Good for her! Stand up for yourself, make a difference and she did. No more child marriages. Amen

In my opinion its not good child marriage . The girls they must grow and need to understand them self what is marriage and why it is necessary to do. Best thing is to give proper education which will make her more conscious what is life and what I need do and what not to do.

Bravo to Yemen for outlawing this. It feels encouraging that countries are taking these steps to outlaw something that has been accepted for so long, just like Egypt outlawed female genital mutilation.

She's a brave girl.
It's so sad though. Although she's only 10, you can in her eyes that she's aged inside.

Maybe her eyes disclose she's aged, Jenny – but they also show an extraordinarily powerful spirit. We haven't heard the last from Nujood Ali.

The parliament's opinion is brave and a very important tool for Yemenis. I hope that it can contribute of the tough struggle of other women of Middle East.

Saudi Arabia and others still allows child marriages. Arent they pedophil States? Why Onu dont throw thwm out? Why CIA is not running after them?

10yrs old ! What wrong with these men?

These forced marriages between children and old pedofiles are no news, anyone with an open mind has known this for thousand of years. But to make this worse, the children are married to blood relatives in the first order (uncles and cousins) and have been so for thousand of years. What has this done to the nations (people) practizing this type of incest? And why is it that western nations pretend not to know about this and turn a blind eye to cases where girls dissapears after age of 7..8 or 10, "visiting relatives"..

At last! hurrah...hope saudi arabia is next to outlaw that form of slavery & paedophilia.

Thank heavens! It's always a reason to celebrate when conscience and goodness prevail. I hope the world will keep watching to ensure that this law is actually enforced, and that Yemen will not turn a blind eye to those who break it.

Nujood Ali is a brave and courageous hero. What happens to her now? Will she be marriageable when she's older and wants to marry? Is she an outcast for life?

Her husband should not have been paid $200 for the divorce. He should have been prosecuted for child rape and pedophilia and spend a long long time in jail. But this is a great step and a joyous event for the women on Yemen.

Saudi Arabia ... care to follow suit?

I'm so pleased about this new law. I really hope that will this inspire other arab countries to give rights to women and treat them like human beings not like an object that they possess. I congratulate Nujood for her courage and i would say that thanks to her the arab world is becoming more civilized.

The importance of this moment cannot be underestimated, it is an essential step forward as well as a hugely uplifting and inspiring one. My warmest congratulations and sincere admiration to the people of Yemen as represented by their Parliament.

This is child trade.... this happens in alot of poor countries (not necessarly in the middle east) and it should be outlawed... everywhere... regardless of the age of the child... No family should force a child of any age even over 17 or 18 to marry someone or simply have sex with someone for money...

One more strike against kiddie porn in the middle east, where the young are just fodder to dirty old men.

No person should be married so young and nobody should be forced into one. She has great courage and hopefully be able to get over the grave lost of her childhood and trust of humanity. I agree it needs to be outlawed as does female genital mutation and surpession of women.

Why should the Islamic world wonder why the West looks at it with disgust and contempt? What is a child bride but an excuse for a richer, middle aged man to rape a young girl under the pretense of religion? If it were not for the abuse of children and women (acid in the face for going to school, driving, or getting a job), the so-called conflict in the middle east would have been solved a long time ago. Most Americans do not like what the Jews are doing to the Palestinians, but the Jewish state is democratic, and treats women with equality. As long as the Muslim world treats women like property, as second class citizens, and allows child rape, the Palestinians can just forget a homeland. Sad, but true.

While the writing of this law is certainly a good thing, anyone who thinks the new law will stop the practice of old men marrying virtual babies is not being realistic. The Yemeni government is feeling some of the "pinch" from the outside world; this law reflects an attempt to show the West it is not unreasonable. What the law will actually accomplish is – precisely nothing. Child brides are as Islamic as Muhammad himself. You can't legislate it out of Muslims.

Islam itself makes child brides not only permissible but desirable, and – somehow – even righteous, since Muhammad did it himself. The Hadith, which is a chronicle of Muhammad's life, acts and sayings, is second in sanctity only to the Quran. More importantly, all Muslims, regardless of their sect, are expected to use Muhammad as their ultimate role model. They are to emulate him in every way possible.

Child brides are emulating Muhammad, and if you think some law is going to change peoples' minds about that, you don't live in the real world.

