Fighting for rights

Congratulations to Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege who have both won the Noble Peace Prize for 2018. Both have worked hard to end sexual violence, which is being used as a tool during wars, across the globe. Murad is a survivor and former sex slave who escaped from her tormentors. She was bold enough to place the case before the world and it is for us to decide how to safeguard our women from being tortured. Yazidi or not, a woman has a right to live in this world without being enslaved and used as a commodity. For us to react, the religion of the woman should be the least of our concerns and their safety should be our primary one. No religion supports terrorism or encourages brutality and inhuman acts.

Let us all unite and voice our protest against these dreadful acts which have had serious physical and psychological impact on its victims.

Let Murad’s courage get transformed into a movement, giving more courage to all women who are subject to abuse, irrespective of geographical boundaries. The world should unite to this cause.

At the same time, we have seen the #MeToo campaign that had gained momentum in the last year. Recently, Dr Christine Blasey Ford spoke about an incident that took place years ago. She highlighted what happened to her on an international platform.

Actresses including Padma Lakshmi have disclosed their sexual harassment stories and come forward with the truth. Let this campaign end the assault being faced by women all across the world.

■ The reader is a resident of Dubai.