Analysis Of Tim O Brien s The Things They Carried

There were many things the soldiers carried with them during the Vietnam War. They carried guns and ammo, rations and canteens, and things necessary for survival. The soldiers also carried letters, photographs and land of Vietnam itself. Tim O’Brien tells of this in The Things They Carried, a book detailing the lives of the soldiers in Vietnam through the things the men carried with them. Not everything the men carried was physical, however. The soldiers carried ghosts, memories, and burdens. Everyone carried something that shaped who they were. Above all else, however, all of the soldiers carried the themes of love and war, fact and fiction, and individuals versus the collective. When thinking of war, love isn’t often the first word one†¦show more content†¦In regards to Cross after the death of Lavender, it is stated, â€Å"He felt shame. He hated himself. He had loved Martha more than his men, and as a consequence, Lavender was now dead†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Oâ₠¬â„¢Brien 16). This shows the problems the men faced when trying to balance love and war. Another example of the divisive coexistence of love and war can be seen in the story of Mark Fossie and his girlfriend Mary Anne, who came to Vietnam to be with him. When Mary Anne arrived in Vietnam, she was young and innocent. She quickly took a fascination with the war, however, and joined in the fighting. This vastly changed her as a person, much to the dismay of Mark. It is stated in the book, â€Å"’The girl joined the zoo. One more animal-end of story.’† (O’Brien 107) This is capitalized upon when Mary Anne came back from a night of patrol with a necklace of human tongues around her neck. Though Mark and Mary Anne were set to be married at one point, Mary Anne eventually disappeared into the night becoming more of a legend than anyone’s fiancà ©e with war winning out over love once again. The war also blurred the lines between fact and fiction for the soldiers. One such example can be seen in the actions of the men. While they woke up every day terrified of meeting their demise, they carried themselves with dignity and acted as if nothing bothered them, not because they were truly fearless, but rather

Strength of Mice and Men Free Essays

In this story, although some people have great strengths, they may have greater weaknesses, and sometimes the strong don’t always survive. Strength in something can greatly benefit a person. For example: 1. We will write a custom essay sample on Strength of Mice and Men or any similar topic only for you Order Now Lennie is physically strong and large. He is able to work very hard because of his strength, and he uses this to his advantage. Slim said, â€Å" By the way, what did you said about Lennie was absolutely right. Perhaps he isn’t intelligent, but I’ve never seen such a good worker as him. He worked much harder than the other men this afternoon, loading barley on to the waggon. Nobody can work as fast as him† ( it’s in chapter 6). Lennie also uses his strength to his advantage when he fights Curley. With his immense power he was able to crush Curley’s hand. 2. George’s intelligence. George is a very quick thinker. He is there to get Lennie out of trouble when he causes it. An example would be what happened in Weed. Lennie felt a girl’s dress and didn’t let go, so she accused him of raping her, and sent men to lynch him. George, thinking quickly, told Lennie to hide in a marsh so that the men wouldn’t find and kill him. 3. Curley, as a symbol of authority on the ranch and a champion boxer, makes this clear immediately by using his brutish strength and violent temper to intimidate the men and his wife. 4. Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife is beautiful. Beautifulness is the strength in herself to flirts with all the men she met especially all the men in the ranch. 5. Slim. Slim is the senior worker in ranch. So everyone respected him and his opinions. For example when Slim said â€Å" Carlson’s right. Your dog’s no good to himself. I’d be glad if someone shot me when I was so old that I could hardly move† . this ipinion makes Candy felt helpless and then he mau accept his dog will be shoted by the Carlson. (it’s in chapter 7) 6. Carson. He has the strength to shoted the Candy’s dog because he has a gun and Slim suporrted him. ( it’s in chapter 7) How to cite Strength of Mice and Men, Papers

Should men and women compete in sport equally free essay sample

â€Å"Absolutely we could beat them, why not?† said Hope Powell, when somebody asked her whether the England women’s football team, which she manages, could beat Roy Hodgson’s team. â€Å"‘I think physically the guys are obviously a lot stronger than the women, but with technical ability I think we’re as good as the men.† And this question about the equality of men and women in sport is still very interesting. Could women compete equally with men, or are they destined to compete against each other in separate events? First of all, it is certainly true that women have less physical strength than men and that a mutual competition would lead to only very few women having a chance to win in disciplines like Weightlifting or Athletics. Moreover, in many disciplines physique is not the key factor for success, for example in Bowling or Darts. On average, women perform worse than men even in those disciplines. We will write a custom essay sample on Should men and women compete in sport equally? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, this might be mostly due to different factors like less women take up these sports and being less promoted. Secondly, it is necessary to mention that most of the activities that are today called sports were originally adapted in mainly for males and therefore, these activities included some things that males were good at, things requiring strength, muscle mass and etc. That is why it depends on the sport. In physical contact sports such as rugby or boxing, men are more likely to be better simply because they are probably better built for such sports. So, the reason men and women compete separately is because men and women are built differently. In non-contact sports, there is no reason for men and women not to be able to compete together, but when it comes to hard physical contact, men and women should compete separately. Women are tend to be weaker/smaller than men. It wouldnt be a good idea to put a 100 kg guy against some girl who would be much smaller. It doesn’t means that women dont have talent, but they should do sport on a different level. In conclusion, it would be good to add that women should be allowed to be in mens teams and if they are on the same level as men then they should compete together, if not they should be on their own gender team.

