In many Middle Eastern countries, the legal concept of adultery is very board and not limited to sexual activity: a young girl or woman can be stoned to death for commiting "adultery" for smiling, holding hands with, or cooking for a man who is not her husband.
But regardless of where you stand on the death penalty, the question I now ask is this: if a young girl smiles at a young boy, or, if a woman is raped, does she deserve to be stoned to death while her rapists go free?In some corners of the world many would still say, "yes."
Here is a list of organizations, that would say, "no."
1. 50 Million Missing
A global campaign to raise awareness about female genocide in India, and to lobby the government to effectively enforce existent laws to end this genocide. According to their website:
- 25,000+ women are killed in India every year in dowry related murders.
- 1-2 million unborn girls are selectively eliminated each year.
- Thousands of new born girls drowned, strangled or poisoned.
- In the age group of 1-5 years old, 40% more girls than boys die due to starvation and neglect.
- One pregnant woman dies every 5 minutes as thousands of women are forced into repeated abortions to reduce the population of newborn baby girls.
2. Amnesty International
A nonprofit agency that applies political pressure and various peaceful campaign tactics against countries throughout the world (including the United States.) Amnesty International focuses on a wide array of human rights, including abolishing the death penalty, human trafficking, false arrests and imprisonment, etc.
3. Change.org on Women's Rights
Start a petition on Change.org, or sign an existing one to help foster social awareness about specific human, social, and animal rights issues.
4. Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women
In 2007, the Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women (SKSW Campaign), was launched to end the relentless misuse of religion and culture to justify the killing, maiming and torture of women as punishment for violating the imposed ‘norms’ of sexual behaviour.
"The Campaign is not against any culture, religion or faith. We believe in promoting the positive, inclusive values and discourses that are part of our cultures. What we seek to challenge and oppose is the legitimacy given to legal, religious and cultural systems that either promote or mitigate discrimination and violence against women and girls."
5. International Committee Against Stoning
A multi-nation organization that offers news and online submission of letters protest to stoning deaths around the world.
6. Women's Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran (WFAFI)
The Women's Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran (WFAFI) is committed to promoting a greater awareness of the challenges women face living under fundamentalist regimes such as that of Iran.
"Our tasks range from raising public awareness, conducting research projects and initiating outreach programs -- to policy discussions and analysis. We firmly believe the political presence, participation and leadership of women are instrumental to achieving social, political and economic equality."
7. Women Living Under Muslim Law
Women Living Under Muslim Laws is an international solidarity network that provides information, support and a collective space for women whose lives are shaped, conditioned or governed by laws and customs said to derive from Islam.
For more than two decades WLUML has linked individual women and organizations. It now extends to more than 70 countries ranging from South Africa to Uzbekistan, Senegal to Indonesia and Brazil to France.
