Change the perception of women in society
There are many countries in the world that are unsafe for women (“Disrespect for women is a worldwide crisis”, Gulf News, August 14). That does not mean we, as Indians, should close our eyes to such issues in our country. The key really is to change the overall perception of the contribution of women in a male-dominated society, along with creating respectful relationships, which include equal partnership, starting with our own homes. Women should be given the liberty to make free choices, including the freedom of selecting life partners. We can comment about the world, but if we don’t start the good work at home, not only India but many subcontinent countries will remain backward when it comes to women empowerment.
From Mr Ajay Bhatia
Dubai
Never truly safe
Why are we focused on one country? No country is truly safe for women, in my opinion. This includes my beloved Pakistan, where honour killing and keeping women under tight control are part of the norm. My appeal to all my people, let’s solve our problems first and clean our mentality before calling other nations out on what’s happening there. Remember, when we point one finger at another, four fingers will point back at us.
From Mr Saif Nadeem Baloch
Quetta, Pakistan
Blame people’s mentality
So much of the world is not safe for women. What a woman wears has nothing to do with rape. Rape is an act of violence that targets women regardless of what they are wearing. It is ignorant, entitled men who think they should tell women what to wear and do that causes misogyny in this world. Rape is caused by people’s mentality and rapists, not by clothes, religion, ethnicity or where a woman was or who she was with.
From Ms Faye Ratcliffe
UAE
Facebook comment
Teach them about respect
Education is key here. I think everyone, especially boys, should be educated about respect and moral upbringing by their parents from a very young age. Females are continually blamed for things, such as the way they dress. As Ms Faye Ratcliffe mentions, rape is caused by rapists!
From Ms Maxene Dodds
UAE
Facebook comment
Education and jobs
All over the world, safety and security for humans is at risk, with rising occurrences of wars and poverty. Why talk about women in India alone? Basic discipline and good education will lead a society to goodness. Let’s find a way to create education and jobs for all, these crimes will automatically go down and everyone will be safe.
From Ms Krishna Kumari
UAE
Facebook comment
Don’t make excuses
Let’s not blame the rest of the world. India needs to fix itself. Don’t simply try to shift the blame or problem. Both India and Pakistan are at risk for women and the leadership and men in general are to blame. It’s absurd to use culture as an excuse to abuse women.
From Mr Randall Mohammad
Dubai
Focus on content
After reading this report, I realised that they’re calling the viewers shallow with such a decision (“Egyptian women TV anchors told to lose weight”, Gulf News, August 15). They’re implying that their viewers are not interested in what the presenters have to say, but are just focused on how they look. Maybe to spruce up your show you should fire your writers? Oprah was never thin, yet she has and is one of the most watched women on talk shows, movies and interviews.
From Ms Annie O’Farrell
UAE
Facebook comment
Delivery of news
We have a plus size news anchor in the Philippines, but we have no problem with her size. In fact she is one of the multi-awarded and most trusted news presenters in the country. We watch her for her delivery of the news and not for her figure and size.
From Mr Drew Mayores Villafuerte
Philippines
Facebook comment
Get rid of all loopholes
I hail India and UAE’s movement to protect blue collar workers’ legitimate rights with reference to the salaries offered to them and actually paid to them (“New system to ensure workers are not cheated”, Gulf News, August 15). It is important and critical that the Indian embassy officials come forward to randomly check the salaries of people. They could perhaps ensure that the employers upload salary slips of the workers into the system before new emigration clearance approvals are processed. Often what is mentioned in the labour contract is not what is paid to employees. Workers who are in need of a job accommodate these as paper formalities. It is high time India woke up to the difficulties faced by this economically challenged section of the country’s population. Indian embassy must visit some of the accommodation and food facilities provided to workers by some companies, too. The offer letter given to the recruiting agent could be different from the offer letter generated through the eMigrate online portal. Though candidates sign the eMigrate generated offer letter where the salary is high, they might end up coming to work for much lesser pay. The embassy must ensure that all loopholes are shut to protect the workers’ rights.
From Mr Binu Prasad
Abu Dhabi
Lost opportunity
This new law is not right (“Cannes bans full-body ‘burkini’ swimsuits from beaches”, Gulf News, August 13). In my opinion, the burkini is the one opportunity for many women to enjoy a swim. Where are they going to hide anything? The authorities in Cannes need to reconsider their decision.
From Ms Cathy Burn
Durban, South Africa
Facebook comment
No need to condemn
I don’t see anything wrong with this law. If you know you cannot follow the rules of a foreign country, then you need to stay in your own country and obey your own rules. There is no point in fighting or condemning people, because we are not the same or believe in the same thing. We need to live a life of peace and respect every country’s rules. Before visiting a certain country, we need to always check the rules of the land. And if you feel comfortable with them, then continue with your visit. Otherwise, don’t go there.
From Mr Adetoro Emmanuel Olayinka
UAE
Facebook comment
Go somewhere else
I agree with Mr Adetoro Emmanuel Olayinka, don’t travel to those countries where they don’t accept your religious or cultural beliefs. There are many other beautiful places to enjoy. Let Western culture move on with their own comfort, don’t create trouble for yourself.
From Ms Afshan Usman
UAE
Facebook comment
Fuel to a fire
I think this decision is like extinguishing a fire with a lighter. Nothing else will fuel the extremist groups’ ideologies more than the proof that the West hates anything Islamic.
From Mr Marek Fronc
Bahrain
Facebook comment
A part of Olympic history
Congratulations to Joseph Schooling, a 21-year-old from Singapore who won the gold medal in the 100m butterfly to become the first ever Olympic champion in Singapore (“Schooling gives Phelps butterfly lesson”, Gulf News, August 14). He is said to have met Michael Phelps when he was just 13 years old in a swimming pool in Singapore while training for the Beijing Olympics. For Schooling, Phelps was his idol and now he has beat him. This shows his hard work and determination. This is something great and a proud moment for Singapore as well as Schooling and is now a part of Olympic history to remember. I’m glad Gulf News published his photograph on the front page as it will definitely inspire readers.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
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