Women Development Policy 2011 Essay Example

Women Development Policy 2011 Essay 1. Introduction Half of the populations of our country are women. So women development is the precondition of national development. There should have equal opportunity and equal rights for women to ensure national development. In our constitution through several articles the equal rights and opportunity of both men and women have been established. It is a harsh reality that it needed 40 long years after its independence to come up with a policy guideline to ensure the rights of its women. The women development policy has created a great scope for the advancement of women empowerment. The national women development policy has ensured women’s rights in formulation and implementation of economic policies. 2. Background The National Women Development Policy (NWDP) was first formulated in 1997 by the then Awami League government. But it was not possible for the then government to implement the policy. The Awami league government has also taken two years to turn their words into action, as reinstating the 1997 women policy was one of the electoral manifesto of the current government. In 2004, the then BNP Jammaat led government approved another women development policy deleting or replacing phrases like ‘equal right’, ‘equal and full participation’, â€Å"right to land†, â€Å"inheritance† and ‘property’, with ‘constitutional right’, ‘preference’ and ‘greater participation’. In 2008, the then caretaker government announced the women development policy legalizing women’s equal rights, including property rights, which were opposed by a section of Islamic clerics. The present policy is the revival of 1997 women development policy, to the fulfillment of an election pledge by Awami League. 3. Development planning and women We will write a custom essay sample on Women Development Policy 2011 specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Women Development Policy 2011 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Women Development Policy 2011 specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the first five year (1973-1978) program had been taken to rehabilitate the women. For the first time emphasis was given on women development. The issues on which importance were given includes women education, health and family planning, social welfare development women empowerment. Different programs were taken on the basis of foreign fund. 1972 the then government established women rehabilitation board for women development. In the second five year plan (1978-1980) several programs were taken to empower women and to increase their capability. Same programs had been taken in the third five year plan (1985-1990). In the forth five year plan (1990-1995) women are considered as a part of socio-economic development several programs has been taken to introduce them in the main development activity. Followings issues are given much importance for women development: * Education * Health * Ensure women participation in agriculture trade and commerce * Eliminate poverty * Provide legal assistance to women etc. In the fifth five year plan much importance has given on those issues. Government has ratified CEDAW charter, Beijing Platform for Action and government has also promised to implement national plan for women development. . World perspective and Bangladesh Bangladesh actively participated in the first world women conference, Mexico in 1975. So women development is considered as an international issue. The United National (UN) declared the year 1975 as the ‘women year’, for the achievement of socio-economic, political development and empowerment of women. The second women conference was held Copenhagen in 1980. The conference indentified three broad goals such as education, health and employment. The third world women conference was held in Kenya, 1985. The common wealth formulated ‘Gender and Development’ program in 1995. Bangladesh has ratified the ‘Beijing Declaration’. It was also promised to implement the development planning for women development. 5. Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women To eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in socio-economic sphere of life the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was formulated in UN in December 1979 and it was activated in September, 3, 1981. In 1984 Bangladesh ratified this CEDAW charter through reserving the four articles 2, 13 (a), 16 (a) and (f). Bangladesh has to submit report to UN every four years. The last sixth and seventh periodic report was placed to UN in 2009 and it was presented in CEDAW committee in 25th January, 2011. 6. Human rights of women and constitution The constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh was introduced in 1972. According to article 28 (1), ‘The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. ’ In the article 28 (2), â€Å"Women shall have equal rights with men in all shares of the state and of public life. In the article 29 (1) it has said that, ‘there shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service of the republic. ’ According to article: 65 (3) of our constitution, â€Å"there shall be reserved forty-five seats exclusively for women members† and in the article 9, women participation has been ensured in the local government institutio ns. 7. Present condition of women Women have to equally participate in education, training, science and technology to ensure their economic empowerment. Women have remarkable achievements during the last 100 years. They are playing significant role in medical, training, administration, politics and decision making process. Their participation in different challenging professions such as- doctor, engineer, scientist, police, army, navy are increasing day by day. So to make this development process more strong we have to ensure equal participation and opportunity of both men and women in every aspect of life. The necessity of women policy knows no bound in this regard we should eliminate all sorts of existing discrimination against women. The present condition of women has discussed below:- 7. 1. Women in different profession During the last 100 years women have achieved only 30 percent progress. In the education and employment sector women have one third presences against men. In the 9th parliamentary election only 19 women have elected directly. Women have 45 reserved seats in parliament. The grand total of women members in parliament is 64. Although there are five women minister including prime minister are responsive for important ministry. In the law profession women have only one forth participation. In the secretary level of government there were only four women in 2010. At present there are five women justice in the high court. According to last year police report there are 1,937 women police in police department. From recent research work done by ‘women for women’, it can be said that only 8-10% women are working in the government offices as the 1st and 2nd class gazetted officer. Although there should have equal rights for both men and women. 7. 2. Women in education There is not much difference between boys and girls in the primary and secondary education level. But in case of higher education the difference rate is 0. 53. They are not being able to take higher education for child marriage. A report of UNICEF world children shows that, in our country 64% women get married before they become 18 years old. 7. 3. Women participation in economic activity In the labour market there is a huge difference between male and female labour. A report shows that in the recent 10 years 1 crore 30 Lac labour entered into labour market, among them 50 Lac are women. A survey of Bangladesh statistical Bureaus shows that, economical capable labour force is 4 crore 95 Lac, among them 1 crore 13 Lac are women. 48. 0 percent of the total labour force are involved in agriculture. The women who are involved in economic activity get lower wage than a man. In a manufactory market women earn 43 percent income than a man. In the readymade garments sector, agriculture and construction sector we can see a huge wage discrimination between men and women which is not acceptable at all. In the recent 2010-11 budget education ministry ha s allotted only 23-29 percent and health ministry has allotted only 32. 33 percent money of their total expenditure. So such discrimination is not acceptable. 7. 4. Increase rate of women oppression The trend of women oppression has changed in the recent time. Besides eve teasing women are oppressed regularly through mobile and internet. A research shows that about 39. 7 percent of urban women and about 41. 7 percent of rural women are oppressed differently in our country. A chart is shows in these regard below: Type of oppression| 2005| 2006| 2007| 2008| 2009| Acid attach | 13| 142| 95| 80| 63| Familial oppression| 89| 635| 577| 608| 281| Oppression for dowry | 356| 334| 294| 296| 285| Rape| 585| 515| 436| 486| 446| Fatwa | 46| 39| 35| 20| 35| Sultana, 2010: 12, The Daily Nayadiganto) 7. 5. Women’s achievement are not few Although women are oppressed, harassed and facing different kinds of discrimination, their achievements are not little at all. Mother is now introduced as a guardian of her children and in the recent time as women gets an opportunity to become a justice of high court. Victim center for depressed women children, familial conflict law-2011 has been passed, introducing leave for mother for six months and for formulating gender based budget for 10 ministry during the financial year 2010-11. Sultana, 2010: 12, The Daily Nayadiganto) 8. Women and law To prevent women and children oppression the existing laws are revised and government has also formulated new laws. Some of the significant laws are below:- * Dowry Prevention Law * Child Marriage Prevention Law * Women and Children Oppression Prevention Law-2010 For providing legal assistance and advice to the victim women and children a cell and rehabilitation centers have been established. 8. 1. Familial Conflict Law- 2010 Familial conflict law-2010 is formulated to ensure equal rights of women and children which has been discussed in our constitution CEDAW charter of UN 1979 and children rights charter, 1989. 8. 2. Citizenship Law (Revised), 2009 The citizenship law was revised by the parliament in 2009. Through the revised law mother has given the right to give citizenship of her children. 8. 3. Mobile Court Law, 2009 To reduce eve teasing and prevent sexual harassment an article 509 has been introduced in the mobile court law, where the executive magistrate has given the power to take immediate measures regarding those issues. 9. Difference between National Women Development Policy -1997 2011 It is a harsh reality that in a country that was born protesting against oppression and injustice, it needed 40 long years after its independence to come up with a policy guideline to ensure the right of its women. The government approval of the women development policy 2011 in a view to preserve women rights has been seen by many as a major step forward in women’s fight to come out of their subordinate status. Approving of this policy was one of the electoral manifestos of the ruling party which, in their earlier tenure has formulated a women’s development policy in 1997. The present policy promises to create an enormous scope for women empowerment in Bangladesh. Formed from 1997 to 2011 if took a long time for the women development policy to see the light of the day. Although the 1997 women policy proposed equal rights of women in inherited property and proposed unnecessary amendments to existing contradictory laws. The 2011 policy has conveniently avoided the issue of equal rights of women to inheritance. The new policy says that women will have full control over the inherited and earned property instead of mentioning equal right of them. The NWDP 2011 has also made a wide scope for women’s development in Bangladesh in all aspects. The new policy has included some additional contemporary issues. Such as:- * Provisions for the development of indigenous women, physically or intellectually challenged women. * Rights of women coping with the effect of climate change and so on. Again, the new policy has incorporated a clause to formulate a gender sensitive budget. This budget can ensure women’s inclusion in the whole planning and development programme of the country. 10. Objectives of National Women Development Policy -2011 Followings are the objectives of NWDP-2011: (a) Establish equal rights for women and men according to the constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh in every aspect of state lives. (b) Ensure security of women in social familial and state life. (c) Ensure the economic, political, social, administrative and legal empowerment of women. (d) Establish the human rights of women. (e) Ensure the full and equal rights of women to participate in socio-economic development. (f) Build up women as educated expert human resource. g) Eliminate all kinds of discrimination between men and women. (h) Eliminate all sorts of oppression to women and children. (i) Provide necessary services for women development. (j) Proper step should be taken to ensure the sound health and nutritious of women. (k) Innovate and import new technology for women and banned the use of those technology which goes wrong with women. (l) Provision for the develo pment of indigenous women, physically or intellectually challenged women. (m) Give assistance to women entrepreneur to develop their business. 11. Necessity of women development policy In our society we can see that women are deprived of their rights and opportunity in every aspect of their life. Although the half of the population of our country are women. Without their full participation in the development process we will not be able to go ahead further. So their contribution knows know bound. In that case the national women development policy can play an important role for protecting their rights. In this sense we can give a practical examples: In our country women have to struggle for the control over earned property in many cases, this policy will help to establish one’s rights to own property. Regarding the control over property, women often need to coupe to court, fight cases and then manage to get a verdict in their favour. But this policy will change the state of women who will not be requiring court cases to establish their ownership over their property and their rights to be recognized. National women development policy is needed for the following reasons: (a) Preservation of human rights of women Human rights are those which are needed for a human to live independently. A state’s constitution, a law or the international laws are the highest paper of human rights. State is aware to protect these rights. But in modern times the human rights of a man are not followed properly. But in the most of the cases the human have rights of women are not maintained. Women have to struggle in their every aspect of life from birth to death. They are depriving of their rights. The present women policy is a milestone for the women for preserving their minimum rights. The policy will help to strengthen their rights and to achieve their desired goals. (b) Preventing women oppression Bangladesh is one of the poor countries of the third world. Beside this our social structure is not helpful for the overall development of the women. Women have a limited and weak participation in the social structure and most of the people belief in social and religions superstition. This leads to the under development of women. Women are oppressed physically and mentally from his own house to the different aspects of his life. In our daily newspapers we have a lot of proof of such incidents. In our country there are various reasons behind such oppression, as like dowry, familial misunderstanding and impoliteness behavior of men. In recent time’s acid throwing, fatwabazi and sexual harassment has increased at a large number. For those reason the government should come forward to stop this oppression and ensure the constitutional rights of women. Hence, the NWDP is an effective step taken by the government. (c) Ensure women empowerment Women should be empowered socially, politically and economically. Women empowerment will be ensured when a woman will be able to take her decision independently. But in our social structure women are considered as the subordinate to men and they force women to do their duty. Women should come forward to establish their position. Both women and men have their equal right and dignity. From the dawn of the civilization women and men worked together to make the future brighter. To ensure the participation of women in the development process they need to be empowered mentally, economically and politically. That is why modern social science termed women development as the empowerment of women. Empowerment is linked to the total human emancipation. (d) Bring a positive change in social structure Human life is not stable. There should have a positive change with this changing process. We have to keep pace with this process. But some people in the third world countries do not like the positive change to happen in reality in society. They show excuses to prevent this change. Gender issue is an important aspect of society. It determines the relationship status between men and women. Although our constitutions strictly ensured the equal rights of men and women in every aspect of their life. For that reason we have to make a positive change in the relationship between men and women. In a certain point of the social development process a few socially determined actors created a cultural hemisphere, which pushed the civilization not to think women as equal to the men. This cultural phenomenon changed the thought process of society and the society started discrimination between men and women and ultimately women become change a deprived part of society. So we should have to change such pattern of the society. (e) Achieving economic and social development Although women ar e the half of the population of our country but they cannot fully participate in the economic development process of our country. Their activities are only limited to the domestic work, which is unfair and rude. But if they get enough opportunity they will be able to proof themselves. They can able to do any difficult task. Their strong participation in the agricultural sector industrial sector especially readymade garments sector have strengthen our economy. The recent women policy has proposed to ensure equal and full participation of women in every sector they like. In one side it is necessary to empower our women and the other side it is much needed for bringing socio-economic development. f) Achieving democracy and good governance Democracy and good governance are those elements which should be practiced regularly. In a democratic process people have their right to protect their will. It is a cruel reality, women are deprived in family and society, in decision making process, in administrative process of governance and most importantly in economic activities. Even the women contribute in the process of soc ial development, which has also financial value, are being ignored by the society. Presently this process gets extra momentum as one vice-chairman at upazilla level has already been included and deputy mayor at municipality level is going to be include. The present women development policy is a milestone for achieving true democracy and good governance in our country. Source†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 12. Debate with National Women Development Policy-2011 There is a on going discussion about the National Women Development Policy 2011 (NWDP). There are lots of debate about this policy going around the country. â€Å"Inherited property† is at the focal point of their debate. Islamic Oikya Jote (IOJ), a partner of the BNP led opposition alliance has been assuming that the women development policy might contradict Muslim law with regard to equal share of women in inherited property. In a number of statements by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) said that, the policy does not contradict with Muslim law. The new policy says that women will have full control over the inherited and earned property instead of mentioning equal rights to them. But the activists of Islamic organization do not agree with that statements. The concept of ‘property’ has a number of dimensions. One is â€Å"movable property†, another is â€Å"fixed property†, â€Å"earned property† or ‘inherited property’. In a broad sense women will be given equal opportunity and full control over respective properties as Bangladesh is a country where women often cannot claim hundred percent control over any kind of property. This policy would help women to have control over their existing and earned property. In the proposed NWDP the government has decided to amend existing contradictory laws to ensure equal rights, equal opportunity and equal participation of men and women in every aspect of life. On the other side government has also promised to implement the â€Å"Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In the CEDAW charter, it is told to ensure equal rights of men and women in every aspects of social life. So that the Islamic thinker and the analyst of this policy think that there will be a scope of equal rights of women in the inherited property. But the government in disagrees with that. There are so many in sentiency and self-enmity of this women development policy. These are described below: In the article 25. of women development policy 2011 it is said that, women have full control over their right to land, earned property, inheritance and credit to earn and enact necessary new laws to put these rights into practice. According to government statement, in the women policy women do not have the equal rights to inherited property. But in the article 16. 