What we need to grasp – and why it is so hard beats me, since it is already so extremely obvious – is that Islam is a male-oriented religion. OF males, BY males and FOR males. It could even be said that the bulk of Islam (aside from its use in gaining political power) is to control women, absolutely. The goal is to virtually OWN the women, and what is good for them, or what they want, is immaterial.

Doubt this if you wish, but if you have not studied Islam, if you have not read the Quran and Hadith, if you have not gone to Islamic websites to learn more about its history, its values, how the two sects came into being and why each is determined to genocide the other – you cannot possibly have an opinion. You can only have an attitude – composed entirely of information from second-hand sources. Western propaganda doesn't want these realities known – not when we still need their oil.

View the videos (youtube has them) called "Fitna" and "Submission." Then you might have a grasp of some of Islam's realities.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

First, The world has No respect for parents like that, how could you not support your own child!! Dispicable -
Secondly, She is a very strong and intellegent child and I feel extremely sad that her less than par parents subjected her to such pain and agony!
Thirdly, She deserves the best from here on out!
Fourth, It's about time that Yemen pulled thier heads out of thier -–!!

How do you even consummate a marriage with a 10-year-old bride? How can any group or state or religion condone intercourse with a girl with an immature body? Even if intercourse is just for procreation, I can't imagine that girl's body is ready to have children.

this is so good to hear. all over the world there are little things like this just waiting to be helped along. women for hundreds of years have been neglected and a minority. it's about time some body did something about it. maybe the next step is not just another law about marraige age, maybe they can obtain other rights. all i can say is that i only wish i get a chance to help someone get what is rightfully theirs.

Frank Sullivan, your comment shows how arrogant and ignorant you are about Islam and the rest of world. Show us where it is written in the Islamic scripture that child bride is allowed or encouraged. Child bride is practice in South Asia, China, Africa, and many other developing countries and poor communities. These commuities are Christian, Hindu, Islam, and non believer. You should know that this practice is cultural thing not a religius thing.

All I can say is that children are innocent...And these children (at least after her) get to keep their innocence, thanks to her bravery.

Frank, Regarding your comments about disgust and contempt – Dont forget that the Islamic world considers the West immoral and corrupt. Such value judgements work both ways.

Israel is not a democracy. The first principle of a democracy is that all members of the society (citizens) have equal access to power and the second that all members (citizens) enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties.

Israel does not treat all its citizens equally. It is an apatheid state where Israeli Arabs have different rights to Jewish Israelis. Israel is also defined as a terrorist state in at least two Amnesty International annual reports.

There are about 1 billion Muslims in the world but only about 14 million Jews. Long term there can only be one outcome to those odds if Israel continues to illegally occupy Palestine. As soon as the oil runs out and the USA looses interest in funding their repression of the arabs then its all over imo.

Holly,

you asking people to watch the movie fitna?

Did you read what the British law makers called that movie and its maker? They called the movie maker a biggot and they did not even allowed him to enter the UK....

Do you want to tell me that becasue some Catholic priests have sex with young children boys the whole reglion is bad?

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7885918.stm

A Dutch MP who called the Koran a "fascist book" has been sent back to the Netherlands after attempting to defy a ban on entering the UK.

Freedom Party MP Geert Wilders had been invited to show his controversial film – which links the Islamic holy book to terrorism – in the UK's House of Lords.

But Mr Wilders, who faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred, has been denied entry by the Home Office.

He told the BBC it was a "very sad day" for UK democracy.

The Dutch ambassador was also at Heathrow to make clear his government's opposition to the ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK.

'Free speech'

Mr Wilders' film Fitna caused outrage across the Muslim world when it was posted on the internet last year.

After being questioned at Heathrow, the MP said he had been to the House of Lords two weeks ago and there had been "no problem".

He added: "I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm not protesting or running through the streets of London."

Cabinet Office minister Liam Byrne said, on BBC One's Question Time: "This guy wasn't coming here to exercise his right of free speech. This guy was trying to come here in order to sow division between us in this country.

"Everything I've heard about this guy tells me he's a bigot and the right place for him is to stay at home."

The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on Mr Wilders entering the UK under EU laws enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7842344.stm

Islam film Dutch MP to be charged

A Dutch court has ordered prosecutors to put a right-wing politician on trial for making anti-Islamic statements.

Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders made a controversial film last year equating Islam with violence and has likened the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

Frankly, I saw this story posted yesterday when there were zero comments. It just gave me chills and made me a little sick os didn't write. There are instances all over the world probably and some places maybe more than others. I'm grateful to Yemen for moving forward. When I was ten, the men in my family were respectful and protective. I got to be a child. My older brother taught me to drive on some back roads at ten; my dad never knew. Climbing trees and hanging out with friends were fun. And I worked all summer helping my mom can veggies. To all the girls and women of the world, I hope you have happy young years, and older ones. Even dating my future husband, in my twenties, the men in my family were protective. It was very nice.

Professor. I have seen you defend Islamic, Christian, and Jew alike since participating in this. This is a good trait. Hats off to you.

The fact that this has gone on for so long is terrible. Too bad U.N. could'nt intervene sooner. I'm sure they knew of it. This is just as bad as genocide, apartheid, or any other crime against humanity.

CS – Please explain where the prof has defended Christians and Jews. I missed that part. I keep reading that the UN is terrible but then it should do something, but when it does, it's terrible again. Which is it, in your opinion?

I think that part of the problem might be miscommunication. I might be wrong. In my religion, it's okay and relaxed to say about anything. I was at dinner recently and one woman was atheist but honestly trying to work out things about religion. She told us parts that bugged her and cracked jokes and we laughed and some of the older, most knowledgeable people tried to address her questions. Some would have found it insulting probably. We all like her. It was honest communication and no one got bent out of shape. Other cultures are different so what is okay with us, is not with them. Not everyone realizes it.

Tony February 13th, 2009 122 GMT

Frank, Regarding your comments about disgust and contempt – Dont forget that the Islamic world considers the West immoral and corrupt. Such value judgements work both ways.

Israel is not a democracy. The first principle of a democracy is that all members of the society (citizens) have equal access to power and the second that all members (citizens) enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties.

Israel does not treat all its citizens equally. It is an apatheid state where Israeli Arabs have different rights to Jewish Israelis. Israel is also defined as a terrorist state in at least two Amnesty International annual reports.

********************************************************

Where in the world did you learn this???? You been reading some radical islamist we blogs or what?? Geez!

Didn't Israel take in some of the Darfur refugees? I read that somewhere and thought it was sweet. Poor people.

CS,

thanks for the compliment.... :)

After I wrote that I was ten and my older brother taught me to drive but my dad never knew, I realized that he must have known. My brother was in another city, 50 miles away, and in a bad accident. My dad woke me up in the middle of the night and threw some cash and car keys down on the bed and told me that he and my mom would be gone a week or so and why. He told me to call my aunts or uncles if I needed anything and only drive if I had to.... Wow. He had to know that I had been driving. haha! He also told me to take care of my sister who was little at the time.

Girls at ten are not babies, but they are not nearly adults either. Not even close.

GLeigh,

I respect all religions... You will never find me cussing one religion, or a prophet of any religion... When I spoke of hate speech in religious books I mentioned that you can take a phrase out of context from any religious book and make it look like its teaching hate... that does not make the religion a religion of hate... Judaism, Christianity or Islam... I mentioned in one of my earlier comments that I believe all those three religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam are from the same one God.... and here I just mentioned yesterday that the actions of some Catholics (sex with little boys) does not mean the religion is bad... That applies to all reglions.... the actions of some people let it be Jews, Christians or Muslims should not be a reflection on the whole religion. When I say Israel is doing wrong to the Palestinians I do not mean Jews are doing bad things to the Palestinians.... hey there are Palestinians Jews, as well as Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Learn to separate between religion and people... religion and Political systems or figures.

Having said that Prof, I still you blaming Israel for everything. I don't. Part of the blame has to go to other places. No one is really off the hook here. It's a joint effort, by many people. I have heard you say that the ONLY acceptable solution is to go back to 1948. You don't seem open to any other solution or compromises. Why is that?

GLeigh,

Its not me who is not open to compromise.... I have said before that if its up to me I would vote for a one state solution...

But, you have both the Israelis and the Palestinians wants a two state solutions none of them would accept my suggestion.... hehe

so, based on that where are you going to draw the borders? back in 1948 the UN drew a map they stole half of the Palestinians land and gave it to Israel which did not exist before... but we do not want to go there now... so you have at least a map that is usable... but to create a bandstan of small pieces of land here and there and call them Palestine... connect them with highways that are controlled by occupation foces... that does not make any sense and no one would accept to live like that.

