Failed Women

“The revolution that failed women” and “Association of African women for research and development” provide examples of how women reacted to their government and society. “The revolution that failed women” clearly points out that the Islamic women revolted against the government because they were being forced to wear a veil. Saying “they only need to find a husband” (doc 99, 405) and there was no need for them to have an education. In “Association of African women for research and development”, the women in Africa were so accustom to their barbarous ways from an older age they did not realize the affects it had taken on their society. The AAWORD was created to enlighten African women but it reveals that even Africans who oppose the practice resent Western interference.
“The revolution that failed women” was written by a Solidarity committee member, Zand Dokht in 1981. The author wrote this document explaining how Khomeini took away the freedom of Islam women. The author
also states that Shah, the previous Islamic ruler, failed. This document was dedicated to the protection of woman’s rights in Iran. “Association of African women for research and development” was written by the AAWORD, which was founded in 1977. The purpose of this document was to make African women realize how tragic their traditions have been and convince those women to stop the genital mutilation in their society.
The audience in “The revolution that failed women” was to the readers of the pamphlets and newsletters published by the Iranian Woman’s Society in England. The Iranian Woman’s Society wanted to make the readers realize the struggle woman had for freedom under the power of Khomeini. The author points out that they can account for 100,000 women government employees being sacked as they resisted the order of the revolutionary government when it was demanded of them to put a veil on. (doc. 99, 405) This was the type of evidence the author used in her publication. The audience in “Association of African women for research and development” was intended for the African women. The AAWORD wanted the women if Africa to stop the genital mutilation of their people because it was affecting their society in a negative way. “Although all these reactions rightly criticize the campaign against genital multination as imperialist and paternalist, they remain passive and defensive.” (doc. 100, 408) The women of Africa did not approve of western imperialism.
“The revolution that failed women” was written in 1981 but there are many clues to date when this document was created.
You can look up the history of the Iranian Woman’s Solidarity group or the dates in which Khomeini was in power. In today’s society, men and women are treaded equal; it is against the US constitution for women to be treated less equal to men. By this event and many other similar events, society as a whole has progressively moved forward by learning from past events. “Association of African women for research and development” was written in 1977 but there are many clues to date when this document was created. The most obvious way to date this document is to look up when the AAWORD was created. Genital mutilation still occurs today in many third world countries and various types of religion. It is not common in the United States or in popular religions. This particular act was ingrained in the African civilization and is so deep rooted the women didn’t realize the negative
effects.
In “The revolution that failed women”, what surprised me the most was how Khomeini had this mentality of creating an ideal nation but with the sacrifice of freedom. The only reason he won was because Shah’s attempt to reform was not good enough and the women were dissatisfied and had benefited little from him. Dokht did not make it clear as to what Shah did or didn’t do or should have done. In the “Association of African women for research and development”, what was not clear was the women did not want to change their customs nor did they want western influence. The author makes it clear that the AAWORD tried to help enlighten the African women by stating the negative affects it had on the African society.
In “The revolution that failed women”, Dokht wanted to make people realize how and why the women of Islam had lost their freedom. In “Association of African women for research and development”, the AAWORD wanted to help the African women but was having a hard time doing so. Both authors had the similar intentions, they both wanted to enlighten the Islamic and African women. The difference in authors is that Dokht is an Iranian woman and has firsthand experience. The AAWORD is an organization that wants to help the African woman but they do not have firsthand experience, meaning they don’t realize how strong the African beliefs are.