1 it is mentioned that, â€Å"Men and women should gave equal rights in ev ery aspect of life according to the constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. † In article 16. 8 it is said that, â€Å"all sorts of existing discrimination between men women will be removed. In article 17. 1 it is mentioned that, â€Å"all sorts of discrimination in case of political, economic social and cultural rights of women will be removed and government has also promised to implement the CEDAW charter in that policy. † According to the article 17. 2, â€Å"necessary steps will be taken for the publicity of CEDAW charter and implementation of that. † In the article 17. 4 it is said that, â€Å"necessary amendments of existing contradictory laws. † According to the women development policy, women should have equal rights and equal opportunity in every sector. So ultimately the religious leaders think that women should have equal rights in their inherited property. Some problems and the issues which go against the holy Quran and Sunnah are as follows: (i) The women development policy is formulated as a strategy to implement the CEDAW charter. The articles 2, 3, 9, 13 and 16 of CEDAW charter go against the Islam. But in that women policy government has expressed his full wish to implement the CEDAW charter. (ii) In the women policy there is a reflection of CEDAW charter. In the CEDAW charter women are presented as the European style, where the Islamic orders are not followed at all. But Islamic culture is totally different. (iii) In the women development policy women have given equal rights in every sector. But in Islam it has also ensured the equal rights of women but men must have to play the leading role. (iv) The religious leaders think that, in the women policy the system of maintaining religious ritual and order is ignored totally. (v) The religion Islam has built a social life through the mutual cooperation of both men and women. So that the few religious leaders think that the present women policy will break this familial bond. As a result they consider this policy as anti-Islamic. (vi) Based on some article of women policy there should have a chance of establishing equality between men and women in future. 13. The position of civil society regarding this debate The present women development policy has been criticized by the different religion based political party. They termed the women policy as anti Quran. But on the other side the civil society has welcomed this policy. Different women organization, activists, Nagorik Uddgog, professionals and intellectuals have appreciated this government’s initiative to ensure omen’s rights. We have discussed some problems of women policy. The civil society has cleared their position regarding these problems: (i) Those who are opposing the women policy they fear that through this policy women of our country will be forced to maintain the western culture. It is just only their fore cast, but in real there should not have any scope of maintaining western c ulture. Culture belongs to a nation. We have a long tradition of our Bengali culture. We have a cultural tradition of our own. So we do not need to follow others. ii) The second reason behind their enmity is that women policy will destroy the familial bond of our society. But their imagination is absolutely wrong. In our society women are always deprived of everything they need. They are very much controlled by the male dominated society. They are treated as the subordinate to men. There should have mutual respect, equity and cooperation among them. Whenever a women stands for her legal rights, at that time it seems very negative for the entire society. Even the religious leaders do not take it positively. But the women policy will strengthen the tie of familial bond. iii) Another fact is that, for the present women development policy there will be an equal opportunity for the women to establish equality in inherited property in future. But the government has already avoided the iss ue of equal rights of women in inheritance. The new policy says that women will have full control over the inherited and earned property instead of mentioning equal rights to them. (iv) The forth reason is that the system of safeguarding women according to islam is neglected here. But anywhere of the women policy there is no such scope of avoiding this issue. The Islamist group just only misguiding the people. Every woman has their right to maintain her dress code. It depends on her choice and it is related to our cultural system. Nobody is bound to follow any rules here. Nothing is said on that issue in the policy. (Majumdar, 2011:12, The Daily Prothom Alo). 14. Challenges of implementing women development policy-2011 (i) Male dominated society and their attitude It is now universally accepted that women are deprived of their rights. Considering the socio-economic status they are subordinate to men. Our society is always dominated by men. Here women have little things to do. Women always think that they are subordinate to men. Domestic role is their only duty to play. But without their full involvement in the development process we cannot go a long way. Though both men and women have equal rights but we are not in habit of thinking so. Women empowerment is the demand of time. So we should change the attitude of men to have better development. Still they are opposing this policy. (ii) Administrative hindrance Administrative agents play an important role for implementing all kinds of law and policy. But our civil administration is highly corrupted and mostly dominated by men. So there should have administrative hindrances for implementing this policy. Our administrative agents have the lack of willingness to implement this policy. So it would be natural to have hindrances in the process of implementing this policy. (iii) Lack of mass participation In a democratic process mass people are responsible for all sorts of power. But unfortunately it is true that our male dominated mentality and different kinds of social and religious political parties have been not able to accept the change. People participation is needed for formulating the policy. People are not aware of such policy. They are always keep in dark when taking such policy. On the other side government have limited publicity and measures regarding such issues. (iv) Weak position of government and political party Government and political parties play an important role in the democratic process. Their role is essential in the policy formulation and implementation process. But the political parties of our country are not totally aware of women development. Besides some religion based political parties are also protesting the women policy. So it is hardly seems to be difficult to implement this policy. (v) Extreme poverty and economic crisis of women Poverty is a great curse for any development. Most of the people of our country live below the poverty line. Economic growth will not be achievable without reducing poverty. Economic development plays a significant role for overall development activities. So it will be difficult to implement the women policy against extreme poverty and economic crisis. (vi) Limited presence of women in political structure There is huge gender discrimination in our political structure. Women’s participation is limited considering mans participation, although both leading political parties leaders are women. In the general election the direct participation of women are not significant. Women participation in the political structure are limited to reserve seats. So it should be difficult to raise their voices against the male dominated society to implement the women policy. (vii) Negative publicity Different religion based political parties, Islamist activists and organizations have staged demonstration against the proposed national women development policy and they are demanding its immediate withdrawal. The Islamist leaders accused the interim government of trying to implement anti-shariah policy in the name of national women development policy. It is a great hindrance to implement the policy. (viii) Lack of democracy and stable political condition Democracy and political stability is the precondition for overall development of the country. In a democratic process everyone get the equal opportunity to protect basic rights. Economic growth can be ensured through this process. But in our country the instable political condition is not helpful for the implementation of such policy. ix) Organizational limitations An organization plays a dominant role to complete task or to establish any rights properly. So there need a powerful and progressive organizations. In our country there are number of women organizations which are working hard to establish their rights. But in some cases their activity is not strong enough. They are not be able to make them strong in supporting the women policy. (x) Lack of motivation in the leadership process There is not well established organization related the women development. They are not concern about their activity. Leadership process of those organizations is not strong enough. Women are not motivated by those organizations because of their limited activity. So it is also a challenge for implementing the national women development policy. (xi) Lack of women awareness and education of women Women are the half of our total population. Without their involvement in the development activity we cannot go a long way. But the status of our women is poor. Most of them are illiterate and unaware of their rights. So it is difficult for them to establish their rights. Most of them are in deep trouble. They should come out total light. If they are leg behind it will be difficult to implement the policy. (xii) Lack of active participation of civil society Civil society influences the government decision making process through their different activity though they do not take participation in that process directly. But they are only involved in different activity such as seminar, symposium, giving statements and workshops. They do not have active participation in the question of women empowerment in our country. It acts as a major challenge in the way of implementing the national women development policy. xiii) Lack of legal structure and problem of implementation According to the article 27 of our constitutions it is said that, â€Å"All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. † The prime objectives of women policy is to ensure equality and equity of both men and women in all sphere of life. Change has been made regarding these issues. But th ose are not well enough. In our country we have so many laws but not have the proper implementation. The present women development policy is a guideline for women empowerment. There should have well established legal structure to implement the policy. Without this the policy will not be fruitful for the development of women. (xiv) Fundamentalism The fundamentalist of our country have never accepted the progressive change on any issue. They have always opposed that issue. The recent women policy is not also acceptable to them. Different religion on based political parties, Islamist activists have threatened the government not to implement the policy. They wrong explanation about the policy is misguiding the mass people. 15. Limitations of women development policy-2011 In the article no. 10, 27, 28, 29 of our constitution the equal rights of women are acknowledged. It is a great achievement for the women development. But our political and other social factors create hindrances in the process of women development. Our democratic process is not strong enough for such development. There is lack of willingness of our political leaders to take initiative for women development. Women development policy is the demand of time. But the women policy cannot able to reflect the hope and expectations of the largest part of our population. Some of the limitations of women policy are discussed below: (i) Inherited property is the basic and biggest source of property of human in any other country of the world. Social status of human is determined through this property. But in the women policy there is no clear statement regarding inherited property. So it is the great limitations of this policy. It acts as a great hindrance in the process of women empowerment. (ii) In the women policy it is said that, women should have full control over their inherited property. But how these should be decided is not made clear in the policy. (iii) There are different religions in our society. In the Christian religion women do not get the full access to her property without earned property and gifts. The Hindu women do not have any right to her inherited roperty. So how these women will establish their control over inherited property are not explained in the women policy. (iv) In the women policy there is no option for â€Å"uniform family code. † The civil society who are aware of women development are demanding that for a long time. But in the women policy there is no reflection of this demand. ( v) Few articles of CEDAW charter are extremely restricted in our country which creates barrier for women development. Though government has promised to implement the CEDAW charter but there is no clear-cut direction on behalf of the government for those restricted articles. vi) Participation of women in every aspect especially in national level sports and culture are very much neglected. In the women development policy there is less emphasize given on that issue. (vii) Women oppression is a usual incident in our country. They are deprived and harassed in every aspect of their life. There is no direction to take strong measures to prevent women oppression. There is no discussion of marital rape in that policy. (viii) Different NGOs provide micro-credits the rural women for the socio-economic development. Through this micro-credit system most of the rural women are deprived and exploited. There is not a single world in the women policy regarding this. Besides there are some other limitations of women policy. Such as follows: (i) There should have equal participation of both men and women in domestic work. But it is not mentioned in the policy. Women are not bound to cook, wash cloths and grow up children. Men have lot more things to do. (ii) â€Å"Mohorana† is a trend which is given to a woman at her marriage. But in reality get this mohorana properly. There is no direction to take this in the women policy. (iii) Women are deprived of her right for not obeying the land law. No measure has been taken in the policy regarding this. (iv) There is no direction for implementing dowry prevention law and preventing women oppression in that policy. 16. Recommendations On the basis of our discussion we can give some recommendation. Such as follows:- 1. Clear explanation should be given about inheritances property. 2. Formulating ‘Uniform Family Code’ on grounds of religion, race, caste. 3. Eliminate all kinds of vagueness. 4. Ensure equal participation of women in every aspect of life. 5. The policy should be turned into law for effective implementation. . Build up awareness among mass people for removing any kinds of confusion about the policy. 7. Ensure active and strong participation of government, civil society and different women’s group for the effective implementation of the policy. 8. Attitude of women should be changed towards development and they should be motivated. 9. Ensure women participation to have socio-economic development an d reduce extreme poverty. 10. Women should be self-employed and they should participate in decision making process. 11. Remove all sorts of in consistence of women policy. 17. Conclusion Implementation of the women development policy should be kept completely outside of politicization, as it is an issue of national development. As the policy is talking about eight crore people who are women, its implementation requires active participation of both the government and civil society through a participatory process along with a specific time bound action plan. Again the new policy now requires a through action plan to monitor the state of women in Bangladesh. As the government has already approved the policy we are now counting on the proper implementation with concentration on carrying out the requirements stipulated by CEDAW. Women have to be conscious and aware of their rights and should move forward with the unable utilization of the policy in empowering women and ensuring gender equality. References Majumdar, Dr. Badiul Alam (2011). What are the main reasons of enmity? , in Editorial page, The Daily Prothom Alo, A Daily Bengali Newspaper, Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 09 Sultana, Mahmuda (2011). How far the economic freedom of women? , in Naree page, The Daily Nayadiganta, A Daily Bengali Newspaper, Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 15 The Constitution of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, printed with latest amendment, August 01, 2006, p. ,8,24 Yahya, Abul Fatah Muhammad (2011). Some articles and explanation of the holy Quran, in Religion and life page, The Daily Nayadiganta, A Daily Bengali Newspaper, Dhaka, Bangladesh, March 25 National Women Development Policy-1997 and 2011 The Daily Nayadiganta, March-8, 9, 14, 15,21,24,25, 2011 The Daily Prothom Alo, March-8, 9, 10, 2011 The Daily Sangram, March-10, 14, 27, 30, 2011 Daily Star, The (2011). March, 8 † † † † . March, 10 † † † † . March, 12