Prof – Luckily it's not up to me because I don't know the landscape. I do think some tough fair people will have to work on it. I doubt really if they'll go back to 1948. I don't think it's fair to blame Israel and no one else. Who was to blame in the war that lasted six days in 1967? Finger pointing isn't going to help living people in that area anyway, no matter who did what. I've seen missiles and bombs and hate on TV for years. Many years.

GLeigh,

Its not a matter of blaming game or ponting fingers.... but you cannot draw three circles one in the east... one in the west... and one in the center and connect them with a highway that the occupier control and call it a country that is going to have any autonomy....

If you are going to draw a line in the middle of Palestine and create two states that might be considered which is what the UN drew back in 1967 which is still not fair to the Palestinians in my opinion but other than that..... you are calling for a continuation of the resistance to the occupation.

GLeigh. If you scroll up a bit, you'll see where Prof defended the Catholic church againt being grouped together as a negative entity, just because the few have done horriffic things. And if I recall from past blogs, he and many of us have said, although we Support one side or the other, we don't want civilian or children hurt.

But once again, your tone is nasty, and argumentative. I always find that you want to question peoples' authenticity, or sincerity. This is destructive to the conversation. Why pick all the time? What good will it do? I was trying to say something uplifting instead of always fingerpointing, and whining and complaining like many others do.

I wish more people in here could be more constructive, instead of being antisocial. Do you know the real meaning of antisocial. It's defined as ; behavior that manipulates, and exploits others. I think this is what happens here too often.

I have to go Prof. As always, interesting conversation. I wish them luck on finding solutions and compromises. Beyond that, wiser world leaders are going to have to work hard to help that area find its peace – if possible. Peace.

GLeigh. Since you want to go back to previous things said by Professor...let's do that. I SPECIFICALLY remember a comment Prof made about a solution to this Israeli Palestinian problem. He said something to the effect that we could have a one state solution, whereby Israelis, and Palestinians can literally be neighbors, boarders can be removed, and both sides can have the right to exist side by side, just as it was in jerusalem, and the whole of Palestine, prior to UN involvement.

Again, I see you trying to point fingers, and initiate an arguement. This blog is supposed to be about what is happening in Yemen right now, but for some reason (you're an antisocial) you want to try to beat Prof, and myself, and anyone different than you into submission, with sarcasm, and unfunny jokes. Stop trying to argue. That's not what we're here for.

And GLeigh. The 6 day war would not have been fought if the U.N. never intervened with their criminal acts in 1948. There was peace in Palestine, Israelis (european, and arab Jews alike) were coexisting with Arabs just fine. Attending same markets, raising families, and reaping the benifits of living in the land of prophets from BOTH faiths.
But you, and many others think it's ok for one group to just take the land for themselves. This is a very racist way of thinking.

CS – I want peace. I'm not anti-social. I wasn't trying to be funny. I wasn't try to blame anyone in particular, but said everyone should accept a part. I did comment on Yemen and congratulated them on moving foward, if you read back yourself. I admitted that I didn't know the landscape in Gaza and Israel, didn't have answers, and didn't know how it could be solved. Is that arguing, in your opinion? Do you feel beaten from that observation? You wrote, "Too bad the U.N. could'nt intervene sooner," not me. Read up a little and read what you wrote. Those were not my words. Well, I do really have to go. I do feel attacked by you CS. I was sharing my views and observations, not belittling your views and observations. Have a great weekend.

GLeigh,

I do agree with CS... he is making a very good point here... why do you keep ignore suggestions and ideas that you do not like.... I did not see you putting any productive solution on the table... you want to leave it to the wise leaders?.... I think thats what brought us here to begin with.... we left it to not so wise leaders after all. All what you can say is for the resistance to put down their guns and submit to their occupier to bring peace?.... would you have accepted that? If the US said we will not retaliate for pearl harbor and let the Japanese take over becuase its not so nice to go back and attack them?

GLeigh,

is it not enough for the Palestinians to accpet to loose half of their country?.... what else sould you like me to suggest to them? to loose 90% of it?

It seams like even the 50% was not good enough solution for you... can you tell me what is?

Professor February 13th, 2009 1653 GMT

If you are going to draw a line in the middle of Palestine and create two states that might be considered which is what the UN drew back in 1967 which is still not fair to the Palestinians in my opinion but other than that….. you are calling for a continuation of the resistance to the occupation.

///////////////////////////////////////////

The UN never drew any map or borders or boundries in 1967.

