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War torn Afghanistan is also plagued by terrorism, drug trafficking and warlords who have left the social and political structure of the country in shambles. The proposed drawdown of US and ISAF troops in 2014 has generated great speculation on the likely repercussions on the Afghanistan government and security forces and the possible return of the Taliban and the ripple effect that this could have on other countries.
Women in Afghanistan have been the worst sufferers of violence and are generally perceived as the ‘victims’. However, despite the myriad problems faced by them and the innumerable hurdles placed in their path by a conservative society, many women have emerged to rekindle the flame of freedom and fight for a respectable place for women and fellow citizens in Afghanistan.
Shukria Barakzai is one of them. She has emerged as one of the most powerful women in Afghanistan, also labelled as “the woman who the Taliban and NATO fear”. Currently serving as a Member of Parliament, she aspires to run for the presidential elections in 2014. Barakzai was one of the many Afghanis who chose to stay back and fight for the rights of their fellow citizens when the Taliban took over in the year 1996. She was whipped by pro-Taliban elements on the streets when a male escort was found missing. This kind of abject treatment meted out to her further toughened her desire to run an underground school to promote girl’s education, a very challenging step under the shadow of Taliban fear. One of the first magazines which championed for women’s rights in Afghanistan called Aine-e Azaan (Women’s mirror) was started by her and has gained popularity amongst women who are starting to become aware about their rights, superstitions and laws which often work against women’s empowerment and in several ways dehumanise them.
One of the biggest achievements in her political career was her election as the President of the Defence Committee which she describes as a “hundred per cent man’s job”. It also led to the resignation of Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardack who could not accept working under a woman. Barakzai also had the opportunity to be a part of a Committee which was designated to write a new constitution for the country where her task was to ensure that women’s perspective and rights are taken into account while framing laws and policies.She has been endorsed with many awards like the International Editor of the Year award by World Press Organisation in 2005 and has been ranked amongst the 100 most powerful women in the world.
Similarly Malalai Joya, was expelled from the Parliament for her courage to speak up against widespread corruption amongst warlords, drug lords and various politicians. Ranked as the “bravest Woman in the world” by BBC she has openly criticised the US for the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan citing that they had come to her country to “help themselves”. She claims that no country can aspire to be independent with US base on its grounds. “Raising My voice” was her autobiographical attempt which was later published in US/Canada in the name of “A woman among warlords’. She lives in hiding after encountering several brutal attacks at the hands of Taliban.
Women who challenge the ingrained stereotypes which indirectly promote misogyny and narrow down possibilities for them to voice their concerns against such cultural practices are rendered “unacceptable” and often severely punished or even executed. Aisha, who gained prominence after she posed for a controversial picture in Times Magazine, was brutally attacked because she tried to flee from her abusive in-laws. Her nose and ears were cut off by her relatives.
The worsening situation in Afghanistan catalysed the process of migration to neighbouring countries. Susan Firooz, a 23 year old rapper and an Afghan refugee in Iran, highlights the plight of her citizens under the regime of warlords. She cites, “if you walk in Iran you will face engineers and doctors, but in Afghanistan you will face drug addicts, kidnappers and terrorists, it’s all a gift from our neighbouring countries.”
Women have started to reclaim social and political spaces they were deprived off in the Taliban regime; they are more aware about their rights, educational and health facilities. However it becomes mandatory to also bring the laws in their favour because women who challenge age old traditions are still seen as a threat. Fawzia Koofi, a Member of Parliament who also wishes to run for Presidential elections in 2014 is fighting for a law that criminalises violence against women. She has been accused of promoting “western values”.
Afghanistan’s strive towards a long lasting peace and democracy should not be undermined. Towards this end, it is essential that women are involved in the decision making process and peace negotiating tables so that a decade’s achievement of democracy, human and women’s rights does not fizzle out. There is a lack of clarity on the roles and responsibilities of High Peace Council (HPC) and Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme. Nomination of Maulvi Qalamuddin, one of the most notorious hardliners in the Taliban regime whose policies incited violence against women if they behaved in an “inappropriate fashion”, into HPC has raised concerns. He claims that Taliban has transformed and has grown more accepting towards technology and women in public spaces provided they “behave themselves”. It is indefinite whether this statement signifies actual transformation or just opportunism.
Dr. Sima Samar, former Vice President of Afghanistan and Minister of Women’s Affairs mentioned, “People have already experienced Taliban and know their mentality. Especially the young people and the women are able to exercise their rights now. We had one TV channel when the Taliban took over, now we have 30-40 TV channels, over 400 radio stations, and there are a lot of changes. Taliban supporters are politically and financially weakened”.
Many women in Afghanistan are charged with a fiery spirit to reform their society which has fractured under decades of violence. They have given men their chance to promote peace, but now perhaps it is time that they step in and ensure that they too be included in the nation building process. As Barakzai has very rightly said, “Democracy cannot be airdropped together with troops of marines. So the first step towards a truly dependent Afghanistan is to remind the people of their self-esteem and give them self-confidence. This is a major challenge. I’m ready for it”.
By Special Arrangement with The Centre For Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) (http://www.claws.in)