SAT German Subject Test Information

SAT German Subject Test Information    Haben Sie studierte die deutsche Sprache fà ¼r eine Weile? Ist Ihr Deutsch ausgezeichnet? If you know what were rattling on about, then perhaps you may do well on the SAT German Subject Test. Its not for the faint of heart. It is, however, for those Studenten who want to show off the years of study theyve put into the language. So, whats on it? Keep reading for all the basics. Note: This test is not part of the SAT Reasoning Test, the popular college admissions exam. This is one of the many SAT Subject Tests  which are  designed to showcase your scholarship in all sorts of fields. SAT German Subject Tests Basics Before you register for this test, (which only pops up once a year) here are the basics about your testing conditions: 60 minutes.85 multiple-choice questions.200-800 points possible.Conforms to the German spelling reform (Rechtschreibreform) as much as possible.2 different types of German questions: Reading comprehension and Vocabulary/Grammar in context. SAT German Subject Test Questions So, whats actually on the test? What kinds of questions will you be answering? Heres the way in which your German fluency will be tested: Sentence and Paragraph Completion: Approximately 42-43 questions. According to the College Board, these questions test vocabulary and grammar. They require you to know the meaning of words and idiomatic expressions in context and to identify usage that is structurally correct and appropriate. For each omission, you must select the choice that BEST fits each sentence. Reading Comprehension: Approximately 42 - 43 questions. The passages here are taken from printed materials such as advertisements, timetables, street signs, forms and tickets. There are also several prose passages followed by questions that test your understanding of the passages. The passages, mostly adapted from literary sources and newspapers or magazines, are generally one or two paragraphs in length and test whether you can identify the main idea or comprehend facts or details in the text. Why Take the SAT German Subject Test? In some cases, youll need to take them, especially if youre considering choosing German as your major. In other cases, its a great idea to take the German Subject Test so you can showcase that highly sought-after skill of bilingualism. It shows the college admissions officers that you have more up your sleeve than your GPA. Taking the test, and scoring high on it, demonstrates qualities of a well-rounded applicant. Plus, it can get you out of those entry-level language courses. How to Prepare for the SAT German Subject Test To ace this thing, youll need at least two years (but preferably four) in German during high school, and youll want to take the test as close to the end of or during your most advanced German class you plan to take. Getting your high school German teacher to offer you some supplementary study materials is always a good idea, too, and it never hurts to ask a kindly German neighbor or grandmother to speak with you once in a while in German.  In addition, you should practice with legitimate practice questions like youll see on the test. The College Board offers free practice questions for the SAT German Test along with a pdf of the answers, too. Sample SAT German Subject Test Question This question comes from the College Boards free practice questions. The writers have ranked the questions from 1 to 5 where 1 is the least difficult. The question below is ranked as a 4. Der Prsident hat gestern Abend eine . . . gehalten. (A) Rede(B) Sprache(C) Nachricht(D) Erklrung Sample Answer Choice (A) is correct. Yesterday evening the president gave a speech (A). The expression â€Å"to give a speech† is rendered idiomatically by eine Rede halten. It does not make sense to say that the president gave a language (B) yesterday evening, and it is much more likely that the president gave a speech than a message (C) or an explanation (D).

