Melania Trump presented feminist award to women who may be banned from entering the United States
Melania Trump, first lady of the United States and champion of contradiction? On Wednesday, she presented a feminist award to women. But, if the anti-immigration decree of her husband is validated, some will not be able to enter the country.
Very discreet since the election of Donald Trump to the White House, Melania Trump limits her public appearances. On Wednesday March 29, it was nevertheless in her role as First Lady of the United States that she presented the rewards of the International Prize for Women of Courage, after having delivered a speech with resolutely feminist accents.
"I am deeply touched to present today an award to twelve remarkable and inspiring women who have given so much to others despite unimaginable threats to their own security," she said in her speech.
Among the winners are the Colombian Natalia Ponce de Leon, the Congolese Rebecca Kabugho and the Vietnamese Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quyhn. All are activists committed to societal or environmental issues.
"Exceptionally courageous women who campaign for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and empowerment," said Melania Trump. Looking more closely at the list of laureates, we also find Jannat Al Ghezi, an Iraqi feminist, Carolin Tahhan Fachakh, a Syrian who works on the ground in Aleppo, and finally Fadia Najib Thabet, a Yemeni, known for her commitment to the children threatened by war.
"Does Melania Trump know who she is married to?"
Problem: these women, praised by Melania Trump, come from countries directly affected by Donald Trump's anti-immigration decree.
According to this migratory decree, signed on January 30 by Donald Trump and partially blocked by federal justice, nationals of seven countries considered "at risk" by a law of 2016, are prohibited from entering the soil of the United States for ninety days. Iraq, Syria and Yemen were all three of the banned countries. The decree also plans to block the entry of refugees from all over the world for 120 days. For the moment, its application has been suspended by a judge in Hawaii.
Statements about sexism that do not pass
Most of these women honored by Melania Trump would therefore not be able to come to the United States if the decree was implemented. The contradictions of Melania Trump question: "But does Melania Trump know to whom she is married?", Quips the website Fusion ironically.
In her speech, the first lady went so far as to address the issue of gender and sexist prejudices. But again, his words ring hollow: the day before, Donald Trump and his administration refused to include questions relating to sexual orientation in the national census scheduled for 2020, causing an outcry within the LGBT community.
For now, Melania Trump has never distanced herself from her husband's words. Already during the campaign, when he was criticized for his sexist comments about women, she defended him. "He's not the man I know," she replied simply. For the first lady, the balancing act promises to be perilous.
