Last week’s news about an Afghan woman executed publicly after being accused of adultery created outrage around the world, from the top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, to the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Hamid Karzai called for the arrest of the killers, said by the U.S. and Afghan officials to be members of the Taliban. Kathleen Kuehnast takes a look at the horrific killing of the woman as well as the broader issue of Afghan women in transition.
The role of women in society is often a site for political discussion, especially in the course of post-conflict transition. For Afghan women, a decade of debate has ensued about their role in Afghan society.
The recent public murder of a woman named Najiba in Afghanistan has sparked international outrage and calls to bring the killers to justice. While the actual date of the killing is unknown, video of the execution depicts a Taliban militant firing repeated shots at close range at a young woman in Qol village in Parwan province, just north of the capital Kabul. Cheered by male onlookers, this death sentence was administered just an hour after Taliban members deemed the woman guilty of adultery against her husband, a member of a hardline Taliban militant group. The execution video has renewed concerns that enough is not being done to protect women, particularly from so-called honor killings, which were common during the Taliban regime that ruled from 1996-2001.
This shocking incident underlines the continuing importance of the international community's efforts to protect and promote the rights of Afghan women. Images and reports of the Taliban's brutality were rife at the height of their power during their period of control over the country in 2001. But their removal from power has not ended their ongoing targeting of civilians, particularly women. The impending U.S. drawdown threatens to divert the international community's attention from these persistent acts of violence against women. Yet we know that sustainable peace and security for all Afghans cannot be achieved without enabling women to safely and freely be an integral part of society. Though Afghan women have made significant progress over the last decade, this recent video reminds us in graphic detail that these gains remain fragile and vulnerable to attack.
Reacting to the Taliban's deplorable behavior toward women, the international community -- with the unwavering support of then First Lady Laura Bush -- in 2003 made a worldwide outcry to focus on Afghan women's rights and access to healthcare and education. Despite the number of negative trends in Afghanistan, tremendous achievements have been gained in the health sector. Most notable is the programming on maternal health, which has contributed to a significant decline in infant and child mortality rates.
But the fact is women are caught in shifting political tides. Therefore, it is critical to ask again what does this kind of gender based violence mean for women in transition in Afghanistan, and will they increasingly find themselves in the crossfire of a non-inclusive, politically negotiated settlement?
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a firm plea this past Sunday for the rights of women in Afghanistan. Using the Tokyo Conference as her platform, she urged the international community to make sure that women are an integral part of the country's future growth. Her comments underscored the fear that recent gains for women are under threat as NATO troops leave, and Kabul seeks peace with the Taliban. Clinton asserted, "The United States believes strongly that no nation can achieve peace, stability and economic growth if half the population is not empowered,” and the way forward, "must include fighting corruption, improving governance, strengthening the rule of law (and providing) access to economic opportunity for all Afghans, especially for women." All citizens need to have the chance to benefit from and contribute to Afghanistan's progress. She added, “The United States will continue to stand strongly by the women of Afghanistan."
Comments:
| Date: Sunday, September 16, 2012 5:22 AM From: Leslie Cosgrove, Dir of Afghan Programs , OSC Ltd, Philadelphia PA USA |
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As Director of Afghan Programs, I am currently working in Kabul, Kandahar and Herat. Here in Kabul, I share my mid day meal with the Afghan women working here. At first, we only had a small table in the large dining room, and we huddled together and spoke softly. Some of the men felt that it was not appropriate for men and women in the same room eating, so one area was curtained off for those men. But they still “complained” saying the women should be in a room separate. From a Western perspective, it is the men complaining. From a cultural perspective, the few men complaining were in fact stating that the women are entitled to a separate room, for respect and separatism. I didn’t quite understand until after a number of days, I became more aware of the openness of the women’s talk, the camaraderie and, then, the laughter. Afghan women have a deep and animated laugh that fills the room. Their laughter is rich and engaging, making you smile even when you have no idea what is being said. The women have told me that they do not wish to go outside because it makes them feel uneasy. There are only men on the outside and they do not like being out there alone. When they do out, to work, to university, etc. they go in a group and in a vehicle, if possible. Walking is not a good option, as it makes them feel awkward. Because they are covered from neck to ankles and hair on up, they say men are always looking for their exposed skin and staring at their hands, or feet or a bit of neck underneath a scarf. For them it is the same as a women wearing a skimpy bikini and staring. In fact, I would venture that less men stare at skimpy bikinis and many more stare at a small exposed bit of skin here. It is almost the exact opposite affect than what is meant in terms of covering of women. The women themselves feel that is causing more attention than if they were to go uncovered. It was an interesting discussion and from a totally women’s perspective. And I have the privilege of having these discussions on an almost daily basis when I am in country. |