Women in AfghanistanBy: Madison Bradley

Social System In Afghanistan • Afghanistan has a patriarchy, which means “rule of the

fathers”. • In this social system, the male is the primary authority figure,

and makes decisions for their women, children, and property (“Understanding Patriarchy” page 1)

• “life was—and in many ways still is—organized around the code known as Pashtunwali, the "way of the Pashtun." The foundation of Pashtunwali is a man's honor, judged by three possessions—zar (gold), zamin (land), and zan (women)” (“Afghan Women”)

Marriage• In Afghanistan, a women’s greatest and most important role is

to get married. • “More than 50% of Afghan girls are married or engaged by 10.

Almost 60% of girls are married by 16” (“Life As”). • Many marriages in Afghanistan are arranged, and most often

the husband is much older than the wife. • Arranged marriage can be used to pay debts, or if the family is

poor, they will force their daughter into an arranged marriage so that they do not have to pay for her cost of living (“Life As”)

Bibi Aisha has been abused by her husband since she married him, at age 12. One night when she tried to escape to her neighbor’s house he punished her by cutting off her hair, both ears, and her nose (“Afghan Women”).

Political Influence (During Taliban)• When the Taliban ruled (1996-2001), women’s rights in

Afghanistan were basically non-existent, and they were considered property.

• They could not have a job, leave their house without a male escort, had to be completely covered, and could not seek medical help from male doctors (“The Plight”).

Photo: Galuna.com News

After the Taliban• Since the fall of the Taliban (late 2001) women have regained

some of their rights including:• Being able to return to work • They are no longer forced to completely cover

themselves• can even be a part of, and take positions in the

government (“The Plight”)

Picture source: http://weaselzippers.us/2012/04/17/afghanistan-150-schoolgirls-poisoned-by-islamist-militants-opposed-to-female-education/

Corruption Still Remains • Inequality, especially in rural areas, is still prominent in

Afghanistan . Women are still forced into arranged marriage , and denied an education (“The Plight”).

Statistics:• Women in labor force: 33.1% (2009) • Females over 25 with secondary education: 5.8% (2010) • (Source: 2011 Human Development Report)

Education• Over half of the girls in Afghanistan do not attend school, and

most of the girls who do attend, will not graduate. • Girls who do attend school risk their lives, as they have been

attacked to keep them from attending. (“The Women”) • Not only have girls attending school been attacked, so have

the teachers, and in a further effort to keep girls from attending school, schools have been burned down.

• Other families believe that it is unnecessary for girls to get an education

• Education is really the only chance women have at an economic opportunity, so that they are not confined to housework(“Life as an Afghan Women” )

Legal Issues• “According to Sharia law, a female’s testimony is worth ½ that

of a man. In custody cases, children will usually be awarded to the father or grandfather. So divorce—even in extreme abuse cases—is less likely to be sought, because a woman must be prepared to lose her children” (“Life As”)

• When interviewing women in jail, over half of the women imprisoned were in there for “crimes” such as running away from a abusive husband, and having sexual intercourse without being married. (“The Women” )

Resources

"EDITORIAL; The Women of Afghanistan." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 17

Oct. 2012.

• "Life as an Afghan Woman." Trust in Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

• Pleck, Joseph, PhD. "Understanding Patriarchy and Men's Power." Understanding Patriarchy

and Men's Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

• Qazi, Abdullah. "Afghanistan Online: The Plight of the Afghan Woman." Afghanistan Online:

The Plight of the Afghan Woman. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

• Rubin, Elizabeth. "Afghan Women." - National Geographic Magazine. N.p., Dec. 2010. Web. 17

Oct. 2012.