Syria and Feminism

Many of you all may have heard of what is going on in Syria. For those who have heard of the issue going on but do not know how it started, I will explain.

The issue in Syria started in 2011 when 15 children were arrested and allegedly tortured for making anti-government graffiti. Syrian citizens were outraged at the punishment given to the children so they took to the street to protest. The protests started peacefully and took a turn for the worst. March 18, 2011, the Syrian government opened fire at protesters killing four. The next day, people were mourning the death of peaceful protesters and another one was shot and killed by the government. Naturally, the people are going to be upset that a peaceful protest has turned ugly by the government.

The protesters wanted justice for the 15 children, but had 5 members of their community killed instead. They demanded that their president, President Bashar al-Assad, resign. President Assad refused to resign and offered to change some of the ways the government was being ran. The protesters were not satisfied with that answer and wanted President Assad to resign still. Protesters have turned militant to combat the government.

In August of 2013, there was a chemical attack outside of the Syrian capital Damascus. The Syrian government said that the attack did not come from there. President Barack Obama said that if chemical weapons were used in Syria, it would cause the world to become involved. So far, France, the United States and Britain have become involved. No one knows who caused the chemical attack that killed hundreds.

What does this have to do with feminism?

http://fempopculture.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-syrian-conflict-is-important.html

I follow many feminist accounts on Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, etc. and one day I saw @WomenUnderSiege tweeted linking the viewers to the above link. The writer made three arguments that should be looked at as far as how women, especially poor women in Syria, are concerned in the Syria conflict.

The three points made:
1) More light should be brought to the sexual crimes caused by the conflict in Syria. While the physical and chemical conflict is important, shedding light on sexual crimes can bring help to the women and children who need it. Displaying conflict via media brings attention to certain topics is not being truthful to all that needs attention.

The writer also sheds light on how rape is viewed and taken care of in other countries. In Syria (and many other countries), rape is seen as shame on the woman's behalf. Many times the woman is shamed and made to leave her home leaving her homeless, defenseless and at will to those who can take advantage of her... AGAIN. When the woman could use family to comfort her, medical services and counseling, the woman is turned away from home from something she could not control. More notably, this rape is not only happening in Syria, but also refugee camps.

2) Due to media selection, mostly young males are shown demonstrating and rebelling against the government. Syrian women are also risking their lives and playing a vital part in the Syrian revolution.

3) Lastly, the writer make a point that as well as a lack of Syrian women being shown playing a role in the Syrian revolution, there are also women fighting for the government in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

Have you heard of the issues in Syria in the feminist perspective?