Nadine Schuster Honors English II October 18, 2012 WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN

The Roles of Women in Afghanistan Traditionally, Afghan women are to stay home in order to take care of their children and do chores around the house. People think that working and studying outside of the house is not good for women(“The Role”). truth-about-opium-brides

The Roles of Women in Afghanistan One area of the economy where women do play a significant role is in agriculture In some areas in Afghanistan, women may spend as much time working on the land as men do, but still often earn three times less than men in wages. People typically argue that women who go out to work or study misuse their freedom and commit prostitution, something that stands in direct opposition to both Islamic belief and the Afghan culture. A Major role they also play is being a mother. Women who work outside the house cannot raise healthy kids because these women end up spending a lot of time and energy working on other things, which leaves them with little time to share their maternal love with their kids (“The Role”).

The Rights of Afghan Women “Over 1400 years ago, Islam demanded that men and women be equal before God, and gave them various rights such the right to inheritance, the right to vote, the right to work, and even to choose their own partners in marriage” (Afghan Women’s History). execu/ ?newsId=153237

Rights of Afghan Women “For centuries now in Afghanistan, women have been denied their rights either by the official government or by their own husbands, fathers, and brothers” (Afghanistan Online). “Running away,” or fleeing home without permission, is not a crime under the Afghan criminal code, yet the Afghan Supreme Court has instructed its judges to treat women and girls who flee as criminals anyway (Afghanistan: Hundreds of Women). Afghan lawmakers are trying to pass a law that would, amongst other things, legalize marital rape, prohibit women from leaving the home without permission, deny them the right of inheritance, and set the minimum female marital age to sixteen (Gopal).. In Kabul, some females now have access to education, and there are well- paying jobs available. Sadly, still only 5 percent of girls go to secondary school throughout the country, but in Kabul more girls are enrolled than at any point in the last ten years (Gopal).

The Restrictions of Women in Afghanistan “Women are not allowed to appear outside the home unless wearing a covering called the burqa. Sometimes a three inch square opening covered with mesh provides the only means for vision. Although the burqa was worn in Kabul before the Taliban took control, it was not an enforced dress code and many women wore only scarves that cover the head.” (Afghanistan Online) barbaricand-8217-law-diminishing-womenand-8217-s-rights.html

Restrictions of Afghan Women Women are not allowed to make their own decisions. Men are entitled to make the decisions, including those pertaining to engagement and marriage. A man can divorce without needing his wife's agreement (“Some of the Restrictions”). They are not permitted to work or leave the house without a male escort. They are not allowed to seek medical help from a male doctor, and are required to cover their entire body. Women who were doctors and teachers before, are forced to be beggars and even prostitutes in order to feed their families (Afghanistan Online). There is a ban on women playing sports or entering a sport center. Women may not appear on the balconies of their apartments or houses (“Some of the Restrictions”).

Political Changes 1973 to 1978 During these years, women enjoyed much more personal freedoms and rights. Unfortunately, most of these were limited to women living in Kabul and other major cities. Most of the rural areas still remained the other way around and women continued to be oppressed and treated as property rather than human beings with equal rights (Afghan Women’s History) to 1996 Before the Taliban took control, almost half of the working population were women. They had jobs as teachers, doctors and other occupations. in an attempt to strengthen the government against the increasing power of the Taliban, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar was appointed as the new Prime Minister. Hekmatyar immediately restricted some women's freedoms, however they could still go to school and work (Afghan Women’s History) to 2001 “The Taliban took over and immediately placed restrictions on Afghan women.” They were not allowed to work, leave the house without an escort, not allowed to seek medical help from a male doctor, and forced to cover themselves from head to toe. During the rule of the Taliban, women were treated worse than in any other time or by any other society (Afghan Women’s History). Late 2001 In late 2001, the restrictions on Afghan women were officially lifted and they were allowed to once again work and go to school. Unfortunately, the government does not officially recognize this and today, the abuse of women continues. “The government also is too weak to enforce many laws, especially in the rural areas, and in once Taliban supported areas” (Afghan Women’s History)

Hekmatyar Immediately restricted some women's freedoms, however they could still attend school and work (Afghan Women’s History). Taliban Takeover They were forbidden to work, leave the house without a male, not allowed to seek medical help from a male doctor, and forced to wear Burquas (Afghanistan Online). Tried to lift Restrictions Nearly 1,000 girls’ schools have been attacked since With poor security forces and U.S. attention shifted to Iraq, by 2008, the Taliban rebels had regained control over much of the Southern region of Afghanistan. The Taliban took over Swat Valley in Pakistan in late 2008 (Feminist Majority).

Political Events (and laws against women)  November 8, 1959 During an independence day festivity, women appear unveiled, celebrating the end of state-enforced veiling.  October 1, 1964 “A new constitution creates a modern democracy with free elections, equal rights, freedom of speech, universal suffrage, and allows women to enter into politics.”  September 1, 1996 “The Taliban comes to power. They institute a severe version of Shariah Law, requiring men to grow beards and women to fully veil themselves. Those who disobey are punished.”  January 1, 2004 A new constitution is signed, giving equal rights to both men and women (Timeline)

Facts/Statistics  Every 30 minutes, an Afghan woman dies during childbirth.  87 percent of Afghan women are illiterate.  Only 30% of girls have access to education in Afghanistan because the education of girls is banned in over 90 percent of the country.  1 in every 3 Afghan women experience physical, psychological or sexual violence.  44 years is the average life expectancy rate for women in Afghanistan.  70 to 80 percent of women face forced marriages in Afghanistan (Afghanistan Online).  54 percent of girls under 18 are married  Anywhere between 60 and 80 percent of marriages are forced.  57 percent of brides are under the age of 16.  87 percent of the above complain of domestic violence (Gopal).

Works Cited "Afghan Women's History." Afghanistan Online:. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct "Afghanistan: Hundreds of Women, Girls Jailed for 'Moral Crimes' | Human Rights Watch.” Afghanistan: Hundreds of Women, Girls Jailed for 'Moral Crimes' | Human Rights Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct "Afghanistan Online: The Plight of the Afghan Woman." Afghanistan Online: The Plight of the Afghan Woman. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct “Feminist Majority Foundation - Breaking News, Feminism from Affirmative Action to Sexual Harassment to Women's Sports." Feminist Majority Foundation - Breaking News, Feminism from Affirmative Action to Sexual Harassment to Women's Sports. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct

Gopal, Anand. "What You Should Know About Women's Rights in Afghanistan." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Apr Web. 17 Oct "The Role of Women in Afghanistan." : Aamozgar. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct "Some of the Restrictions Imposed by Taliban in Afghanistan." Some of the Restrictions Imposed by Taliban in Afghanistan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct "Timeline of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 17 Oct Works Cited