Women's Rights In Afghanistan

Nineteen years after her engagement, thirty year old Sutara was brutally stabbed by her

husband for not handing over her possessions for drug money. Her husband cut off her nose and mutilated her face. Sadly, this is the case for many Afghan women who face discrimination and harsh, unjust treatment. For thousands of years, Islamic women have been thought of as subordinates to men and treated as such. Although most everybody in the Western world agrees on this issue, yet many Muslims in the Middle East think otherwise. Because of their religion and culture, these people truly believe that men are superior to women, primarily because of their religion. By having an education, women in Afghanistan are able to defend their domestic treatment and

civil status.
Despite the absence of a forceful and prominent Taliban influence, the Afghan government is doing little to gain rights for women. During the time of Taliban control, between 1996 and 2001, women in Afghanistan had little to no rights. An article written by RAWA explains how some of the most extreme laws during the Taliban's reign were bans on women being treated by male doctors, unless accompanied and with the permission of a blood relative male or husband, a ban on women speaking loudly in public, and the requirement of a burqa (“Some of the Restrictions”). Although Islamic religion grants men far more many rights than females, the Taliban takes that idea to a whole new level, placing severe and unjust rules and
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punishments upon women.

Upon the removal of the Taliban in 2001, the Afghan government has actually passed laws that essentially turn women into sex slaves for their husbands. Article 132 in Afghanistan's constitution states, “As long as the husband is not traveling, he has the right to have sexual intercourse with his wife every fourth night. Unless the wife is ill or has any kind of illness that intercourse could aggravate, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband” (“Afghan Law Legalizes Rape”). This obscene law, passed in 2009, allows for what is essentially rape, as the women has no consent or rights on the matter. By passing this law, it has become evident that women rights are slipping, and could possibly return to the level they were at during the Taliban rule. With the government doing little to aid the situation that nearly sixteen million women face everyday, the few rights women see today could be gone in the future, just as they were less than twenty years

ago.
Women in Afghanistan face some of the worst domestic environments throughout the world.

Domestic violence occurs all too often because girls are married or engaged too early. An article written by Trust in Education explains how nearly 60% of girls are married off at age sixteen, where most are then used as nothing more than sex slaves for their husbands. From a young age, these girls are taught that they are half as much, if not less, than the man. Regrettably, most child marriages result in rape and further domestic violence because of the authority the man posses over the woman (Life as an Afghan woman). In Afghanistan, men beating women for the slightest step out of line is common place. Because of the extremely patriarchal countries laws and religion, the ability to beat a woman is praised, and sometimes even encouraged. Sura 4:34 declares, “But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once

more],
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seek no means against them” (“Al-Qur'an Al-Kareem -The Holy Quran”). This kind of treatment of women is illogical and unjust. There is also no set means as to when the man can beat the women. Unfortunately, changing the scripture of a religion is impossible, due to the sacredness of the Quran and the stigma surrounding it. Clearly, domestic violence and abuse is extremely prevalent in Afghanistan, where few measures can be put in place to prevent the excessive amounts of abuse these women go through because of the religion they claim to.
A lack of education and health care aid in the mistreatment of women in public and by the government. Afghan women face some of the poorest health care options and availability in the world. UNICEF emphasizes in an article about health care for women, “For every 100,000 live births, 460 women will die in childbirth or pregnancy” (Madhok). Afghanistan also is home to the worst infant mortality rate on the planet, with 113 deaths per every 1,000 births. (“The World Factbook: AFGHANISTAN”) These extremely high statistics are astonishing compared to the rest of the world, largely because of the lack of education and resources these women receive. By providing women with a complete and formal education, they can offer much more to society and gain more rights for themselves. Trust in Education also addresses how sadly, 85% of women have no formal education. Nearly 79% of women are illiterate (“Life as an Afghan woman”). According to Weafghanistan, “Equal education for boys and girls has been shown to increase productivity and GNP/GDP of a country; but education for girls, in particular, results in more sustainable families, income growth and eventually democracy. It reduces domestic violence and it increases the participation of girls and women in society, enables them to earn a livable income, encourages them to become active citizens, and influences the broader development of tolerance throughout society” (The Importance of Women and Girls' Education).
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Luckily, education is the answer for these women. An education empowers them to fight for what they deserve, and prevent them from domestic abuse and complete dependency on their husbands. An education provides women with a chance for change and equality, which we see more and more of today. Although education is the way out for nearly all women, a different type of education is taking place. Madrasas, or Islamic religious schools, teach women the Quran. At these Madrassas, the women memorize the Quran from 6:30am to 4 pm. The classes are taught by a male teacher who is not allowed contact with the students, but instead sits behind a curtain, out of sight from the girls. The article, “The Rise of Fundamentalist Madrassas in Northern Afghanistan” illustrates the truth about Madrassas and the oppression they encourage written by Ella O’Neill explains how these religious schools keep girls in the dark and with a low literacy level, provided with only enough instruction to read the scriptures. Interviews with parents of girls in the Madrassas featured in the documentary, The Girls of the Taliban, illustrate how the schools brainwash their children into subservience. (O’Neill) This type of education keeps girls from knowing math, science, literacy, and sociology, all of which could help them achieve equality and the same freedoms men do. Instead, the Madrassas prevent girls from speaking out and becoming independent. With proper education and medical, women in Afghanistan could greatly improve their standing in the country, giving themselves a chance at a better life.
By having an education, women in Afghanistan are able to defend their domestic treatment and civil status. The oppressive conditions that Afghan women face every day should not be tolerated any longer. With a better education, improvement can be made to their status and wellbeing of life. Imagine a world where nobody lives in fear. A world where woman can walk outside her home, and not fear for her life.