Independent Women's Forum - Research Areas > Women in Afghanistan

Even After Taliban, Violence Against Women Remains

info@iwf.org (Halima Karzai) — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:18:00 EDT

The brutal treatment of Afghan women at the hands of the Taliban became common knowledge in 2001 when the United States removed the brutal regime from power. The Taliban stood out for aggressively and publicly oppressing and abusing women. Yet oppression and violence against Afghan women existed well before the Taliban era and continues to exist today.

After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, when many internal factions were fighting amongst each other for power, women bore the brunt of sexual, physical, and psychological abuses. The individuals from those factions are today's warlords and in spite of being among the worst human rights violators - they sit in very high level official seats today. They are making decisions that again affect the lives of the poor Afghan grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and sisters who they do not recognize as human beings.

There has been significant progress for Afghan women on many levels since the fall of the Taliban. Yet today over 80 percent of women throughout the country continue to suffer from domestic violence. And the challenge isn't limited to domestic violence, but also societal and state violence.

While laws are in place to protect women, they hardly function in practice. A woman who attempts to escape domestic violence or who is raped often finds herself and her young children sharing a jail cell with food and clothing for only the mother.

Human trafficking is also a problem in Afghanistan. Women and young children are often sold into prostitution or forced labor. Although they have been forcibly trafficked, survivors are often imprisoned for adultery or lewd conduct. If they are children, they are put into orphanages, only to be victimized more. There are no efforts made towards their rehabilitation or reunification with their families.

Unfortunately, this is all too often not the exception but the continuing norm, and constitutes a failure of the justice system in Afghanistan.

There are several national and international laws in place to protect specific rights of Afghan women, but the biggest barrier to the effective implementation of these laws is cultural and tribal traditions that limit women's understanding of and willingness to make use of those laws.

Involving men is an important step to truly empowering Afghan women. Afghanistan is a patriarchal society that will take decades, if not centuries, to change. For the time, due to oppressive social norms, men are often reluctant to allow their wives to leave the home, let alone to explore the possibility of working. However, there are several progressive programs in various provinces run by local civil society organizations that include both women and men. For example, couples can attend literacy classes together. These types of programs help in couples jointly advancing their family and life, and encourage a greater sense of equality.

These civil institutions are the key to long term change. Societal change, as well as a specific commitment to helping Afghan women obtain access to the information, as well as facilities and resources will be necessary to address the problem of domestic violence and other violence against women and to help cultivate a greater respect for women as individuals.

The Afghan government and international community have laid an excellent foundation for the critical work that needs to be done for the advancement of women's socio-political rights, however, much work remains to be done in the recognition and enforcement of human rights laws.

Dying Together

info@iwf.org (Halima Karzai) — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:36:00 EDT

The article "If we die, we will die together," in quqnoos.com highlights one of several thousand stories occurring in Afghanistan today. The sky rocketing prices of wheat and rice and the food shortage crisis is forcing families to sell their children so that they can make their ends meet.

Mother's plea to husband who sold daughters for food and water
"If we die, we will die together."

These were the words a Kabul mother used to beg her husband to buy back her two children who he sold to buy food for his starving family.

The mother of six told Quqnoos.com that her husband sold her two daughters, aged four and two, because he could not afford to buy drinking water for his family.

"My husband said, ‘I'm going to sell these children to provide food for our other children'. But I said, ‘if we die we will die together' I can't stand to see my children with another family."

The husband agreed to buy back her two young daughters after she screamed at him for days.

One of the girls' brothers said: "When my father took my sisters off to sell them I was crying but I know my father did this because he had to."

One of the sisters said: "We don't have money to buy food: that is why my father sold my two sisters."

The husband said Kabul council had bulldozed their previous home and failed to provide his family with a new home, depsite numerous promises.

The family now lives in the capital's Kai Khana area, where they rent a house close to the Presidential Palace.

Over the last month, the cost of bread has doubled in some parts of the country. America warned last week that the rising cost of wheat, the lack of rain and export bans on flour to Afghanistan will likely increase the risk of serious food shortages in the country.

The US government's development agency, USAID, also predicts a below-average wheat harvest next month because crops have had about 50-90% less water than last year.

Provinces such as Ghor, Badghis, Daykundi, Badakhshan, Faryab, Urzgan, Zabul, Wardak, and Logar are most at risk from food shortages, the agency said.

The hike in the cost of wheat is most pronounced in Faizabad, Badakhshan, where prices are 157% higher than the five year average, Mazar-e-Sharif (151% above average), and Herat (13% above average). Since January, the cost of bread in Kabul has risen from Afg6 to Afg20 in some parts of the city.

Video of IWF's Securing Afghanistan Event

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:29:00 EST

In late January, IWF hosted a delegation of senior women leaders from Afghanistan. The forum: "Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women," addressed what Afghan women can do to promote peace and security in their country.

