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A Woman's Story

Devastated and depressed, she went to the house of her oldest brother. She went to him in his mansion, carrying her little child and crying that her husband had divorced her. She didn't want anything from her brother but his help. She thought she could depend on his authority and influence to help her get a job.

But her brother refused to interfere and confirmed to her in their conversation that he rejected the idea of her working as a maid. She said her brother was worried about idle gossip and his reputation. He asked her, "What do you think people will say about me?" His words echoed in her mind many times.

After some time, he felt sympathy for her and began sending her money every now and then on the condition that she didn't do any work that would reflect unfavorably on his social position

This lady's case is not an exceptional one; if it were, it would have been easy to deal with. There are unfortunately hundreds of women in similar situations. Her main desire was to be independent and work in order to earn her living. She wanted her brother to help her find a job that matched her qualifications. Her brother doesn't know that she and her children sometimes go to sleep hungry and yet his children simply ask their driver to bring them whatever they want.

As for her brother's wife, she is busy with her friends dining in the fanciest restaurants in town. The poor woman did not complain because she was not envious of her brother's lifestyle. She hates the fact that he is ashamed of her and her status and refuses to let her work according to Islamic rules.

This woman and many like her want to live their lives with dignity and earn their own living. They want to celebrate Eid and enjoy themselves just like everyone else. They want to have regular healthy meals every day and have their children go to school. They believe they can live their lives decently if they are given the chance. Do they need to live at the mercy of their legal guardians who refuse to cooperate? Our system doesn't compel a legal guardian to allow any woman he is responsible for to work. But the system could protect women from suffering horrible circumstances by making their lives much easier.

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