Violence Against Women Issues - Essay Example

The most outstanding points of discussion in chapter 2 are dowry murder and honor killings as forms of violence against women. In chapter 2, Burn contends that dowry and honor killings draw their strengths from males’ greater economic and political power and the apportioning of a higher status to men by the society. In chapter 3, some of the most serious points of focus that Burns raises are the agents that control women’s reproductive choices and health. Some of these agents of control include the global economy, the government, and religious organizations’ control over women’s reproductive choices.

Thus, Burn sees the dowry as a subtle signifying of ownership of the man over the woman. This becomes a breeding ground for domestic violence and murder.

            The other factor that underpins honor killings is men’s greater political power. This inordinate concentration of power in the hands of men makes men control institutions and use the same institutions to oppress women who go against the grain. In highly patriarchal and undemocratic societies, men control the instruments of coercion to subject women to honor killings.  

            In chapter 3, Burn contends that the government holds a large sway on women’s reproductive choices through legislation. For instance, many states have legislations that proscribe abortion, while there are others that provide very meager funding for women’s reproductive health. Secondly, Burn states that the global economy undercuts women’s reproductive choices when policies touching on demography and reproduction are mooted and implemented without the consideration of women, who are the child bearers.  

Question 3

            There are several shreds of evidence that Burn uses to underscore her point. For instance, she uses statistical provisions to show how the government can derail the exertion of women’s free will in reproductive matters. For instance, Burn quotes the UN statistics which show that in 2003, there were 35 countries that criminalized abortion under all circumstances (327).

            Burns also relies on publications to show how feminism is treated in the Islamic world, where the Koran is considered as a source of legal code. Feminists, or those who advocate for women’s rights, are seen as apostates or too westernized. The latter assertion is a quotation from Valentine Mogahadham’s 2003 work titled Empowering Women, Developing Society. The use of these peer-reviewed materials makes Burn’s work compelling.  

Question 4

            One of the points that Burn defends well is the state of women in Islamic countries, particularly in Afghanistan, where the Taliban not only controlled swathes of the country but also emphasized strict interpretation of the Koran. In response to Sima Samar, as the Minister for Women’s Affairs, calling for the liberation of women, death threats were forwarded to her. There can be no gainsaying this since this has truly happened.