P.S. CS – Before I have to RUN out the door, and I do have to, if I ever do become sarcastic and put down your opinions, I guarantee you that there will be no doubts in your mind that I've gone there.... I know you feel the world leaders working on these issues are wrong and you and your views are right, violent as they are to me, but you will not doubt if I go there. Have a lovely weekend.

Carlos,

who told you the UN drew any maps in 1967? why should the UN do that?... The UN drew maps in 1948 and thats what the UN recognize as Israel and Palestine... based on that map.... If Israel decided to expand its territories, that was give to her, without the UN approval then that is not a legitimate expansion. And until its resolved its considered an occupation.

CS February 13th, 2009 1722 GMT

And GLeigh. The 6 day war would not have been fought if the U.N. never intervened with their criminal acts in 1948.
**********************************************************************

Sorry CS------ Starting a war because you don't happen to agree with a UN Resolution is not an acceptable solution!!

There's simply no excuse for it!!

If the problem is with the UN-- take it up with the UN ! All governing authorites in volved in the stiuation were member states and had the opportunity to be a participant in the decision makling process. Just because one doesn't agree with the decision does not give one the right to wage war!

Sorry!

Professor February 13th, 2009 1733 GMT

GLeigh,

is it not enough for the Palestinians to accpet to loose half of their country?…. what else sould you like me to suggest to them? to loose 90% of it?

It seams like even the 50% was not good enough solution for you… can you tell me what is?
********************************************************************

If the Arabs had any wisdom at all, they would have accepted the original UN resolution in 1947 which provided for them to have ther own state. But, no- in thier infinite wisdom they chose war and lost. They lost the rights to the land they were offered. They made a decision and they lost the gamble. Now, 60 years later they're still trying to figure out how to get themselves out of the mess they created for themselves.
They just don't seem to get it. It 's like they just can't figure it out that every time they start an armed conflict they loose more property because of it!!

Professor February 13th, 2009 1758 GMT

Carlos,

who told you the UN drew any maps in 1967? why should the UN do that?…
************************************************

You did professor-–read your post!!!

"Professor February 13th, 2009 1653 GMT

If you are going to draw a line in the middle of Palestine and create two states that might be considered which is what the UN drew back in 1967 which is still not fair to the Palestinians in my opinion but other than that….. you are calling for a continuation of the resistance to the occupation.

Carlos,

that was typo... I meant back in 1948...

Carlos. When that UN resolution says that I need to retreat from the land that I live on, so that refugees from another war that I was not even involved in, than you're damn right, That's something to foght over. If you're an American, you're a hypocrite. In fact, it's pretty safe to say, you're a hypocrite anyway. How would you like to have your country taken from you, then when the foreign entity gives you SOME of your land back, it's not even the best, most fertile land? You would'nt, so keep your little UN resolution nonsense to yourself. Palestine was a nation over 1200 years before the UN was ever thought of, so please. Aside from the fact that the UN only supports the opression, and RATIONING of foods and supplies to Arab nations, while western, and Israeli govt's are allowed to get away with murder...literally.

You sound irrational Carlos. You said just cause one nation does'nt agree...blah blah blah, Why would a country AGREE to give their land to another people? Of course they disagreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CS,

First off I'm not a US citizen and don't live in the US.

Second,
There has never been a sovereign nation called Palestine.
There has never been a sovereign country called Palestine.
There has never been a sovereign state called Palestine.
Palestine has never been anything more than "Palestinian Territories".
The "Palestinian Territories" have always been under authoritative control of another country or empire.
Palestine is a Roman word for a conquered Judea, the land now called Israel and the West Bank.
The Jews lived in Judea as far back as 1000BCE
Jew in Portugués is Judeu! Interesting Huh! See any connection there?
Who took Judea from the Jews?
Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed Judea as Palestine in 150AD.
The Jews had already been living there for more than 1000 years.
The Jews had already been living there for 100's and 100's of years before there was any such people called Palestinians.
Arabs come from Arabia.

The UN, whose Charter was created by it's member nations, was specifically authorized to deal with the land held under British Mandate. So, the sovereign nations of the world made a decision. They had the power and authority to do so!

So, no one took any one's country from them because no country existed.

So, there was still no reason to wage war on Israel in 1948 or in 1967 or in 1973! Sorry!

