Samar Badawi Takes a Stand

CNN journalists Rima Maktabi and Schams Ewazer reported Samar Badawi's story last Wednesday. Badawi is a 30 year old mother from Jeddah Saudi Arabia that was jailed last year for 7 months. You may be asking yourself what is the reasoning for this? She was jailed for disobeying her father; she disobeyed Saudi Arabia's guardianship laws, which require women to gain permission from their father, husband, brother, or even adult son for to do daily activities. Human Rights Watch reported that Badawi was physically abused by her father from the age of 14, after her mother died of cancer. At the age of 25, she decided to take a stand and ran away to a women's shelter. Her father charged her with disobedience due to her refusal to return to his abuse. In this case, she was charged and imprisoned for 7 months. Badawi got a ruling to transfer her guardianship to her unlce, and filed a suit against her father's refusal to allow her the right to marry; She was released last year after an online campaign. Badawi states, "I came out victorious and was very proud of myself that I was able to handle those seven months. It wasn't easy. When I was alone, I would remember the injustice from my father, from the judge who was horrible to me, and the society that didn't spare me." She does not ask for changes within the laws, but asks for better awareness. she states, "Our laws are fair. Very fair, It not for the law, I would not have been able to escape the difficult situation I was in. The problem is that there is no legal culture here. Women here are from various backgrounds, aren't aware of rights, there is no awareness."
Badawi was presented with an International Women of Courage award by U.S First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton on March 8, 2012. This award is presented anually to women who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights. In Saudi Arabia, Women's rights is a very controversial topic, and there are a range of views, both from men and women.
Maktabi and Ewazer, use pathos to connect with their targeted audience (women). These journalists outlined their story heavily with details, which helps the readers connect to Badawin and become aware how severe this was and is in the Middle East. However, I wanted to know more about the online campaign. I had no idea what that meant or is. These journalists successfully share Badawin's story, while creating awareness of women's oppression in the Middle East and they teach that women are capable for standing up for themselves.