Death of innocence
It is sad to learn of the gruesome and untimely death of a 12-year-old girl in Yemen due to forced intercourse by her husband (“Rapist husband of dead Yemeni child bride should die: family”, Gulf News, April 12). Imagine the horrors she would have gone through prior to her death. We talk so much about women’s rights and liberties in the modern world while closing our eyes to the fact that little girls are being married off for money. The girls are neither prepared physically nor mentally to withstand the ordeal when their husbands try to consummate the marriage. Such barbaric customs cannot be condoned. It is unfortunate that the highest authorities of a country turn a blind eye to the suffering of these little girls. The parents of the girls should have a responsibility for their own children. The mother is equally to blame for the tragedy. Being a woman she knew exactly what her daughter would have to go through immediately after marriage. It is horrifying to note that it was she who persuaded her daughter to go through with the act to avoid shame and disgrace for her family. It is time all countries stood solidly behind the UN to force a ban on child marriages everywhere.
From Dr Sailendra N. Das
Dubai

Women are far behind
It was truly sad to hear that parents are marrying off girls at the young age of 12. At that age, a girl is just a child and when she is married to a 23-year-old, it is obvious that she will face physical and mental torture. The parents are at fault for getting their child married and the husband is equally at fault for tormenting his young wife. What other outcome was expected of this? While the world progresses in leaps and bounds, such terrifying incidents leave us wondering whether women are still far behind and need more help.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah

Fighting child abuse
It is a very sad thing to happen to a child who is just 12 years old — she hadn’t even entered her teenage years. She has been deprived of life by getting married to someone at such a young age. It is against human rights! Instead of getting her educated and planning for a better future, she gets married and dies a few days after the wedding. Immediate action needs to be taken or else other young girls are going to have a similar fate.
From Ms Mgeni
Dubai

Shame on us
This is really depressing. How can we let [such] things happen to a child? We have robbed her freedom. Her so-called parents apparently didn’t do anything to avoid or fight for their child’s right to choose and live of her own will — shame on us.
From Mr John
Dubai

Women’s rights ignored
I was pained to read about the plight of the unfortunate Yemeni girl. I can’t imagine the agony and horror the poor child must have experienced at the hands of her husband. Does he walk away scot-free, looking for greener pastures to satisfy his cruel hunger, or does he face a final verdict? Is the girl child only meant for breeding and being a toy in the hands of such vicious people? Doesn’t she have the right to dignity, self-respect and the right to make her own decisions? Why does a mother then even take the pains of nurturing her daughter till an appropriate age and then eventually push her towards so much pain? Some sort of strict global law should be implemented for women so that such tyrants feel scared of the consequences of their actions. We think she is just another child. But, tomorrow, it could be someone you know. We as an intelligent human race have to fight against such crimes.
From Ms W. B.
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request

Reckless driving
Recently, I have noticed an increase in the number of traffic violators in the UAE. Reckless driving has become a pastime for young people. They don’t care about themselves or others. Many young people have died in car accidents. They waste their lives in such a rude way instead of using it for the progress of the country. I request young people all over the world to stop such a rash attitude towards driving. Please change your way of driving. Cars are for convenience, not for ending lives.
From Mr Abdul Latif
Sharjah

Research on driving habits
I am part of a sixth grade school group researching safe driving habits. My friends and I find Dubai to be an interesting place to do our research because there are so many bad drivers! We are amazed at how so many people either don’t know the road rules or just don’t care about the safety and lives of others. We hope our research and follow-up action to promote safe driving habits, such as not using mobile phones when driving, help in some small way.
From Ms Hana Gomaa
Dubai

No religion
In reference to a report on attacks in the Philippines, it is not fair to call someone a ‘Muslim’ militant (“16 dead as Muslim militants attack Philippine city”, Gulf News, April 14). When it comes to Islam and Muslims, the media uses this to address them. Please don’t link them with any religion.
From Mr Yaseen Hassan
Dubai