A video of the event is available here.

IWF Event: Securing Afghanistan

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:01:00 EST

The Independent Women's Forum hosted a delegation of senior women leaders from Afghanistan on Thursday, January 24th at the National Press Club in Washington, DC from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The forum: "Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women," addressed what Afghan women can do to promote peace and security and to nurture civil society amid increasing instability and a renewed insurgency. IWF is honored to give these courageous women who know first hand what challenges women in Afghanistan face, an opportunity to address a Washington audience.

Podcast Alert: Security in Afghanistan

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:36:00 EST

In the latest IWF podcast, Anne Trenolone and I discuss security issues in Afghanistan. Give it a listen here.

IWF Podcast: Women and Security in Afghanistan

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) info@iwf.org (Anne Trenolone) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:21:00 EST

Allison Kasic and Anne Trenolone discuss the status of women's rights and security in Afghanistan.

Spotlight on Afghan Women and Security

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:18:00 EST

Over at The Examiner, Rachel Blackmon Bryars writes about our recent event featuring prominent Afghan women. Bryars agrees with the notion that women's rights in the Middle East is a national security concern:

The United States has devoted extensive effort to supporting women's equality in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan through humanitarian assistance programs. What our policy-makers fail to recognize is that Muslim women's rights is more than a human rights concern. It is a national security issue with far-reaching implications for our future.
Muslim women's voices can help us win the war against terror by tempering their societies long-term. Many quasi-democracies of mostly male-participants are overly influenced by extremism and do not benefit from half the population's input.
In other words, the hand that rocks the cradle could also moderate the nation...

More here.

More on women and security in Afghanistan here.

Ariana TV: Securing Afghanistan

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:44:00 EST

Afghan television station Ariana TV covered IWF's panel discussion "Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women." The following is in Pashto.

Podcast Alert: Poppy Cultivation

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:22:00 EST

Over at the podcast page, Halima Karzai and I talk about poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. Give it a listen here.

The paper we reference in the podcast is available here.

IWF Podcast: Poppy Cultivation

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) info@iwf.org (Halima Karzai) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:30:00 EST

IWF's Allison Kasic and Halima Karzai discuss the challenges of curbing poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

Women and Security in Afghanistan

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:37:00 EST

In the latest IWF policy brief, Anne Trenolone addresses issues related to women and security in Afghanistan. Anne makes the case that:

Outside nations can debate troop levels and tactics, but the long-term solution is to train a sustainable domestic force among Afghans themselves.
Women's human rights contribute not only to civil society but to international security as well.
Afghanistan's security issues must be faced but policies must also be framed that keep long-term institution building in mind if the Afghan state is to be truly strengthened.
If progress is to be made and stability, security, and development achieved, Afghanistan must not be relegated to the back burner of international and development policy.

Read the whole report here.

IWF Policy Brief: Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:42:00 EST

In a new IWF policy brief, Halima Karzai tackles an important topic: poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. Among other things, Halima makes the case that:

Legalizing poppy cultivation would undermine security throughout Afghanistan, the fight to Al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists, and efforts to rebuild a democracy.
The Afghan government and international community need to develop a long-term strategy for alternatives to poppy production. Failure to do so will impede the country's progress.
Legalization would not limit unlawful access to poppies for the intent of selling and distributing narcotics illegally.

Read the whole report here.

Afghanistan is Still VERY Important

info@iwf.org (Anne Trenolone) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:47:00 EST

Tying-in to the IWF event today here in Washington Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women, I wanted to highlight an article from the Globe and Mail in Canada, "Being in Afghanistan is Dangerous, not being in Afghanistan is even more Dangerous". It's an Op-ed so it is by no means unbiased, but it illustrates the need for nations such as Canada and the United States and Britain and Norway to not give up on efforts in Afghanistan.

It also illustrates the need for high profile leaders such as the UN Secretary General to call attention to the continuing plights of Afghanistan. It is important to stay engaged in order to help ensure that the same factors that following Soviet withdrawal lead to the creation of the Taliban regime and what became a prime breeding ground for terrorists in central Asia are not repeated. In addition to the event, for those of you not in DC, two new policy briefs on Afghanistan are forthcoming this week.

Media Advisory: AFGHAN WOMEN DETAIL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN AFGHANISTAN

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:47:00 EST

* * MEDIA ADVISORY * *

For Immediate Release: Contact: Kate Pomeroy
January 23, 2008 202-631-6704 or kate.pomeroy@iwf.org

AFGHAN WOMEN DETAIL SECURITY CHALLENGES IN AFGHANISTAN
Visiting leaders join forum to discuss impact on civil society and directions for the future

Washington, DC - The Independent Women's Forum is honored to host a delegation of senior women leaders from Afghanistan. This forum, "Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women," will give insight into the challenges Afghan women face and how Afghan women can contribute to a more secure Afghanistan.