A Perfect Couple - What remains for Amy

The play A Perfect Couple by Brooke Berman focuses on themes of friendship, love, and betrayal among friends Amy, Isaac, and Emma. The title itself is an ironic representation of the plot where the relationship comes crashing down because of a secret that should or should not have been divulged. Amy, (Dana Eskelson) and Isaac (James Waterston) are engaged to be married after a long and rather rocky relationship as the couple dated precariously that lasted for fifteen years until decided to tie the knot. They decided to have an informal gathering at Isaac’s inherited house, just to talk about redefining their lives and enjoying their friendship. Amy, the bossy and assertive fiancà © discovers a diary in the house, which used to belong to Isaac’s eccentric grandmother, a diary that changes their whole relationship with each other. When Amy discovered this she immediately berates Isaac for not having to tell her, though Isaac does not know of the diary’s existence. Amy is then torn by two nagging issues – that his fiancà © once loved Emma (Annie McNanamara), her long time college friend, and that Emma had visited Isaac in his upstate home. Naturally, after dating on and off for a long time, Amy felt furious as she shouted trying to vent out her frustration. She kept waving the diary in Isaac’s oblivious face, trying to search for an answer that was never going to come. During the early parts of the play, Amy and Emma were talking about their college days, and how Amy met Isaac, how their careers blossomed leading to their desired lifestyles and eventually marriage.   During their conversation, as an audience, one could surmise that the three friends had a strong relationship. Emma was a witness between Amy and Isaac’s relation and she chose to say nothing that would otherwise destroy the couple. Indeed, the friends trusted each other and their relationship seemed unbreakable. Amy advises the single Emma to settle down and have a family rather than enjoying one-time relationships with random men. During the course of the play, Amy’s own thoughts and advice turns her paranoid and convinces herself that Emma chooses to remain single because Isaac. Their conversation is on a mature scale even though it defies sense logic but their continued arguments force them to show their different personalities and principles in life. The common ground between their conversation and arguments is the friend’s belief in love. During the play’s finer points, Amy is devastated of Isaac and Emma’s secret relationship. She leave the house without any pretence and runs to their next-door neighbour’s house. Josh (Elan Moss-Bachrach) neighbor and recent college grad student, was there to comfort the suffering Amy. Leaning on Josh’s shoulder she poured her heart out, she was at a loss on what to do. The one-act play was straightforward and direct to the point. Amy’s act is worth mentioning since Eskelson perfectly suits the role, finding easily to produce a comic and quirky character while maintaining her sensible and somewhat secretive character. Her voice was crisp, audible and understandable that could have been otherwise hard to determine her role in the plot. Her performance espoused what her role is, her plight despite the smiles and laughs she had among her closest friends. During a point in the play where Emma was having a conversation with Amy about their happy college experiences, her voice was high- spirited and cheery as though she was relieving her college days right then and there. Her character is also flexible as presented during their argument with regard the diary. Her character, after an uncertain emotional status, becomes angry and frail, fed up of trying to mending and maintaining relationships after many years. In addition, her episode at Josh’s house, she became cool, as though she had already decided what to do. Already bordered by uncertainty, Amy’s fun and quirky character transforms into a distressed and enraged fiancà © into a hopeless yet purposeful woman in the end. There is already a hint of emotional imbalance that can be derived from her rocky dating life with Isaac. But when Isaac had proposed to her, she was finally convinced that it was already the real thing and gave her enough reason to believe that Isaac wanted the marriage to. She had affirmed herself of their relationship and thus have settled for happiness that she thought would not be destroyed. But the diary changed everything and her emotional stability, already hanging by a thread, comes crashing down. In the end, she breaks down emotionally, and settles for the consolation of their next door neighbour. Amy intensely showed most of five stages of psychological grief shock, anger, negotiation, depression, and acceptance. Ms. Eskelson’s acting was precise and she was clearly in character as she portrayed her character’s suffering from emotional grief.   At first, she experienced natural shock from the diary’s contents. But this did not cause her denial, instead she sought the truth from Isaac. When he did not give an answer, she was forced to take the diary seriously even though it mean that Isaac’s stepmother was either lying or twisting the truth. She relied too much on the diary, but this is justified because of her paranoia, coming from her assurances that her relationship with Isaac was going to be perfect because of their engagement. When Amy knew, she needed someone to support her since her two friends lied to their face. She had no choice but to express her feelings to Josh. Naturally, this level of betrayal unhinges her and goes into depression, hurt by the two people she trusted most. Finally she accepts her situation. In the end, she decides to break up with Isaac and leave his house. When Emma asked how theirI thoroughly enjoyed the whole performance for the issues that revolved around the story can certainly be found in normal relationships: the love triangle among the three friends, issues on betraying friendships, heartbreaks and a nagging uncertainty of the future in the end. Also, the diary also played an essential role for the whole plot. From the unproven entries of Isaac’s grandmother, claiming that Isaac really loved Emma, is a modern day interpretation of Pandora’s box. It is a secret that hovers on exposing truth or concealing it, as one consequence would be the destruction of their unique friendship, and, for Amy and Isaac, their marriage that took 15 years in the making. On the other hand, the diary’s concealment would forever torture the three friends as Amy lives in a blind happiness, unknown to the secret relationship Emma and Isaac had. It was indeed a test on their friendship. The performance moved me and inspired me to think about what has the greater importance, whether friendship or love. The play also empathizes with audiences on how to confront or overcome unexpected problems in a middle of a relationship and friendship.   I sympathized with Amy’s situation. Her dilemma was beyond that of Isaac and Emma. If Isaac had told Amy about their brief experience at his house, she would have not been upset that much. She would have been better off knowing the truth rather than living knowing nothing. But they hid the truth whether or not it was intentional, but as a good friend it would have better for Amy. The truth is people get hurt by telling the truth but the greatest hurt comes from friends who decide it is better to lie rather than betraying them with the truth.

Presbycusis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Presbycusis - Essay Example The process of normal hearing starts when sound waves are conducted through the outer ear canal to the eardrum. The eardrum in return vibrates to set the malleus, the incus, and the stapes of the middle ear in motion. These three bones which terminate in the fluid filled opening within the inner ear particularly the snail like structure, cochlea responds to vibrations from the surroundings that are the basis of sound. The chain of command from these three bones triggers the fluid which relays the oscillating currents to the organ of corti. Currents are transferred with the help of the tiny hair projections lining the internal membrane of the cochlea and waving like the smooth underwater plants to move the sound that stimulates nerve endings. Thousands of these nerving endings which merge at the end of the cochlea unite to become the auditory nerve which carries nerve impulses to the hearing area of the cerebral cortex in the brain (Wagman, 1992). Presbycusis which is a progressive he aring loss is caused by defects in the outer, middle or inner ear. Presence of congenital deformities in the outer ear may interfere with the capture of sound waves from the environment that maybe funneled to the ear canal.

The Case Against Pirating Movies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Case Against Pirating Movies - Essay Example Corporations like Amazon, Vudu, Hudu, and Netflix are four such companies that provide subscription services to movies and television shows. Movie piracy is unethical because retail companies lose revenue from potential rentals and sales; those connected with making the film lose royalty revenue; it is against the law, even though the general population continues to pay ever higher prices to attend movie theaters. In 2009, it was reported (DGA web) that from BitTorrent in 2009, there were 11 million downloads of Star Trek (version 2009), 9.4 million downloads of The Hangover, 7.2 million downloads of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and 6.9 million downloads of Knowing (DGA web). If one were to put a price of a DVD for each of these, say at $15.00, the financial loss would run about $5 billion dollars or more in lost revenue in a DVD sales format. What would not be mentioned here is the revenue generated by sales of DVDs which provide royalties to performers and producers (including all those who worked on the film overall), and those retail companies who provide rental and online purchases of those movies to the general public. The Pirate Bay is an online worldwide file-sharing website for which there were 25 million users in 2009 and where pirated films could be shared online. The television series Heroes was also considered one of the most pirated series in 2009, downloaded from BitTorrent (DGA web ). The result is that, for those who are technologically adept at hacking and sharing information, the piracy of movie and television shows is a big business. It is also interesting to note that one of the attributes to encouraging piracy, particularly of large-file movies, is the increase and development of larger broadband widths in Internet delivery. The years 2004 to 2008 showed about a 27% drop in DVD and VHS sales (Danaher, Smith, and Telang 14).

