While you read these lines, more than 30 women in the United Kingdom will be subjected to beating or some other form of violence by their husbands. A national society has been set up in Britain with the aim of giving protection to women who suffer violence at home. The society has undertaken campaigns which condemn violence against women demanding an end to it.
Tony Blair’s wife is a staunch supporter of the society and while serving as its secretary-general, she supported a nationwide media campaign. She says violence involving man and wife is the worst kind.
Various studies have shown that one out of every four women in Britain is subjected to physical violence and one woman falls victim to violence in every three days while every 20 seconds a family disaster takes place. One 35-year-old British woman confessed recently that her family life for the past 20 years had been hell. She left her home, saying: “I made up my mind to leave after thinking for a long time and after making several efforts to patch up the differences between my husband and me. But every effort was bound to fail. The night on which I left, we had a violent quarrel. He hit me in the face and kicked me in the stomach and the back.”
Before the marriage she led a quiet life with her parents, brothers and sisters and very seldom quarreled with anyone. “When I met Paul for the first time 25 years ago, I had a very happy and successful social life. I was attracted by his quiet nature and lack of arrogance but everything changed after the honeymoon. He found silly reasons to pick quarrels with me on every subject. He also raised his voice and the frequency of quarrels increased and turned nasty with kicks and blows. I thought of complaining to the police several times but I was ashamed. Since we had children, I wanted to settle things quietly between us but he did not have any willingness to change.
“Though it was hard to take the decision to divorce Paul, I did it when I finally realized that living with him was impossible. After the divorce, my former husband went to a psychiatrist for treatment over a long period. He often came to see the children. I began a new life, learning from previous mistakes so that I do not repeat unpleasant experiences. What makes me happiest, however, is the knowledge that I am once again in control of my freedom and my life.”
In some cases, you see, divorce is not so bad.
I received a letter from Manal, age 23, who graduated recently with a university degree in history and Islamic studies. She says in her letter that she wonders why I don’t write about the problems facing female university graduates who cannot find a job compatible with their identity and enhancing their sense of being Saudi.
“Jobs are available for a payment these days but the price is too high,” Manal wrote. Although she and her father could easily afford a bribe, they refuse to resort to such things. Manal asks how she can get a job fairly and squarely and how she can serve her country. She wonders about equality in job opportunities. “Am I going to remain jobless for many more years? I have already wasted two years. Who is responsible for this inconvenience?” Manal wrote in conclusion.
Manal is, of course, only one case in point. The problem is bigger than that. Unemployment is a problem in many countries, both developed and underdeveloped. Given the present technological advances which replace men with machines, the problem is growing worse. A single computer, for example, may be able to do the job once done by 20 people.
Globalization and free trade will certainly increase the numbers of the jobless. More developed and hence more productive countries will invade the less developed ones with superior products so that the economies of underdeveloped countries may collapse. If I were in Manal’s shoes, I wouldn’t waste my time waiting for a government job. I would instead start as soon as possible with some business project that can grow and prosper year by year.