"As Afghans and the international community become increasingly concerned about Afghanistan's future, we are reminded of how security is a key essential to Afghanistan's long term development," said Halima Karzai, Associate Director for Foreign Policy and International Women's Issues at the Independent Women's Forum.

This forum is free and open to the public/media.

WHEN:          Thursday, January 24, 2008
TIME:            2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:        National Press Club - 529 14^th Street, NW,
                       First Amendment Lounge, Washington, D.C.

Featuring:
Orzala Ashraf, Founder and Senior Advisor for Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan
Shukria Barakzai, Member of Parliament, National Assembly, Afghanistan
Dr. Nadera Hayat Burhani, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Public Health, Afghanistan
Wazhma Frogh, Senior Gender Advisor, Canadian International Development Agency
Shahgul Rezaie, Member of Parliament, National Assembly, Afghanistan

For additional information on "Securing Afghanistan," or to schedule an interview with one of the experts, please contact Kate Pomeroy at kate.pomeroy@iwf.org /202-631-6704.

###

The Independent Women's Forum is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) research and educational institution. Founded in 1992, IWF focuses on issues of concern to women, men, and families. Our mission is to rebuild civil society by advancing economic liberty, personal responibility, and political freedom. IWF builds support for a greater respect for limited governmnet, equality under the law, property rights, free markets, strong families, and a powerful and effective national defense and foreign policy. IWF is home to some of the nation's most influential scholars-women who are committed to promoting and defending economic opportunity and political freedom.

IWF Event Alert: Securing Afghanistan

info@iwf.org (Allison Kasic) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:56:00 EST

Here's the scoop on the next IWF event:

The Independent Women's Forum is hosting a delegation of senior women leaders from Afghanistan on Thursday, January 24^that the National Press Club in Washington, DC from 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. The forum: "Securing Afghanistan: The Role of Women," will address what Afghan women can do to promote peace and security and to nurture civil society amid increasing instability and a renewed insurgency. IWF is honored to give these courageous women who know first hand what challenges women in Afghanistan face, an opportunity to address a Washington audience.

More info and registration instructions here.

Afghan Women Take Bold Step Toward a Unified Movement

info@iwf.org (Halima Karzai) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:48:00 EST

For the past three decades, women in Afghanistan continue to be primary victims of violence as a result of ongoing instability and war throughout the country. Yesterday, tired of ongoing bloodshed and brutality, hundreds of Afghan women from several provinces throughout Afghanistan risked their lives to join the Women's National Peace Prayer.

The BBC reports:

"'This is very unusual,' said Rangina Hamidi one of the organisers, who argues that the event shows the unity of Afghan women.

'I don't think this has happened in the history of Afghanistan - first of all the fact that six different provinces organised themselves together, for no purpose other than peace.

They made the same loud cry - that women are sick and tired of killing and the deaths that come.'

... those attending the event in the violence-torn province of Kandahar were particularly happy and relieved that their public meeting passed off without threats or violence."

Yes, There are Still Women in Afghanistan and Iraq: And They Still Need Our Support

info@iwf.org (Anne Trenolone) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:37:00 EDT

On the international side of things here at IWF we have for quite some time been working on issues related to the rights of women in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Last night on the Fox News Channel, on Hannity & Colmes to be exact, these women and their rights crept slowly and quietly into the 2008 presidential campaign dialog.

During a joint interview with Fred Thompson and Jeri Thompson, she offered these words:

"The one thing that I might express if I have the opportunity and since you are allowing me to do that, is that it does seem surprising to me that there isn't more coverage of women's rights in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Iran."

I would agree it is a topic that has faded into the background a bit. Social and political barriers facing women in Iraq remain today and in many ways are exacerbated by the ongoing conflict surrounding them. Traditional ideas about the role of women in society predominate. An ongoing struggle remains as religious extremists attempt to curtail women's roles and rights in society.

And in Afghanistan even with the legal barriers removed requiring women to wear the Burqa and with young girls attending school, challenges remain. The Taliban and its supporters have focused on the destruction of schools in an effort to deter attendance and push girls back into their homes. Some girls' schools in more dangerous provinces have even gone back underground. But what I would add is that women in Afghanistan are far from being victims. They are a vibrant, reticent group. And while they may still navigate their society with an abundance of caution under the cover of their blue burqas, they are out on the streets, they are working, they are making money and they are striving to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Is this strive to improve their lives the picture of progress we may have envisioned as westerners (particularly western women), where women throw off their burqas, embrace jeans and t-shirts on the streets and defy anyone to get in their way, no...but it is a start. As I have said on this blog before, change will come slowly.

Click here to reach the video link to the second portion of a three part interview posted on foxnews.com and hear these comments first hand or click here for the transcript.

*As a note, I inserted the text marked (inaudible) on the transcript because essentailly, it's easier to transcribe a few sentences than an entire interview :)