We share this from the Huffington Post UK. An interview with Amina Tyler, the Tunisian woman who put a nude picture of herself on the internet. The rising movements against poverty and oppression throughout the world have to a large extent been led by and certainly composed of many women. The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, that is now in government initially played no role in the movement for reform that ousted Mubarak, Washington's friendly dictator. Women as we know played a major role.
One can only imagine the courage it takes for a woman in this climate to fight for equality. There are many Muslim women who oppose such actions as well, it is a controversial issue. The criticism that many Muslim women make that western women aren't so free either as they are portrayed in the media as sex objects is not without some validity but I'll let our sisters help me clarify my thoughts on that one. You can read a number of comments on either side of the debate here as well. And there is more on this particular case here
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Amina Tyler: Topless Tunisian Protester Tells Femen She Was Beaten, Kidnapped & Drugged By Her Family (VIDEO)
Huffington Post UK
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By Sara C Nelson
Posted: 15/04/2013 12:45 BST | Updated: 18/04/2013 08:24 BST
Tunisian activist Amina Tyler has revealed she was beaten, kidnapped and drugged by her family after posting pictures of herself baring her breasts online.
The 19-year-old was also forced to endure a humiliating “virginity test” in the aftermath of her protest, which inspired women’s movement Femen to organise a “topless jihad” in support of her.
Speaking to Femen leader Inna Shevchenko from an undisclosed location via Skype, she told her harrowing story, but was adamant she will continue her struggle for women's rights in the Muslim country.
She spoke of being examined by her aunts in the family kitchen to see if she was still a virgin – describing it as a “horrible” experience, “against my freedom”.
She added: “Every day they were teaching me morals. They forced me to read the Koran. I am an atheist.
“They put their hands on my head and started to read the Koran over my head, that was horrible.
Of her “incarceration” she said: “They gave me medicine in strong doses. I had to sleep and be calm every day”.
An escape attempt saw Amina get as far as a main road where she tried to flag down a car, but she caught by relatives who screamed at her “Why are you doing this to your family?”
And she addressed an earlier TV interview she gave French TV channel Itele, in which she said she did not want to be associated with Femen’s actions and accused the group of “insulting Muslims”.
Despite her ordeal and continuing threats to her safety, Amina has vowed to continue her fight for women's rights.
She said: "I will continue the struggle that started in Tunisia. I will do a topless protest and then I will leave."
In an earlier interview with Frederica Tourn, she said she feared being beaten or raped if she was found by the Tunisian police.
But she insisted she was not afraid: “No, nothing they could do would be worse than what already happens here to women, the way women are forced to live every day.
"Ever since we are small they tell us to be calm, to behave well, to dress a certain way, everything to find a husband. We must also study to be able to marry, because young guys today want a woman who works.”
Inna told the Huffington Post UK: "Amina has became a symbol of liberation of women in the Arab world. We will not stop, now together with Amina, who is in danger, but still free."
