According to Malalai Joya’s biography, Afghan women are much more limited in carrying out their agency than Western women. This is due to the interpretation of the Islamic law by the Taliban, and the fact that the warlords supporting their views were put into power by the US government. Agency is understood as the power people have to think for themselves and carry out actions to create the path of their own lives. The agency of women varies throughout countries around the world depending on a range of circumstances, but all women have the ability to think for themselves and have the knowledge to fight for their rights. When considering the circumstances in Afghanistan, the US government’s actions established an identity of the Afghan women …show more content…
However, the US halted the progress of this goal by constructing orientalism towards the Afghan women. In this case, orientalism is the socially constructed idea that Western women were superior to Afghan women, and that the religious sporting of the veil only meant that these women were oppressed and powerless without the help of the US. In reality, the Afghan women embrace the veil as a part of their culture, and do not wish to be reformed by society’s views on the way they dress. For example, when Britain Prime Minister Toby Blair required Muslims to integrate into British society, Muslims peacefully refused and responded by causing the stores to sell out of headscarves (Ewig 2015). Only the Afghan women know the extent of their own struggles, and should have limitless agency to resolve them. Joya indicates that in the eyes of the US government, “women’s rights were merely the pretext, and not the real motivation, for the war” (Joya 2009, 193). The US used orientalism to portray these women as hidden and powerless as an excuse to take control over Afghan foreign …show more content…
The Taliban has made education unattainable for Afghan women. Although Joya had set up secret schools for women, they all lived in fear and risked being punished for trying to gain knowledge. At this same time period between the late 20th and early 21st century, in contrast, women of the West were given the same amount of education as men. This provided the women with the knowledge to have a better chance at getting involved in politics and making a difference in gender equality. At this point, the women in Afghanistan, without the knowledge of law or politics, had only the agency to know that they have an entitlement to be treated like humans that are able to make their own decisions just as men are. Despite the limited agency due to their lack of education, Afghan women were overall better equipped to fight for their rights as opposed to the US government. This is especially true when considering the Afghan women’s major goal in contrast to the United State’s focus. The Afghan women’s major concern was the liberation of women, while the United States centered their intervention on improving the stability and economic growth of Afghanistan “lecture”. As it can be seen throughout the Second Wave of feminism in the US, women acquired rights by working together in collective groups demanding equal job opportunities and political representation (Ewig
The Taliban regime was infamous for its treatment of women. Windows had to be painted black so men could not look into the windows of houses and see the women inside. Women were unable to work. Under Taliban rule, women were not allowed to be educated, unable to go to school or university. 9 out of 10 Afghan women are illiterate. Unfortunately, Meena was unwillingly cast into the role of teacher to young girls who wanted to learn how to read. Because she had been to university, girls flocked to...
It is difficult to realize the harsh standards and obligations imposed upon women of different cultures. It is especially disappointing to note that women whom may seek to relieve themselves of such discriminatory practices, face little to no government support in terms of fighting inequality. Such as distinguished in text The War Against Feminism, women of Algeria must fight against patriarchal and incredibly sexist political movements, such as the “Islamic Salvation Front,” which although was banned, had won an election and the promotion of their platform’s ideas despite their notions consisting of extreme patriarchal views and their actual assassinations of individuals not compliant with their beliefs. I also strongly agreed with the United Nations decision to aid individuals from fear of the Taliban, in their stating of refusing to continue aid to Afghanistan if intense cruel practices were to continue. The interference of other government agencies in helping to promote the end of cruelty, such as was occurring by the Taliban, act as great movement of defiance against
For some women wearing a veil is not something that is forced on them but rather a choice of their own. Martha Nussbaum and Maysan Haydar are both authors that try to explain their reasoning that veiling isn't an oppressive tool used against women. Martha Nussbaum's article “Veiled Threats”, is a political and philosophical take on why banning the burqa is a violation of human rights. On the other hand Maysan Haydar’s article “Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering”, is a more humorous and personal take on why veiling shouldn't be as judged or stereotyped. Though Nussbaum and Haydar have equal goals this essay is being used to understand the main argument, claims and whether or not each article has any weaknesses.
One of the main controversies in this book is the plight of women and men’s struggles. Although both experienced different kinds of inequalities, women were the target of the Taliban. In 1978, women in Kabul were demanding their rights during the Afghan Women’s Year. The president who was in charge then was president Daoud, and he decreed, “The Afghan woman has the same right as the Afghan man to exercise personal freedom, choose a career, and fins a partner in marriage” (53). This decree was absolutely invalid when the Taliban expelled a humanitarian organization that was run by women, and because of that, the Taliban took over Kabul. Women were not allowed to work outside of home. Because of that, Latifa mentions that women in Kabul usually just bake bread, do embroidery,
Governments often claim that they are helping women gain equality when they invade and impress their values on other cultures. In “Feminism as Imperialism”, Katharine Viner states that “Bush cut off funding to international family planning organizations [and then claimed he] bombed Afghanistan to liberate the women from the burkas” (1). However, the problem with wars claiming to “save” women is that the majority of the time women are just becoming victims of western misogyny as opposed to eastern misogyny (Viner, 2). Just because some women choose to wear head coverings doesn’t make them repressed, “liberation for [Afghani women] does not encompass destroying their identity, religion, or culture and many of them want to retain the veil” (Viner, 2). Therefore, using women to justify war is counterproductive because it still represses women and ignores what the women actually
The three very basic rights in America that are not given to Afghan women are marriage, education and speech. Marriage in America is a choice, however in Afghanistan it is more of a business deal for the family. “80 percent of marriages in poor rural areas are either forced or arranged” (Life as an Afghan Woman). The father’s voice in a family overshadows the female leaving her with no say in a life long marriage. If a woman refuses to marry the man she is paired up with she will be punished for her rebellious actions. On the same hand, going to school is not as easy as it is here in America. All women in America are given the privilege by law to attend school free of charge, while it is much more difficult for an Afghan woman to receive an education. “ Only 40% of Afghan girls attend elementary school, and only one in 20 girls attend school beyond the sixth grade” (Life as an Afghan woman). Loads of families aren’t provided with option to attend school while others do not allow their women to receive an education because they are afraid their daughter will be punished for anything she does and could be killed on the way to school. Not only can women not get married and go to school without worries, but also they are not allowed to speak out for themselves in public. In Afghanistan people are allowed to practice their beliefs of any kind but any acts of
The Taliban are still in power in many parts of the country, denying people the rights they deserve, and committing crimes against humanity. Women’s rights are nowhere near where they should be, they are treated like property, because that is how the culture sees women, there is violent acts committed on girls when they try to stand up for themselves, and people don't speak up against this ugly truth, nearly as much as they should as fellow human beings.