Motivation Letter Essay Example for Free

Motivation Letter Essay I am new to this forum. While searching for samples of motivation letters, I came across many threads on this forum regrading this issue. I am a Syrian student, and this scholarship is so important for me because I can no longer complete my studies in Damascus. In the ranking criteria of this scholarships, the motivation letter has 20% of the application grading scheme. For this reason I need to make it as good as possible. Unfortunately I am new to writing this kind of letters, so I hope for some help. To make my letter clear, I just want to tell that the host university I chose is Technische UniversitÃÆ' ¤t Berlin. I am allowed to write up to 4000 characters. Here is my letter, â€Å"Where there’s a will, there’s a way,† one of the best proverbs I follow to achieve my goals and ambitions, starting from my early teenage. Since I was a student in the intermediate school, the major of study I wanted to take after high school was clear to me. Many difficulties faced me, but I could overcome all to achieve my dream in studying the major I want, Computer Science. I used to live in Lebanon during my childhood and teenage, but in 2006 the war obliged me to leave and move to Syria, my homeland. It was quite difficult to complete studying in the Syrian schools because of the huge differences between the Syrian and Lebanese curricula. Yet I succeeded, and graduated from high school with an average of 99.16 percent. In Syria, it is well common that the higher the student’s average is, the more probability the he/she chooses the faculty that requires high averages in high school, usually regardless what the student’s dream is. According to my average and this tradition, I was supposed to get into the major with the highest average, medicine. Yet I chose to get into the faculty of Information Technology Engineering, as the closest major to Computer Science (because this major is not found in Damascus University), ignoring all criticisms and oppositions I received. During the last three years of my study in this major, I gave very hard efforts. But unfortunately as the revolution started, its consequences had a negative affection on my studying and thus my average. Because of the absence of safety and stability, this academic year seems to be impossible to complete. I can hardly and sometimes never able to reach my faculty and attend the lectures; in addition to witnessing an hearing the sounds of explosions during all the studying hours in the faculty. For this reason, I had to look for a solution for this huge problem. The first step to take was improving my skills to raise my opportunities. I started to take intensive lessons in German, since most universities in German-speaking countries require a certain level of German proficiency for undergraduate programs. Still the bad conditions obliged me for about two months to stop the lessons. The second step was searching for convenient universities that offer the best opportunities and fit best to my needs. Through the search, I came across the announcement of Erasmus Mundus Program, which seemed to be the outlet I was looking for. Reading about all partner universities, the options were few because I was seeking a university that offers scholarships for degree seeking students, not just exchange students. Technische UniversitÃÆ' ¤t Berlin was the best choice for me because of the scholarships it offers and my knowledge of German language. Through further search, I found that TU Berlin has a very good rank in world ranking of universities in the major of information technology. All these reasons together made TU Berlin my number one priority among all universities. I want to study at TU Berlin because of its outstanding educational system, focus on gathering relevant work experience, and its excellent facilities. So I am confident of my decision. With many distinguished scientists as professors, I know that I will gain expert knowledge at the forefront of discovery. Further supporting professors lectures are the universitys use of advanced. All these strong positives allow me to pursue my dreams and ambitions. Given my past history of commitment to achieve my dream, I am confident that I will exceed the expectations, because of both my academic and interpersonal skills. I will enrich the program by enabling fellow students and professors to benefit from my ambitious and open nature. Furthermore, my international background will add more diversity to your program. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to your positive reply. Sincerely, Luna I like your essay, I can see the determination and will power you have in you. There are just a few grammatical errors which need to be corrected. â€Å"Where there’s a will, there’s a way,† one of the best proverbs I follow to achieve my goals and ambitions, starting from my early teenage. Since I was a student in the intermediate school, the major of study I wanted to take after high school was clear to me. Many difficulties faced me, but I could overcome all to achieve my dream in studying the major I want, Computer Science. â€Å"Where there’s a will, there’s a way,† Personally, one of my favorite proverbs and one which I have always followed to achieve my goals and ambitions? Ever since, I was a student in the intermediate school (do you mean secondary school?), the major of study I have wanted to pursue after completing high school was clear to me. I have faced many obstacles, but fortunately I overcame all of them to achieve my dream in studying the major I want, Computer Science. I used to live in Lebanon during my childhood and teenage, but in 2006 the war obliged me to leave and move to Syria, my homeland. It was quite difficult to complete studying in the Syrian schools because of the huge differences between the Syrian and Lebanese curricula. Yet I succeeded, and graduated from high school with an average of 99.16 percent. I lived in Lebanon during my childhood and teenage until the war in 2006 obliged us (you and your family?) to flee (or you can use the word return) to Syria, my homeland. I was struggling in high school because of the vast differences between the Syrian and Lebanese curricula. Yet, I managed to succeed and graduated from high school with an average of 99.16 percent. - In Syria, it is well common that the higher the student’s average is, the more probability the he/she chooses the faculty that requires high averages in high school, usually regardless what the student’s dream is. According to my average and this tradition, I was supposed to get into the major with the highest average, medicine. Yet I chose to get into the faculty of Information Technology Engineering, as the closest major to Computer Science (because this major is not found in Damascus University), ignoring all criticisms and oppositions I received. In Syria, it is a trend is/ usually/ etc/use something other than well common, that the higher a students average is, the higher the probability he/ she chooses the/a faculty (field/ major) which requires high averages in high school, regardless of what the students dream is. According to this tradition and my average, I was supposed to pick the major which requires the highest average, medicine. Yet, I chose the faculty of Information Technology Engineering, as the closest major to Computer Science (.), ignoring all the criticisms and oppositions I received.

St. Benidict And Fear Of The L :: essays research papers

St. Benedict and the Fear of the Lord Throughout the ancient world the God's were something that people loved and hated. They did have a certain fear from their gods, but it wasn't like that kind of fear of the Middle Ages. With Christianity coming into full stride, the mentality of the time was that God was something to be feared. This is something of importance, the middle ages are riddled with the fear of god and people spend their whole lives in that constant shadow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This is noticeable in our first reading. In The Rule of St. Benedict he goes about on how to live a monastic life, and what the proper procedures are. The main goal that I feel is, is to not make God angry. Humility and obedience, the building blocks for anyone's life. This amount of fear and the practice of fear is very visible in the reading, from following the words of the apostle that says, 'Reprove, rebuke, exhort'; to the daily life of a monk and the rules to which a monk needs to follow.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The two main rules that a monk has to follow truly show the 'signs of the times'; Obedience and Humility. Obedience being the first grade of humility, the part that we are interested in is the part of 'if you don't obey then you should burn in hell…'; for someone today this excerpt, I feel, wouldn't affect them as much as if did back then. Some main reasons for this being, the fall of the Roman Empire, people were sick and tired of being pushed around by tyrants and idiot kings; they were ready for a change. But this change was only going to come around if they obey fully to what this new god had to say.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Humility, well now that just gives it all away. Just reading the first sentence, '…keeping ever before one's eyes the feat of the lord…'; and it goes on to talk about people talking back and burning in hell. We now see just how scared the people really were, so it comes down to, talk back to God and you will burn in hell. Will people really fall for this? It so happens that people do, they believe that with this newfound king they will HAVE to obey the rules no matter what. Now remember these rules are for monks, but if we look into the daily lives of people they too follow the same procedures.

Play “Romeo and Juliet” Essay

Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare about two teenage lovers whose untimely deaths ultimately unite their families together. In this play â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† Lord and Lady Capulet were seen to be great parents to an extent. Juliet is there one and only daughter at fourteen years old, she was nursed by their nurse from the begging of her life. She knew all about Juliet and knew more than her parents and she was closer and understanding than then. Therefore Juliet called her mother Lady Capulet as in 3rd person and how others would call her instead of mother – that shows the relationship between them. Lord and Lady Capulet were rich enough to rent people to care for Juliet and in fact the nurse was to nurse her until she left to her husband’s house. Juliet was chosen to marry Paris who was from a rich and cared family. Lord and Lady Capulet thought it was great for their daughter to marry to a pleasant man. Juliet was only 14 years old but it was usual at Shakespeare time to get married at such age. Her mother got married earlier she was desperate to finish it quickly. â€Å"Well think of marriage now. Younger than you, Here in Verona, ladies of esteem are made already ladys. By my count i was your lady much upon these years that you are now a maid.† At Shakespeare’s time women were not allowed to act at stages as there were thought to inferior to men. So men were used to act out the play dress as women most or all of the time. Men usually played the scenes of women acts. They even dressed up as them to make it more understanding and easier to navigate. In Act 1 Lord and Lady Capulet are concerned for Juliet’s welfare. They decide to get her married and sent her off. Lord Capulet â€Å"My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years: Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.† When Juliet sees Romeo she instead loves him. Romeo too at first sight of Juliet falls in love, as they look at each other Romeo â€Å"O then, dear saint, let lip do what hand do: They pray grant thou, lest faith turn to despair† and Juliet â€Å"Then have my lips, the sin that they have took† This shows the love between them at fight sight. But on the other hand Lord Capulet arranges a marriage as he finds out about Romeo and Juliet. He might purposely arrange the marriage to stop Juliet from loving Romeo or anything else from happing. On the line before Juliet meets Lord and Lady Caplet, Juliet on her first time goes and kisses Romeo on the elevators. This was on the â€Å"Ball Scene†. Over there she does what any women at that time wouldn’t have done. She kisses a man she has barely known for less than 10 minutes and wishes to marry him. Juliet therefore was irresponsible, unmannered and overwhelmed Romeo. She says â€Å"Then have lips the sin that they have took† and Romeo â€Å"Sins from my lips? O trespass sweetly urg’d. Give me my sin again. After a while in Act 3 Lord and lady Capulet changes into more an aggressive parent. They also decide to arrange the marriage that same weekend as more than half a dozen are in the city following the death of Tybalt have visited and are already in the town. Therefore more will be there to witness the wedding of Juliet. And also to bring some happiness into the Capulet family after the sad death of Tybalt. This quote from Capulet show how fast of a decision it was â€Å"A’Thursday, let it be – a’Thursday, tell her, She be married to this noble earl. It was a quick decision. On Act 4 Juliet has a change of mind. She pretends to marry Paris it makes Lord and Lady Caplet believe that she is listening to them and agrees. But really she does it to make it easier for her. She was forced to make this decision as her parents were rude and scary. â€Å"Well, we may chances to do good on her. A peevish self-will’d harlotry it is† shows how horrible they are if she does do as they say.

Conflict of Parents and Teens

The most common issue in our world today is the conflict between parents and teenagers. However, it is more than just conflict. What was once a sort of a â€Å"B.F.F.† relationship is now sour and bitter; full of arguments and sometimes fights! The arguing becomes an everyday thing and the parent nor is the child able to prevent it. It becomes natural to both. With that in mind, yes it is conflict, but it’s not forever; just temporary. Ask yourself a question about the situation†¦ Why are the teenage years more difficult with parents? Well, simply because the teenage years are when teens seek identity and parents majority come in-between it. In the present time, 13 years old is when everything goes downhill for the relationship. We start becoming more rebellious, the â€Å"back-talking† starts, conflict problems with other teens, wanting to be independent and unfortunately its good-bye to the video games and hello to the parties! All of this at only age 13. Can you imagine what the next 5 years will be? When a person reaches his or her physical maturity, there is also a change in your mental state as well as physical. We mature much earlier now days. There is no longer a match between our demand for independence, and our ability to actually be independent! Our teenage bodies and minds are screaming â€Å"I am ready to be independent! I want to make my own decisions! I want to be my own boss!† Your parents and society are screaming back at you, â€Å"You are not ready to be independent yet! You have not learned what you need to know yet! You cannot support yourself! You do not yet fully understand the dangers in this world! You are not grown!† . . . . And in the end they are right. We struggle with this unnatural situation. Reference http://www.livestrong.com/article/7895-conflict-between-parents-teenagers-/

Buboonic Plague essays

Buboonic Plague essays No one - peasant or aristocrat - was safe from the disease [bubonic plague], and once it was contracted, a horrible and painful death was almost a certainty. The dead and the dying lay in the streets abandoned by frightened friends and relatives (482). This certainly paints an accurate and horrifying picture of the fourteenth century during the plague. The bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death or The Plague, (Hindley 103) was one of the major scourges of the Middle Ages. It killed indiscriminately without remorse or thought of consequences. Because the plague was so widespread, theories about causes, blame and a variety of supposed cures abounded. Most of these were without basis or fact and relied on myths and rumors. Theories for the causes and blames came from ignorance and hate, two horrible things married by fear. Some of the cures were not much better than the plague itself. The plague was transmitted to humans by fleas from infected rats that nested in people's roofs (Matthew 154). Fourteenth century man had no concept of how the disease was spread or how it could be stopped. The plague was transmitted to western Europe from China along trade routes (Matthew 154). Once the plague had reached the coast of Europe, it was soon transmitted to the countryside through the commercial trade networks (Matthew 154). The first cases of the plague occurred in a European colony called Genoa (Blum, Cameron and Barnes 38). It was "besieged in 1347" by mongols, who flung plague riddled bodies over the walls of Genoa. This was considered "an early form of biological warfare" (Blum, Cameron and Barnes 38). According to Matthews, "Experts could do nothing to cure or explain the plague" (154). The people of this period had no idea what they were dealing with. Even if they had known what caused the plague, their medical technology was almost nonexistent, so they could not have invented a cure (Matthew 154). Though the doctors of the tim...

