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Breaking the Silence
By: moneymakermj
Posted: Feb 2 10
Witnessed: 39845 times
Regions: Middle East and Caucasus, Yemen
Issues: Racial discrimination, Rape and sexual abuse, Violence against women
Tags: akhdam, discrimination, human rights, violence, Women's rights, Yemen
“Breaking the Silence” chronicles the lives and injustices against the Akhdam women in Yemen. The ‘Akhdam’ , singular Khadem, meaning "servant" in Arabic, are a social group in Yemen, distinct from the majority by their darker skin and African descent. Although they are Arabic-speaking and practicing Muslims, they are regarded as non-Arabs and designated as a low caste group, frequently discriminated against and confined to unskilled and menial labor. In a society already riddled with patriarchy and poverty, the distain and discrimination against the Akhdam renders Akhdam women easy targets of violence and abuse. Akhdam women are subject to hate-based attacks and sexual assaults without any type of legal or social recourse.
This video, produced by Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights and WITNESS, featuring the stories and voices of these three women, Haddah, Qobol, and Om Ali recounting their stories of violence, injustice and forced poverty uncover the legacy of discrimination the ‘Akhdam’ live with daily and the necessity for urgent action against these atrocities.
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Comments
Breaking the silence AkhdAM WOMEN
By yasmin on Mar 17 10
Where are the religious leaders who talks about islam, bastards, I guess they don't see this women as humans. and i am ashamed to call my self Yemeni and i hope this discrimination stops and my support and admiration to these women who spoke out. Well done sisters