Can any government department tell us how many cases there are of Adhl, male guardians preventing women under their custody from getting married? Can any department tell us how many inheritance cases of women are delayed because of their husbands, fathers or brothers? Can any government department tell us about the financial rights of women which have been frozen or usurped? No one can give us an exact figure about any of these issues. I have been told painful stories by a number of lawyers and former judges about the various kinds of injustice women face, including the confiscation of their money and physical abuse. It is not at all true that our women have obtained all their rights. Women are victims of flagrant injustice due to issues of inheritance, Adhl and violence. What can women do in such cases? Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions for them. The Ministry of Justice has not established a special department to protect women's rights so they are of no help. If women dare to go to the courts, they will have to wait for long years until their cases are settled. Women are being coerced by traditions and by their families. If they go to court to regain their financial rights from their husbands, fathers or brothers, society will crucify them for daring to do so. They will be asked what rights they want when they are already accommodated and supported by their family? The authorities and the family are like a sword pointed at the necks of women to keep them submissive and silent about their rights. It is as if society is openly asking women never to demand or complain. The government should adopt a firm stand to preserve women's financial, moral and psychological rights. The government should not leave women alone to face their destiny without any support. Many women cannot get married because of the Adhl imposed on them by their male guardians. Many others are physically abused without anyone coming to their rescue. Many women are not able to obtain their inheritance because of the chauvinism of their guardians. These are the God-given rights of women, which should not be denied. These are legitimate rights, not temporary gains or gifts given to them by men. The Ministries of Interior, Justice and Commerce should install toll free telephone lines to receive complaints from women about their rights. The officials on the other end of the line should carefully listen to women's complaints and provide them with justice. These officials should be lawyers, or men of law who should deal confidentially with the complaints. We have to admit that we have a real problem when it comes to women's rights. Women are citizens of this country; they must be given equal rights.
