Nobel Peace Prize 2023

A young woman, 22 years old, was dragged off the street by the Iranian so calle "Morality police" for nhaving part of her hair exposed by her head coveering. She was murdered in prison and sparked a human rights revolt in Iran which is still going on despite 300 protesters being jailed and killed. Thousands have been arrested. Iranian women live in a social prison as do so many women in the East. Women and girls in Afghanistn cannot receive education cannot hold jobs, cannot walk outside uness covered in every way but their eyes which are bhin a kind of fabric grate in the head cover. They have no protection from abuse, domestic violence, and live in a culture of oppression and subjugation. Many women in parts of the world have not risen far above this level of enslavement. Only reenly, women in Saudi Arabia won the right to drive a car.

The punishment for trying to stand up for their rights is harsh in these parts of the world and include beatings, lashings, imprisoment and murder. Rape is an ongoing form of intimidation and terror as is seen even today for example, in India. Just 7 years ago, a young physical-therapy student, Nirhbaya was attacked and gang raped on a public bus. She was known for her love of education and her kindness and her wish to devote her life to helping others. She died of the physical abuse she suffered. Recent crime statistics in Dehli show that there are still 93 cases of rape a day.

Needless to say, the Middle East and Arabic countries have the worst record on human rights in regard to women.

The Iranian activist, Mohammadi was one of 351 candidates for this year’s award – the second-highest number in the history of the Nobels. She became the 19th woman to win the award in more than 120 years of the prize.

Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyers who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, commended the committee’s decision to honor Mohammadi.

“We live in a very interconnected world. Right now, people in Iran are fighting for freedom. Our future depends on their success,”

Although in Western Nations things are indeed infinitely better for women, the battle for our rights has taken a turn recently in the United States in the increasing bans against a woman's right to make medicat decisions in her own reproductive life. The right wing of the Republican party has gone so far as to block military promotions and live our defenses hampered in their war to force the military to adopt a no support of reproductive choice for female soldiers. Reproductive choice is one of the basic pillars of a woman's independence and ability to protect and support herself. We, in America, must work harder to protect the rights our ancestors have sacrificed and struggled toprovide for us or we, too, can sink back into the segregation and discrimination that marked our past.

Hail to the mighty, the brave, the heroes who rise above fear and fight for the rights of women all over the world!

Happy Trails from Jo Ann - a woman, a teacher, artist, mother, and a long time supporter of equality for all!