition. Those differences make it such a joy to be in a healthy relationship with a woman, be it your mother, sister or partner. Infact, lack of education and social empowerment in Middle East is leading to a host of other social issues like homosexuality, terrorism, unemployment etc.

In families, women are the anchor and hence the importance of empowering them to build healthier, peaceful and prosperous societies. So here is a reflection to all who has daughters; she is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of future.

Read more about her at;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoning_of_Du

See her being stoned to death;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Im9BdTYnH8

Education in the Middle East

There is no denying that lack of quality education is holding back this region. If one looks at some of the prosperous nations today; Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan etc; they are characterized by small land mass, no resources but well educated and hardworking people. Having an abundance of oil resource in the Gulf cooperation council countries (GCC), has truly slowed down the region’s development because of the collective thinking that money can save all problems. The decision makers in these countries should realize that people are the only true means to create wealth and education is the key to tap in to that wealth. Human asset is the only asset that appreciates over time

In sectors like oil and gas which GCC countries had a head start, they should have been world leaders by now; both in upstream and down stream technologies. However, due to lack of quality training and development of man power, even now local oil companies need assistance from multinational oil companies to perform basic oil and gas exploration and refining operations.

My work as a business consultant in the Middle East has brought me in to contact with a lot of corporate heads, which are largely locals. To be frank, most of them hold their titles because of their social status and not because of their level of education or technical competence. Some of them might have studied in western universities, but the western education has not developed any of their skills and as one local told me, they do it so their family can claim that their child is western educated. This is why in spite of massive oil wealth in the GCC region, there is hardly any local player with industry revolutionizing idea in global business.

Time is now right for GCC countries to invest in education. With oil prices on a lull, these countries need to look for alternate income. For cash rich, labor short (taking in to consideration of only nationals and no expatriates) countries like GCC, it needs to invest in sectors like IT, bio medical technology, agro technology etc, industries which are quality driven over quantity. Grants should be provided to companies willing to invest in superior education and with women being half the labor population, governments should actively promote education of women. Imagine how the economy in Saudi Arabia will benefit if all the eligible women there could work! The honchos in the Gulf countries should realize that education frees the mind from ignorance & bigotry and unleashes the creative contributions of every citizen, to improve their own lives and the wider community.