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Naomi Kanakia's avatar

Well-written and very clear, specific--it's the sort of honest writing that makes this magazine worth reading.

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Shawna Ayoub's avatar

Thank you so much, Noami.

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sallie reynolds's avatar

I will always grieve for the women trapped by the earthquake, the ones the men won't rescue because they are not allowed to touch women. "Let them die rather than commit the sin of touching a woman." They are waiting for the women diggers to free them. The women medical helper, where are they? The Taliban does not allow women to study medicine. I grieve over them, the bones of our sisters.

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Shawna Ayoub's avatar

Our collective grief.

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sallie reynolds's avatar

Yes. Our sisters.

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sallie reynolds's avatar

What makes me cry is not their death - we all die. But the disregard, that they are nothing, in such a moment, except a shadow of men.

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Stacia F's avatar

The honesty here, the willingness to dilate the small experiences of withholding, diminishing, holding down that by themselves might appear to be small, but in sum, become an abusive relationship, is courageous and critical to understanding abuse dynamics. To understanding, specifically, how marriages with men can isolate and entrap women. Thank you for sharing, for being real, for being brave enough to leave and report back from the other side that seems so unattainable for so many. I'm so glad you made it, friend! <3

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Shawna Ayoub's avatar

Well wow. Thanks for this. 😭

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