For long period in history and especially for the past quarter of a
century the Afghan
women suffered and the world watched.
Women consisting of at least one half of the population and often more
than fifty percent
of Afghans have toiled equally and sometimes more in the social and
economic life of
the country. In the countryside, women have contributed directly and
even physically to
the tilling of the land in the Afghan agrarian society. They have taken
care of their
families and consorts and have engaged in production and handicrafts
to further the
economy of the family and the society.
But in return the society has deprived them of the right to equal education
and equal
status with men and treated as second hand citizens. This injustice
has gone on for
many years without being acknowledged.
In cities, a small percentage of women was accorded the opportunity
to acquire
education and even a smaller percentage found its way into the professional
positions
while majority remained subservient to the needs of their menfolk.
Then came the war, and it claimed many lives of men who served as direct
bread
earners for the families. This additional burden increased the suffering
of women
making them directly responsible for raising their families and catering
to the needs of
their children. Doing all this at war time is no joke and many do not
comprehend the
difficulties that are imposed on single parent families where the parent
is a woman and
the whole environment is hostile. Imposition of additional restrictions
and burdens like
limiting possibilities for women to work outside the home and limitation
in going outside
even to hospitals for medical care, banned under Taleban unless the
woman was
accompanied by a close male relative preferably her husband, made life
extremely
difficult. At war time, many did not have their husbands with them and
many had lost
their husbands and loved ones to the war. These situations prompted
many including
this scribe to salute, several years ago, in an article on the international
women's day
and dedicate a flower for the women of Kabul.
Today, many organizations, governments and the UN system as a whole
pretend to be
more aware than anytime of the injustice shown Afghan women and favor
restitution and
assistance in order to empower women to achieve their full status in
a society that has
traditionally served the needs of men. Many of these organizations,
however, use the
name of women in order to promote their own selfish goals and to raise
money as
money is easily raised for the cause of women.
On the positive side, many organizations and world famous personalities
including Mrs.
Jay Leo wife of the famous American talk show host and comedian, Mrs.
George W.
Bush the US first lady and others, in functions and meetings tried to
let the world hear
about the plight of the Afghan women.
There is no doubt that the objective of full restoration of women's
rights is a noble goal.
It is also to be understood that this goal needs to be achieved in phases
as its
achievement overnight is not possible due to the many obstacles on the
ground. This
requires planning and in every process of planning setting of priorities
must be among
the first steps to be taken. These priorities should include first and
foremost education.
Educated women can empower other women in their societies much more
readily. But
education in itself is a long term process. It is therefore important
to simultaneously take
up projects that boost the power of production of women and thus help
them
economically not only to survive the harsh uncertain economic period
but to be able to
cater to the needs of their children as a great number of women in Afghanistan
today are
widows as a result of the protracted war. This entails providing them
with vocational
education and occupational knowledge and tools. So that by finding suitable
employment
or engaging in productive businesses of their own their suffering would
be eased
somewhat.
Luckily there is a department of Women's Affairs in the framework of
the transitional
government. The organization could be helped and empowered to render
the needed
assistance and help. It is therefore logical for the donor agencies
to go through this
organization in rendering their help rather than haphazard uncoordinated
services.
Many NGO's, that first learn techniques of fund raising already know
that it is easier to
raise funds in the name of women and children.there is also no doubt
that this fact has
been overused by many. This means that there should not be a dirth of
funds in this
area. What is lacking is clear priority based plans for improvement
of the lot of women
and meeting their social , educational and health needs. Under world
pressure many
schools have been opened for girls. This is welcome and must be encouraged
further
into all of the provinces and not only in big cities which is the case
at present.
Afghan women have suffered additionally because of lack of health and
medical services
taken for granted in many countries of the world. One of the most important
health
service required, especially in a third world country like Afghanistan,
is facilities to cater
to the pre and post natal conditions of women and provide for safe delivery
of children at
childbirth.
Today majority of maternal deaths occur during, prior and immediately
after deliveries for
want of hospital beds and trained personnel. As a matter of fact maternal
mortality in
Afghanistan is one of the highest in the world. These deaths are preventable.
In
addition there is a need for provision of food for the needy and shelter
for the homeless
that are unfortunately many because of the effects of war and the resulting
miseries.
On the other hand all activity that is not goal oriented and does not
meet the objectives
set by the national authorities must be tamed and brought in line with
national plans.
On this international day of women, it is appropriate to salute the
women of Afghanistan
and to wish them freedom from the shackles of poverty and injustice.
It is also to wish
them prosperity along with all the women in the world without whom there
would no
world as we know it, 03/08/03