Oh my, it has been awhile

In lieu of not posting in awhile I am going to post double as much this week. The first thing I want to start off with is an article I found while reading CNN world news. I will post the link ahead of my comments so you can read it if you so choose.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/26/world/asia/cnnheroes-afghan-schoolgirls/index.html

This article has been a part of the series "CNN Hero's" and this article is profiling Afghan girls being brave enough to pursue their education. For myself, this is an extremely contentious issue. As a promoter of women's rights, I firmly believe women around the world should be empowered through education and it pains me to hear the horror stories of young girls who are maimed by acid, raped, or worse yet killed because of their yearning for an education. My heart goes out to the young girls who are forced to withdraw from school due to an arranged marriage. The problem that I am having internally is "Where do I let my personal beliefs clash with cultural norms and vice versa" I am empathetic to cultural norms such as arranged marriages but yet I want women to have the right to choose with whom to spend the rest of their lives .I would go so far as to ask, Why must a woman be married at all, why must a marriage define the life of so many women in the Middle East? These questions plague my mind because some of these questions can even be applied here in the United States. Is there still a glass ceiling for women? Why must a woman be married to be successful?

With a background as a United States Citizen, having an education is something I have taken for granted. I cannot even imagine having to worry about my trip to school wondering if I will come home that day or not. This article does have an upside to it, more and more young girls are attending school every year in thanks to organizations such as UNICEF, OXFAM and Save the Children. I want these young girls to gain an education and realize their bright future. I firmly agree with the quote stated by Jan from Save the Children "If true change is to come to Afghanistan, it's crucial to educate the next generation." These children must gain and education to make decisions that are no longer biased and influenced by hatred or cultural misunderstandings. Afghanistan has strong potential and it should be cultivated in this next generation of students so there can be an agenda for positive change.