Throughout recent history, Afghanistan has been a country in turmoil. Famine, drought, civil war and Taliban rule have all had a significant impact on the Afghani people. While this has taken a very negative toll on all Afghan people, I believe, that none have been more negatively impacted than the women of Afghanistan. Having said that, not everything the Western world deems as a negative is also considered negative by the women and men of Afghanistan. One only has to read this quote, “Wearing the burqua is not mandatory, but few women are rushing to remove them” (Germani 14). While the Taliban and al-Qaida’s rule had a great negative impact from 1996-2001 and obviously oppressive to all Afghani women. They were not the sole source of oppression felt by the Afghan females as stated in this quote, “The roots of patriarchal oppression go deep in Afghan society - far deeper than the Taliban or al-Qaida.”(Rostami-Povey, E. 2007)
They are involved in politics, before they were not allowed to be doing the things that are doing today. from getting help and a lot of effort these women's lives have changed. According to Afghan Women Seeing Hope in the Ballot Box. “ many women are quick to note that little has changed outside of the cities; in rural Afghanistan, where most women live, women are still more than property to their brothers, fathers and husbands.” The quote is saying that even though the Taliban is not in control anymore, in the rural areas nothing has changed. Theses women are still being treated bad and are not allowed to do anything. women in small places still belong to their families. According to Christina Lamb in Afghan Women Dread Departure of U.S. Forces. “ The situation for women is very bad, even for women like me in positions of power.”(Lamb). The quote is saying that even though some of the rules have changed for women, some women are still in danger. the women who speak out or are apart of
Since the starting years for ladies in Afghan have had for all intents and purposes no rights or opportunities. The effect of the Taliban forced restraint was most intensely felt in urban areas where ladies had delighted in moderately more important opportunities. At the point when the Taliban assumed control, ladies were not permitted to go to class and others have been compelled to leave their employments. The Taliban had issued orders denying ladies from working
This book by A. Widney Brown and LeShawn R.Jefferson reflects on the negative impacts of different Talib decrees on the overall development Afghan women.
Lila Abu-Lughod’s article titled, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?” takes a closer look at the problematic ethnocentric approach many have when trying to gain an understanding of another culture that may be foreign to that individual. In this analytical paper, Lughod looks at women in Islam, specifically the treatment of women and how it might be utilized as a justification for invading into a country and liberating its people. The country Lughod refers to in her article is Afghanistan, and Lughod points out the misunderstanding from the people to the Bush administration like First Lady Laura Bush who believed that intervention was necessary to free women from the captivity of their own homes. It is important to consider the role that different lenses play into all of this, especially when one’s lenses are being shaped by the media. Depictions of covered women secluded from society leave a permanent image in the minds of many, who would then later support the idea of liberation. This paper will discuss that the practice of using propaganda when referring to the lifestyle in the Middle East is not exclusive to the U.S; rather it has been utilized throughout history. Additionally, we will take a closer look on the importance of symbols, such as veils in this case; help to further emphasize the cause to liberate. Finally, we will analyze Lughod’s plea towards cultural relativism and away from liberal imperialism.
In his novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, Khaled Hosseini skillfully illustrates many aspects of Afghan culture to the reader. The novel explores the struggles that have plagued Afghanistan, and how they have affected the lives of its people. Through the story’s two narrators, Mariam and Laila, the reader is presented with examples of how the nation’s culture has changed over time. Through “A Thousand Splendid Suns” Khaled Hosseini emphasizes the struggle in the area between traditional beliefs and progressive changes, specifically as they relate to women’s rights. Throughout history it has been shown these that progressive reforms are unable to coincide with strict Islamic beliefs.
...a visit with Aziza, Laila saw a middle-aged woman, with her burqa pushed back…Laila recognized the sharp face… Laila remembered this woman once forbidding the female students from covering, saying women and men were equal, that there was no reason for women should cover if men didn’t” (322). To see a woman who was as close to a feminist as a woman in Afghanistan could get, to see her fall to level that the government wanted her at was crucial point in the novel that allowed us to really see the affect that the government had on the women in controlling every aspect of their lives.
The novel A Thousand Splendid Suns explores the plight of women in Afghanistan; the focus is put on three women Nana, Mariam and Laila. Women in Afghanistan often face difficult and unfortunate situations. In this essay we will examine some of these unfortunate situations for women.