first report from istanbul

First Report From Istanbul

I have been here for three days now..two days of meetings with a

fantastic diverse group of women activists from around the world,

including a significant number of women under 30.

The discussions have been lively and intense. There are only three

women here from the U.S., and I must admit to feeling at times like I

should be apologizing for US policies. It is clear that evangelical

far right groups in the US are having an impact around the world on

women,s rights.

I am very aware of how privileged I am in this context. People may

hate what my work and ministry stands for, but I do not face the

threat of physical violence and even imprisonment that some of my

sisters here have faced. I can travel freely, speak freely, offer my

beliefs freely, make my own sexual decisions without fear of state or

fundamentalist reprisal. Those are freedoms that feel stark,as I

listen to women from other countries talk about threats and attacks.

Speaking of which, I hope you will take a moment to respond to the

prison sentence and flogging imposed on the 19 year old Saudi woman as

punishment for being gang raped. I am surprised that I have not read

or seen any official US or US religious response to this story which

is being featured prominently on both CNN and BBC news here. If you

want background on how to respond, visit the Amnesty International or

Women Living Under Muslim Law web sites.