Afghanistan: People, Places, & Politics Notes & Photos taken from PBS & ABC-Clio

Data Overview Capital: Kabul Size: Slightly smaller than TX Population: 28 million (2011) down from 31 million in 2006 –80% Sunni –19% Shi’a GDP per capita: $800 –80% in agriculture

Geography Landlocked  trade is difficult/ expensive Mountainous  faces earthquakes & drought Extreme temps 120°F in summer -15°F in winter

Geography Limited water  land is overgrazed  desertification  even harder to farm Covered by 5-7 million landmines

The People Some of poorest in world  try to farm in place faced by drought, famine, & war Woman is drying dung to use as home insulation Boy is carrying a melon across mountainous terrain

16 yr old works in textiles Schools lack resources, desks, etc. Girls were banned from US soldiers are very common & often interact with local people

Woman is part of work-for-food program  making land suitable for farming Women cover themselves to show modesty Afghan men at Friday prayer

Opium Supplies 90% of opium in world (illegal- makes heroin) Makes up 1/3 of GDP Drug lords make millions –Govn’t trying to eliminate to focus on useful crops

Political History 1979: Invaded by USSR –Guerrilla war backed by US 1989: sign treaty with USSR 1995/6: Taliban takes control of govn’t –Strict Islamic law, no women’s rights 2001: harbored al-Qaida, US bombed & forced Taliban out 2004: Hamid Karzai is 1 st elected pres. 2006: Taliban begins resurgence, US fights

Osama bin Laden Lead al-Qaida: militant Islamic terrorist group Takes credit for 9/11 Harbored by Afghanistan…killed by an American Special Forces unit in Pakistan. Buried at sea in an unknown location.

Society under the Taliban Banned the keeping of pigeons and playing with the birds, describing it as un-Islamic. Ban on certain games including kite flying which is "un-Islamic" according to Taliban. Anyone who carries objectionable literature will be executed. Anyone who converts from Islam to any other religion will be executed. Non-Muslim minorities must wear distinct badge or stitch a yellow cloth onto their dress. Banned the use of the internet by both ordinary Afghans and foreigners.

Women under the Taliban Before the Taliban's takeover, Afghan women were: 70% of school teachers 50% of civilians in the government workforce 60% of teachers at Kabul University 50% of students at Kabul University 40% of doctors in Kabul

Women under the Taliban Complete ban on women's activity outside the home unless accompanied by a mahram (close male relative such as a father, brother or husband).

Women under the Taliban Complete ban on women's work outside the home, which also applies to female teachers, engineers and most professionals. Only a few female doctors and nurses are allowed to work in some hospitals in Kabul.

Women under the Taliban Whipping, beating and verbal abuse of women not clothed in accordance with Taliban rules, or of women unaccompanied by a mahram. Whipping of women in public for having non-covered ankles. Ban on women playing sports. Ban on women riding bicycles or motorcycles. Ban on women's wearing of brightly colored clothing. Ban on women washing clothes next to rivers or in a public place. Ban on women appearing on the balconies of their apartments or houses. Ban on males and females traveling on the same bus. Ban on the photographing or filming of women.

Women under the Taliban Ban on women dealing with male shopkeepers. Ban on women studying at schools, universities or any other educational institution. Requirement that women wear a long veil (Burqa), which covers them from head to toe. Public stoning of women accused of adultery (relations outside of marriage) Ban on women laughing loudly. (No stranger should hear a woman's voice). Ban on women wearing high heel shoes, which would produce sound while walking. (A man must not hear a woman's footsteps.)

Women under the Taliban Their foot ornaments must not produce sound. They must not walk in the middle of streets. They must not go out of their houses without their husband's permission. They must not look at strangers. They must not perfume themselves. Women's clothes must not be decorated and colorful. Women caught with finger-nail polish will have their fingers cut off.

The Taliban Ruled Afghanistan –Women had no rights or educ. –No TV, music, games, or sports When ousted, went to poorest ppl, warlords, al-Qaida & other extremists to gain support & recruits… Mullah Mohammad Omar

President Karzai Elected in 2001*, 2004, 2009 –Democratic Islamic Republic Multiple assassination attempts Main Goals: –Improve infrastructure –Keep Taliban out of power –Control drug lords & trade

“The Price of Going to Class” Read NY Times article over life & education in Afghanistan In your spiral, write a summary describing society for men and women under the Taliban. Then differentiate life for women in Afghanistan and the United States. Has your value of education changed in any way after reading this article? In what ways?