Post WWII UK science policy and theories of change in science policy - Essay

Post WWII UK science policy and theories of change in science policy - Outline the main features of UK science policy in the dif - Essay Example This essay discusses the key features of science policy under the Thatcher government and during the Blair / Brown administration, as well as point out the contrasts and comparisons between the same. The policies and strategies in today's times have evolved as a consequence of such external factors, and circumstances, which existed prior to the two world wars, and are in stark contrast to the contemporary times. The impact of technological revolution, on the society today, is the result of such policies and political will. The fact that science is an influential tool used for political domination is established through this study. Furthermore it also suggests the manner in which policies and investment in science and technology have changed over the years, in response to the change in structure of government. The increased government spending on research and development of nuclear weapons post the World War II, during the Wilson Labour government (1964-1970) to the shift in investment in industrial research during the Thatcher Major Conservative government (1979 – 1997) and finally to the Blair / Brown government’s (1997 – 2010) emphasis on building a knowledge economy by enhancing the quality of life through wealth creation. This essay discusses the key features of science policy under the Thatcher government and during the Blair / Brown administration, as well as point out the contrasts and comparisons between the same. UK Science Policy Post WWII: The science policy of two governments namely, The Thatcher / Major Conservative Government (1979 – 1997) and The Blair / Brown Labour Government (1997 – 2010) are discussed in this section: The Thatcher / Major Conservative Government (1979 – 1997): Various strategic changes in the science policy were observed during the Thatcher administration. One of the key aims of the Thatcher government was to provide a social environment with minimum possible, moderation on the activities of private industry. The Thatcher government which came to power during the late 1970s saw major investments in science and technology, with a greater emphasis on industrial development. The government focused mainly on development of research fields which had a st rong industrial relevance, resulting in priority funding in this sector. This in turn strengthened the relationship between the private industry, universities and Research councils, which were initially devoid of such funding. One of the fields that were mostly benefited through such extensive funding was: genetic engineering (Wright, 1994). The science policy under this regime was mostly centralized and was subjected to major interference from the government. The key focus was to steer the scientific innovations in a way that could benefit the society, through maximum revenue generation. The main agenda of this administration was to liberate the private enterprises, and reduce state intervention and cuts in public sector spending. Overall reductions in budget were made, in the areas of education and in universities, regardless

The English Legal System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The English Legal System - Essay Example The UK parliament is the sovereign authority of legislation i.e. is responsible for the creation of Acts of Parliament. Before enactment, an Act is referred to as a Bill, both Houses of Parliament have to consider Bills and finally receive the Royal Assent. The most importantly is delegated legislation that is considered as a source of law.The next source of law is case law, the effective creation and refinement of law during judicial decisions: The judiciary main function is interpreting the actual meaning of legislation providing it with further creativity. The final source of law is custom. The common law represents a crystallization of common customs, distilled by the judiciary in the course of its travels round the land. A second possible customary source of law its rules are derived form specific local customs. In the English legal system restraints on judges are that the Judicial decisions are subject to modification by legislation; And the final authority to dismiss a judge r esides in Parliament but this can only be done by the consent of both Houses. However jurisdiction of courts supervises the use of statutory and prerogative powers by government ministers. Moreover "The validity of actions and decisions for which there is no legal authority or source or which are taken in flagrant abuse of the requirements of procedural fairness (natural justice) may be challenged through an application for judicial review." Carroll, a. 2007. In addition There are rules that underpinning judicial independence: By convention ministers do not criticize judges or their decisions - although in recent times some see it can't be applied on parliamentary questions relating to controversial cases. According to the rules of the House of Commons it is forbidden to criticize a judge unless pursuant to a substantive motion for dismissal. It is permitted to propose adverse comment on judicial decisions providing this does not reflect on a judge's character or competence. For explaining the power of precedent Judicial precedent means that judges must follow the rule of law established in the previous decided cases of the court of equal status or higher, if they are of the same legal principle and facts. Judicial precedent is a system of law-making by judges rather than by parliament. The decisions made by the judges, called precedents, are used as models for future cases. This causes certainty due to the prediction of outcome of a case on which applied previous rules of a similar case however due to discretion of judges to make law and over rule precedents and conflicting rules may also produce uncertainty. The precedents of the Higher courts are binding on lower courts and the court structure is hierarchical and the House of Lords is the highest court. With R v R - rape within marriages - wife no longer a property of husband. A court higher up in the hierarchy in a different later case can set aside a legal ruling established in a previous case. Overruling refers to the ratio of a case and not its decision. It has to be emphasized the

English Only Movement in New York State Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

English Only Movement in New York State - Essay Example Senate voted on two separate amendments to make English the national language and to make it the common unifying language of the country. U.S. English, an advocate group for "Official English" summarizes their belief that "the passage of English as the official language will help to expand opportunities for immigrants to learn and speak English, the single greatest empowering tool that immigrants must have to succeed". Even though many states in the United states have passed legislations stating english as official language, New york does not seem to have one yet. Thus, it can be seen that there are several advocates of this movement. However, there are several ill-effects of this on the education of language minority students, besides others. In this essay, we will first examine the ideologies underlying the English-Only movement, then review the consequences of it on the education in New York. The advisability of legislation mandating an official language policy is hardly a new issue, but one that has been debated throughout the history of the United States. Crawford (1992) in his book, Language Loyalties, summarizes the opposing views on this topic, as follows: "For supporters, the case is obvious: English has always been our common language, a means of resolving conflicts in a nation of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious groups. The Reaffirming the preeminence of English means reaffirming of a unifying force in American life. Moreover, English is an essential tool of social mobility and economic advancement. The English Language Amendment would "send a message" to immigrants, encouraging them to join in rather than remain apart, and to government, cautioning against policies which could retard English acquisition. For opponents, Official English is synonymous with English-Only: a mean-spirited attempt to coerce Anglo-conformity by terminating essential services in other languages. The amendment poses a threat to civil rights, educational opportunities and free speech, even in the private sector. It is an insult to the heritage of cultural minorities, including groups whose roots in this country go deeper than English speakers Mexican A mericans, Puerto Ricans, and American Indians. Worst of all, the English-Only movement serves to justify racist and nativity biases under the cover of American patriotism". THE SCENARIO OF EDUCATION IN NEW YORK By the year 2010, over thirty percent of all school-age children will come from homes in which the primary language is not English. Though we tend to think of immigrants settling in primarily urban areas, large numbers of recently arrived families live in rural and suburban communities. In New York City alone, there are more than one hundred languages represented in public school classrooms. The same phenomenon is the norm in many areas of the country. In Rochester, Minnesota schools serve students speaking over 60 different languages. Some of the most common languages spoken by students in these classrooms include Spanish, Korean, Cantonese, Mandarin, and other dialects of Chinese, Haitian-Creole, and Russian. The educational predicament of students of limited English proficiency has been a focus of policymakers and the courts for almost 30 years. According to federal law, and under many state laws, if students cannot participate meaningfully and

Abortion and Religious Aspects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Abortion and Religious Aspects - Essay Example However, the main question is what leads to most of the women in committing abortion. Some of the religious leaders claim that American politics plays a major role in enhancing a great number of women to commit abortion. For example, Mary Meehan claims in a journal published last year that many liberals in America support abortion for political gains (Meehan 1). Meehan illustrates that the liberals claim that women ought to have the right to abort at their will in order to have equality especially in employment (Meehan 16). Apart from politics, religious organizations, for example, the Catholics claim that abortion is a result of poverty, poor health care and unemployment (Cahill 189). Cahill also mentions that these factors also tend to be a major hindrance when the organizations try to curb the act of abortion in the country. However, even after the arguments that occur relating to abortion, religious organizations stand on their main objective that everyone has a right to live (Gardoski 54). Abortion tends to be one of the central aspects of the discussion that emerges especially during the election period. This is because some people support the act by pointing out various reasons while others oppose. However, religious organizations have clearly come out to demonstrate their side on this issue and they totally oppose the act. The main issue that everyone including the government should consider is figuring out the main reasons that lead to abortion in order to curb the activity.