And Carlos. You're saying that the Arabs (Palestinians) chose war, and lost. The reason they lost is because the Israelis had the sympathy of the west, and the UN. Just maybe one day the Palestinians will gain such support...then we'll see you complaining about things not being fair, and how the Palestinians are having allied support, and there should be total anhialation of the Arabs. I know the type. I've heard the same type of prejudiced comments my whole life.
You just develope a sense.

CS – You made me think. I really don't know all the circumstances of this war. First and foremost, I want to make that clear. I was the one long ago asking if monetary reparations should be made or whatever. I'm trying to be open. I live in the U.S. and everytime I hear 9/11 which is also my dad's birthday and the emergency phone number, I get livid. It's a challenge. I hate violence and chicken people who kill without giving others a chance, not even a little one, of defending themselves against murder in some way really tick me off. To me, it's cowardly. I see it sometimes in that area. So I have to fight to not get angry, in general.

I like Arab people. I think of Egypt and partying under the Pyramids, the history, on and on. Beyond that, I don't know the answers. I know how things are, today, and that there are a millions reasons everywhere for everything. Everyone has a website to post or someone's opinion to post, or an article. I don't think the west is against Arab countries. Most of us admire the history but are a little afraid. We are laid back, maybe too much, and make fun of our religion sometimes. Then boom, we find it that doing that in some places is bad. I never knew. I'm scared too death of offending someone writing something down that to me is not a biggie because I am so easy going.

I'm not being sarcastic. Cultures are different. My mother-in-law told me ten or fifteen years ago that when her kids were young, three boys and one my husband, that one day she lost it and started throwing stuff at them. They had their shoes in the hallway and starting pitching at them, telling them not to fight. My kids were little and my mother-in-law to me is a world traveller and grew up rich. I grew up in the boonies. It cracked me up because I was a tired mom. I never thought of the Middle East. Didn't know about the shoe deal. Spitting here is bad, germs. Every culture is different, and all need to be observed. Yemen does not shock me. My great grandmother was 14 and met her husband, in his twenties, at some river bank while she was ringing out clothes. I am glad that men are being kinder and letting females grow up. I'm sure that in ways, I can advance from them. That's not an insult. They are an older culture then we are but females here tend to be aggressive it seems. I am.

CS February 13th, 2009 2102 GMT

And Carlos. You’re saying that the Arabs (Palestinians) chose war, and lost. The reason they lost is because the Israelis had the sympathy of the west, and the UN.
*****************************************************************

Why they lost is of no consequence. The fact is they lost and are still paying the price for their poor judgements.

So CS – how open are you to others? If you were female, I would say that you have to be very open. I've learned to be tolerant, at best. Being in the boonies a good part of my life, it's the best that I can do. I'm an ole country gal. I am not telling you to let others rule your life. I know little about this whole deal. I do know that Gaza people are in poverty, shame on everyone, and I hope things are made better. It's terrible. If that offends you, good. The world moves on and you better learn that and adapt.

As a country female, who has seen prejudice but was lucky enough to have strong male relatives, I admire this female. She is very lovely and I really hope that Nancy Grace or someone who tends to follow a story long term, tells us how she does manage in life, in detail. Life is never fair. I told my kiddies, long ago, to get over it. But she is such a role model. I know it would be hard to follow long term, but this is such an inspiring story. I struggle with the male-female issue some here. Odd as it seems in an advanced place.

Yemen must now follow this up by banning parents from forcing husbands onto their daughters.

The remarkable story of this 10-year-old Nujood Ali, the first Yemeni child bride to seek and obtain a divorce, is unbelievable. I am astonished and proud of Nujood Ali for standing up and refusing to stay with her arranged husband who is three times her age. Setting the age requirement to the minimum of 17 is still not enough, but it shows the progression of the limited rights that females have been able to obtain. The controversy involving arranged marriages to children needs to be exposed and ban child brides. Although this is one of the practices that the culture may have, it is wrong.

Now if they could just choose their own husbands.

I'm very happy to hear this. However, just expressing our opinions about this issue is not enough. After all that publicity she still in poverty, not going to school regularly, still with the same father who got her married because she was dumped back at the same place after everyone got their ratings up. So, she still needs more help. Can anyone tell me how to get into contact with her lawyer Shada Nasser? Or any other info on how to get into contact with her or her parents or any other way to get a hold of her? Does anyone know anything about adoption in that country. Please provide that info to me if you have it and I'll do something about her situation. She deserves FREEDOM, EDUCATION and most of all she deserves RESPECT.