Abstracts: Student Research Projects

Egypt:

Sexual Harassment in Egypt: A brief outlook on sexual Harassment in Egypt 

Autumn Tinsley

It is 2012 and sexual harassment in Egypt is still prominent. Government forces in Egypt do not take proper steps in handling sexual harassment, whereas in the United States this issue is not taken lightly.   Ninety percent of women living in Egypt can testify to being assaulted or harassed during their lifetime and ninety-eight percent of  foreign visitors have been victims of sexual harassment. This paper outlines the differences in Egypt and the United States dealing with sexual harassment.

Iraq:

Iraq and the US: Human Trafficking and the Law   Tom Towzey

This paper gives an overview of human trafficking in Iraq and the United States. It outlines what the situation is in the two nations, and how their governments handle it. The paper compares the laws in both countries, and gives a special attention to the constitutions of each nation. Notably, the Iraq constitution specifically bans human trafficking, but Iraq’s government has not enforced this clause. Why is a constitutional guarantee insufficient for combating human trafficking? Why has Iraq’s government been so ineffective at combating this problem?

Iraq: Human Sex Trafficking   Theo Wolf

Since the United States military occupation of Iraq, human sex trafficking has surfaced as a major issue both for the women living there and advocates of women’s rights in the Middle East.  Recently, an updated Constitution of Iraq that has been passed has outlawed human sex trafficking of any kind and furthering this protection are certain articles of the Penal Code Number 111 of 1969 as amended to 2010.

Reforms are suggested by comparing those protections to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 passed in the United States as means to increase the rights for women and aid the victims in Iraq.

Israel:

The Plight of the Israeli Women   Elizabeth Buchwalter

The paper focuses on Israeli laws concerning marriage and divorce.  There are many bars on marriage and gets (divorce) for women, specifically.  Family law is run by religious law, and civil marriages and gets are recognized, but not given in Israel.  Those laws that would prevent both men and women from marriage may be essentially dismissed by the Rabbinate, but only for men.  This creates the problem of “agunot,” women who are anchored to men, which plagues modern Israel.  Without receiving a get, a woman may not be independent from her husband, while he is able to remarry.  This often leads to extortion on behalf of these agunot.  I have suggested reform.  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights should amend Article 16 to remove religion as a limitation to be married.  A civil court for family law should also be put in place to provide the option to avoid religious courts and the rabbiante.

Israel: Marriage Laws and Civic Injustice   Andrew Stoddard

Israel is a democratic, secular, Jewish state located in the Middle East. Though it is a secular state, Jewish law reigns over civil engagements, most commonly marriage. The laws have forced many to travel abroad for their marriage to be allowed.  The laws prohibit divorced women to remarry or those who were born out of wedlock. Natural born Israelis who are prohibited from re-marriage because of Orthodox laws is a violation of Israeli civil liberties.  This paper examines the laws that prohibit marriage and explore their injustices.

Jordan:

The Acceptance of Honor Killing in Jordan   Eli Dioso

Women of Jordan do not have the same opportunities as the women of the United States. Some women of the Middle East are treated as property, and a percentage of Jordanian women are frequently accused of wrongdoings that lead them to become victims of honor killings. Unfortunately, females do not have to be caught in the act and many are killed on the simple accusation of misconduct.

Jordan: Honor Killings   Victoria Taylor

Women rights lawyers and groups are working hard to break the demeaning past of Jordan. The basic human and civil rights of Jordanian women are being violated largely in part of the patriarchal status quo of the family units.  There is a need of social-legal and political reform to stop the practice of honor killing in Jordan’s Muslim society.

Jordan: Honor Killings and Domestic Violence   Melissa DePasquale

The paper identifies the need for democracy but explains the manner in which Jordan monitors civil society as an instrument of state control oppresses half of the population.  As the mix and misuse of the Islam religion and Tribal traditions allows for the repression of their women by means of domestic violence and honor killings, the research aims to identify what constitutes honor crimes, the place honor holds in the Islam society and the need to protect women’s honor.  It also explains the role of Islam pertaining to the Qur’an and Shari ‘ah law and why a large percentage of Jordanians support honor crimes. 

Tunisia:

Tunisian: An African Nation   Ron Smith

Tunisia is an African Nation that went through a revolution. With a new government in power, they are looking to make a new Constitution that is not influenced by Islamic Law. Women and Children are granted more rights than most other Islamic countries and is probably the most liberal. Though it has a long way to go, they seem to be heading in the right direction

United Arab Emirates:

United Arab Emirates: The Rape Right’s Silenced   Crystin Bickhardt

Seven Middle Eastern states combining to form the United Arab Emirates collectively share the same view point of rape: one of a taboo subject. It is not just illegal for the assaulter or rapist, but for the victim as well. As it is a crime to be raped, many refuse to come forward to report their assault. In the Muslim culture, honor plays a significant role in the reason for the “swept under the rug” attitude.

The United Arab Emirates: Prosecution, Rape Laws, and the Patriarchal Control of Women’s Rights   Lindsey E Giancola

Though Americans view the United Arab Emirates as an oasis of culture, wealth, and excitement, female Emirati citizens know all too well about the cost of such a luxurious oasis. Women in the UAE have a very limited amount of rights that govern the way of life, including laws of adultery and rape.  Unbeknownst to tourists, visitors are subject to the same rules and regulations that govern Emirati women; unfortunately many have experienced what UAE women face on a daily basis.

Comparative Legal Research in the Area of Women’s Rights In the United States and the United Arab Emirates     Jessica Scott

This research paper highlights the United States' attempt to alleviate the number of criminal acts of violence against women and to protect and help women recover from incidences like rape and sexual assault, as well as important Supreme Court cases.  The second part of the essay aims to understand why the UAE's Constitution is written with many provisions of human rights, but overall, there is a lack of laws to prevent crimes against women.

Yemen:

The Political and Social Struggle for Women’s Rights in Yemen    Gregory Almeida

Through my research I found that Yemen is probably the most abusive country in terms of women’s rights. Not only are women denied many of the rights of citizenship in Yemeni society, but also they are also systematically marginalized through a culture of patriarchy that permeates every aspect of civil society. There are several measures, however, that the United States and other countries can take in order to help foster democracy and equal rights for women in the country. Now is that the former President has been removed from office and a new constitution is in the making, this is the best chance for women in Yemen to fight for their full inclusion as civilized people in Yemeni society.