Nejoud Al Yagout

When men in the world cannot coexist with women, we are left with tragic stories such as that of Dina Ali, who sought asylum in Australia but was turned back from the Philippines. I salute Dina for awakening to the horrors of a patriarchal system that thrives on subjugating women. But my heart is breaking at the thought that we are helpless when it comes to saving her. There must be a way. There must.

I say no to patriarchy! No. This is unacceptable. We can no longer inhabit a patriarchal matrix where men think they are superior to women, abuse women, veil women, treat women as property and monitor the whereabouts of women. It may have worked in the past, but the world is experiencing a mass awakening. And so, during our shift in consciousness, this is an appeal to all men who disagree with the system in place to speak out, to assist us, to do something - anything - indicating support. So many of you support us, but we need you to make your voices louder. We need you to defend us in the public sphere.

This is no longer about women vs men - this is about human souls taking care of one another; especially, since, in many cases, women in this region are imprisoned or flogged or locked in rooms (at best) for speaking out. So we need you to defend us. Say something!

Men for Dina Ali. Men for women. All women. Everywhere.

We need you now more than ever.

By Nejoud Al-Yagout