Violence Women Pakistan

Violence Women Pakistan Media briefing: Violence against women in Pakistan Subject: [women-rights] Media briefing: Violence against women in Pakistan Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 18:18:11 +0100 * News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International * 16 April 2002 ASA 33/010/2002 62/02 The government of Pakistan vigorously condemns the practice of so-called honour killings. Such acts do not find a place in our religion or law. Killing in the name of honour is murder and will be treated as such. General Pervez Musharraf, April 2000 Introduction Women in Pakistan are severely disadvantaged and discriminated against. Violence against women in the home and community as well as in the custody of law enforcement officials is on the rise. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) found that in 2000 a woman was raped every two hours, and that hundreds were victims of honour killings, domestic violence, burnings and murder. While a few positive changes have taken place over the last couple of years, the government is still failing to protect women from these abuses. Many cases receive media attention and the involvement of human rights organizations, but they are quickly forgotten. Other women suffer abuses in silence for years, die violent deaths and get buried in unmarked graves. Womens awareness of their rights has increased thanks to the work of Pakistani womens rights groups. However most women remain ignorant of even their most basic rights. A newspaper survey in 2000 reported that almost 90% of women did not realise that they had any rights at all. In its fifth report on women in Pakistan, Amnesty International summarizes the current governments commitments to uphold womens rights, describes cases of abuses in the community, in the home and in custody and the failure of the criminal justice system. The report also sets out recommendations. Family and community Domestic violence, which includes physical abuse, rape, acid throwing, burning and killing, is widespread in Pakistan. Few women would complain under legal provisions relating to physical injury. For those who do take the step, police and the judiciary usually dismiss their complaints and send them back to their abusive husbands. Very poor women, women from religious minorities and women bonded labourers are particularly vulnerable to violence in the community and home. According to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, over 90% of married women report being kicked, slapped, beaten or sexually abused when husbands were dissatisfied by their cooking or cleaning, or when the women had failed to bear a child or had given birth to a girl instead of a boy. Another organization stated that one woman is murdered and one woman is kidnapped in Pakistan every day. ? The case of Shukria On 22 October 2001, Sharif in village Goharpur, Sheikhupura district, Punjab province, tied his wife Shukrias wrists and ankles with rope, poured kerosene over her and with the help of his mother and sister set her on fire. The couple had been married for ten years. As they remained childless, Sharif wanted to marry another woman but Shukria did not agree to this. Neighbours tried to rescue Shukria but she died shortly afterwards in hospital. Women continue to die painful deaths in so-called stove burn accidents in the kitchen. The HRCP estimates that less that 20% of deaths lead to arrests and most suspects are released within days. Acid-throwing is on the increase. Acid burns do not usually kill but result in hideous disfiguration and suffering, destruction of self-esteem, and confine women to the home. The government has done little to restrict the sale of acid or to punish those who use it to injure women. Forced marriage of young girls continues to be reported despite a legal minimum age of 16. While slavery is illegal in Pakistan, girls and women continue to be traded to settle debts or conflicts. In Sukkur in 2000, a six-year-old girl was married to a 60-year-old man when her family was unable to repay a debt. According to newspaper reports the marriage was consummated and the little girl screamed loudly for hours after the rape. A form of forced marriage specific to the interior of Sindh province is the marriage of girls and women to the Quran. This keeps the womans share of property in the family as she will have no children to pass it on to. Human rights organizations report that there are currently over 5000 women married to the Quran in Sindh. Pakistan is both a country of origin and a transit country for the trafficking of women for domestic labour, forced marriage and prostitution. This form of slavery is organized by crime networks that span South Asia. The open sale of girls and women in markets is reported in underdeveloped areas such as parts of Balochistan. Some women, both local and trafficked, are killed if they refuse to earn money in prostitution. Some are forced into prostitution by their husbands. Journalist Sufi Mohammad Khan from Badin, Sindh, was killed on 2 May 2001 after reporting extensively about trafficking in drugs and women in the Tharparkar area of Sindh which happened with the connivance of apathetic authorities. He reported that some 70 women have been kidnapped in Sindh and Punjab, detained by the Arbab feudal family and forced into prostitution. The journalist was bribed and threatened by members of the family. Honour killings Honour killings are carried out by men who assume that their wives, daughters or sisters have in some way contravened norms relating to the behaviour of women which reflect on and damage a mans honour. Often the grounds for such assumptions can be very flimsy and amount to nothing more than a suspicion about a womans fidelity. Men are also known to have felt shamed if their women seek divorce or become the victims of rape. The exact number of honour killings is impossible to ascertain as many go unreported. Media and human rights organizations estimate that three women are murdered each day. In 2000, the HRCP recorded over 1000 honour killings in Punjab alone. Prosecution of honour killings is lax and only a few men have been convicted. In the higher levels of government and the judiciary, honour killings are recognised as a serious problem. The government of Pakistan has condemned honour killings as murder and a seminar in Karachi in April 2001 looked at problems of redress in honour crime cases. However no action has followed and honour killings continue to be reported daily. In December 2000, three brothers overpowered their sister-in-law, Anila, sprinkled kerosene on her clothes and set her on fire in a village near Sukkur when they suspected her of infidelity. Her father rescued her and took her to hospital where, with 85% burns, she died. In early 2001, Mir Afzal cut off the nose of his wife Amroz Khatoon in Karachi as he suspected her of infidelity. He then attempted to kill her but neighbours alerted by the noise interceded. Police arrested the man and his accomplices but Amroz Khatoon has received threats to her life if she pursues her complaint. In March 2001, a 60-year-old widow, Hidayat Khatoon, and 55-year-old Baksh Ali were killed by the widows son in Chandan village, district Sukkur. When the son surrendered to police, he said that he had been teased by villagers over his mothers alleged affair and had therefore killed both. In July 2001, 16-year-old Shoukat Labano in Sukkur district, shot dead his mother Rahima (33) when he suspected her of an affair. Increasingly honour killings involve not only the woman but several other family members. In November 2000, Mohammed Umar Magsi killed his 11-year-old daughter with an axe because he suspected her of having an affair. When his wife and younger daughter tried to intervene, he killed them as well. On 8 January 2001, Riaz Ahmed axed to death his wife, three daughters and two sons, because he suspected his wife of adultery. On 16 January 2002, Jamal threw hand grenades into his father-in-laws house when his wife refused to return to him, killing five of her relatives and injuring eight. The HRCP has observed that increasingly young boys are forced to attack or kill sisters who are opposed to a forced marriage. Afterwards the boys are formally pardoned by their fathers which allows them to go free. The emergence of fake honour killings is a worrying new trend. There is a pattern of men accusing their wives of being dishonourable with wealthy men purely for financial gain. The wife is declared kari (black woman, one who brings shame) and is killed. The suspected man is made to pay off the husband and he is pardoned. In a few cases, women have begun to resist violence in the name of honour. A young woman escaped death when she fought her husband. The local landlord held a jirga (tribal council) which established her innocence and asked the husband to apologise and take her back. Women who marry men of their own choice are often seen to damage their familys honour; they are frequently detained by their parents, forcibly married to someone else, threatened, humiliated, assaulted or killed. If a couple marry in court against the will of their parents, and the parents challenge the union, they can be charged with illicit sexual relations under the Zina Ordinance (which prohibits sex outside marriage). Newly-weds are advised to have their marriage confirmed by a magistrate and seek shelter with friends for some time. In many cases families accept the fact of marriage but sometimes their sense of shame is not appeased. Robina and Khushi Mohammad were killed in May 2000 by Robinas uncle and two brothers over two years after their wedding they had been in hiding but had finally returned to the husbands home. Custodial violence Physical abuse of women in custody continues to be rife in Pakistan. Despite promises of police reform, police continue to use torture to intimidate, harass and humiliate detainees to extract money or information. Women are subjected to gender-specific abuses including sexual harassment, public undressing and parading, and rape. Conditions of detention for women are also of grave concern. State inaction In April 2000, President Musharraf made a range of commitments to protect womens rights. Since then, there have been many positive signals and pronouncements but little effective change. The authorities are often aware of a series of abuses and do not intervene. Some officials prevent women from accessing the criminal justice system and seeking redress. Some court judgments over the past year-and-a-half have adequately protected womens rights while others have treated women as a mans property. This inconsistency indicates that the law is not being equally applied and the gender bias of individual judges is determining whether a woman is protected or not. Police confronted with complaints of domestic violence are known to refuse to register the complaint, to humiliate the victim or to have advised the battered woman to return home. Even the staff of state womens shelters frequently advise women to accept reconciliation and return home. Conviction rates for rape are very low. Police rarely respond adequately as they side with local people with influence who are involved in the crime. Women frequently dont seek redress out of shame but also because of the possibility of being accused of Zina if they cannot establish absence of consent. Recommendations Amnesty Internationals report makes recommendations which are well within the powers of the Government of Pakistan to implement and do not require a huge investment of resources. They do require political will and the determination that violence against women is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. However, underlying the abuses suffered by women is a discrimination perpetuated by society as a whole. In this regard, everyone has a role to play ?government, political parties, religious groups, all elements of civil society and individuals. Everyone has a responsibility to commit themselves to the equality of all human beings, irrespective of gender. The recommendations include: The government should clearly and publicly condemn all acts of violence against women. It should develop policies and disseminate materials to promote womens safety in the home and community and in detention. The government should prohibit all acts of violence against women and establish legal protection. It should review existing laws, including the Zina law and the qisas and diyat law. Investigate all allegations of violence against women and prosecute and punish those found to be responsible. For a copy of the report please visit Report: www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/index/asa330062002