International Videoconference: Launching the Women's Rights in the Middle East Project, Spring 2014

We were delighted to organize our first international videoconference (via skype) with our partner Raya from the Women Lawyer's Group of the Middle East.

Students selected their research topics -- from honor killings in Jordan to rape victims in the UAE to human trafficking in Iraq and divorce law in Israel -- and had the opportunity to introduce themselves to Raya.

Now we will prepare the research groups -- and each group will be partnered with a woman attorney from the country they are studying.

Reunited with Raya....virtually. Very much looking forward to collaborating with the Women Lawyer's Group again this semester.

Each student had the opportunity to introduce himself/herself and research topic to Raya

Women and Law, Spring 2014

For scheduling reasons, we did not run this project for Fall 2013. But we are on track for students to conduct research on various topics related to women's rights in the Middle East during the Spring 2014 semester in Women and the Law.

Stay tuned for updates throughout the semester!

Planning for Fall 2013! Women and the Law

I was thrilled that when I was in London for a conference, my colleague from the Women Lawyers Group of the Middle East was in London as well. 

We were able to meet up for dinner one evening.

Planning is underway for Fall 2013!

We will organize a similar comparative legal research project focusing on Women's Rights in the Middle East in conjunction with my Women and the Law class.

Muslim Engagement at the State Department

Just two days after the tragic attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, I was in Washington, DC participating in briefings on outreach to the Muslim world and an Eid al-Fitr reception at the State Department.

The briefings, "Inspired to Engage: Stories of Muslim Engagement at the State Department," were facilitated by Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith.

The panel included 8 speakers who "have been inspired by the Secretary's vision to reach out to Muslim communities around the world to bring Muslim voices to the table, build bridges between communities, promote cooperation between young Muslim leaders overseas and their American counterparts, and bring about change in their communities."

After President Obama delivered his "New Beginning" speech at Cairo University in June of 2009 (click here for the speech New Beginnings speech ), Farah Pandith was appointed and her office launched initiatives to build relationships with Muslims around the world.  (For more see http://www.state.gov/s/srmc/index.htm )

The speakers included Mohamed Ali, a founding member of Generation Change Somalia, spoke about youth leadership development and training he is organizing in Mogadishu. 

Humera Khan spoke about her Viral Peace program, using social media training designed to prevent radicalization and violent extremism in the American Muslim community through engagement and empowerment. 

Andrew Rabens, Special Advisor for Youth Engagement at the State Department, spoke about his work on youth engagement initiatives with 18 posts in the Middle East and North Africa. (We had first met at the ACYPL summit in Amman back in December.)  See the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website, http://exchanges.state.gov/ , for more information about these and other exchange programs.

Following the briefings, I attended an Eid al-Fitr reception in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.  Secretary Clinton introduced the Libyan Ambassador to the United States, Ali Suleiman Aujali, who spoke briefly. He offered heartfelt condolences to the United States over the loss of Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Secretary Clinton delivered powerful remarks about the need for religious freedom and toleration. 

"She asked the crowd to work towards building a world where if one person commits a violent religious act, millions of people will stand up and condemn it.

"'We can pledge that whenever one person speaks out in ignorance and bigotry, ten voices will answer,'  Clinton said forcefully. "They will answer resoundingly against the offense and the insult; answering ignorance with enlightenment; answering hatred with understanding; answering darkness with light.'

"The secretary urged the audience not to be discouraged by the hatred and violence that exists, but instead resolve to do something tangible to promote religious tolerance in their own communities.

"'In times like these, it can be easy to despair that some differences are irreconcilable, some mountains too steep to climb; we will therefore never reach the level of understanding and peacefulness that we seek, and which I believe the great religions of the world call us to pursue, 'she reflected. 'But that's not what I believe, and I don't think it's what you believe… Part of what makes our country so special is we keep trying. We keep working. We keep investing in our future,' she said."  (See yahoo news article  for more about the speech)

Later Ms. Pandith recognized three of the leaders from the Generation Change program, who elaborated on their projects.

I appreciated the opportunity to network with others interested in civic engagement, the use of social media to affect positive change, and outreach to the Muslim world.

In 2002 I  traveled to Egypt and Morocco as a delegate with the American Council of Young Political Leaders. More recently, I participated in an ACYPL alumni summit in Amman, Jordan in December.

It was in Jordan that I made a connection with the Women Lawyer's Group of the Middle East.  During the Spring semester, my Constitutional Law students conducted comparative legal research on Women's rights in the Middle East.  Students were partnered with an attorney from the group (practicing law in one of the 7 countries my students were researching), who mentored them as they pursued their project.  See older posts on this blog for more information about the Women Lawyers Group, the research project assignment, and the students' research findings.

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.

Videoconference, Presentation of Research Papers

Students presented the findings of their research papers with the seminar and received feedback from our class Mentor from the Women Lawyers Group, who joined us from Abu Dhabi via skype on my iPad.

USF World Faculty Spotlight

USF World (see http://global.usf.edu/ for more information about USF's international programming and initiatives) recently featured me in the Faculty Spotlight.


See this link for the full story:

http://global.usf.edu/wordpress/?p=2242


Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan
April 10, 2012

Pursuing new avenues to bring the international perspective to her classroom, Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, Associate Professor of Political Science at St. Petersburg, is successfully helping her students travel to Moldova and the United Arab Emirates without leaving Tampa Bay.

In 2010, McLauchlan was awarded a Fulbright grant to the Republic of Moldova in Eastern Europe to work on her project entitled “U.S. Constitutional Law and Judicial Process.” The project gave her the opportunity to rethink how she teaches students about the American court system. “It was a phenomenal experience for me. You don’t always realize all of the assumptions that you take for granted. I had the opportunity to question and to reflect on those assumptions when teaching American government and politics to a foreign audience. This has positively impacted how I approach teaching law and politics with my U.S. students since my return home.”

Collaborating with a colleague at the Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (USM), McLauchlan conducted a joint, 10-week project between her Women & the Law class at USFSP and graduate students in American Studies at USM. Students worked on group projects related to human trafficking in the U.S. and in Moldova through Skype videoconferences, email and Facebook, learning first-hand from each other the similarities and differences in the legal system in each country. Through the use of technology and real-time communication, students discussed readings, attended guest lectures by NGO representatives and Peace Corps volunteers in Moldova as well as prosecutors, law enforcement officials and non-profits in Tampa Bay. Students at both universities were also required to participate in an online videoconference to present their research findings, hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau. In 2012, McLauchlan and her Moldovan counterpart, Dr. Svetlana Suveica, presented their research on the success of an internationally linked course curriculum at the American Political Science Association Teaching and Learning Conference in Washington, DC.

The success of her first internationally linked class was only the beginning. Shortly after her visit to Amman, Jordan in December 2011 as a Delegate to a Middle East Summit, McLauchlan partnered with an attorney in Abu Dhabi, Raya Abu Gulal and the Women’s Lawyers Group of the Middle East. Through this partnership, she connected students in her Civil Liberties and Civil Rights class at USF St. Pete to experts in women’s rights issues in six different Middle Eastern countries under the mentorship of the Women’s Lawyers Group.

Recently, Dr. McLauchlan received two more grants to support her international research and her work on internationalizing the curriculum. Awarded a grant this Spring by the European Union Center for Excellence, McLauchlan will use the funds to support a project in her public law courses concerning the European Court of Justice. In addition, she will travel to Moldova as a returning Fulbright this summer to work on a research project on the impact that the European Court of Human Rights’ decisions have on legal change in Moldova. While there, she will also finalize logistics for an alternative Spring Break Study Abroad program she is planning for 2013.

For current information on Dr. McLauchlan’s international projects, visit

www.jainmoldova.blogspot.com

http://womensrightsinmiddleeast.blogspot.com/