“The Emancipation of Women in Afghanistan

imminent”

By George Danda and Khalid Sahibi

“The chain needs to be broken!”

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Abstract

From a global perspective the Beijing policy and other various international instruments

used to promote the position of women still need to translate into positive changes in

people’s daily lives, especially in developing countries. Women still remain at the lowermost

of the social hierarchy with reduced access to land, credit, health and education. Although

some of the covenants the Afghani government have sanctioned preserve property and

inheritance rights, women are still deprived of those actual rights. Compounding the

condition are setbacks such as war which is destroying the lives of women, preventing some

of the development improvements women may attain. As a result, poverty in Afghanistan

continues to clothe a woman’s face, which is disturbing that 20 years after Beijing and other

international instruments, Afghani women are much poorer.

Strategies recommended include empowering women to positions of authority, improving

girl’s education, reinvesting the current economic policy and dealing with patriarchy,

including the war and displacement. At large, the government needs to work hard in making

emancipation of women an actuality, since women are still talked as minors.

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Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 3

The position of Women in Afghanistan: Chronological Events .......................................................... 4

The circumstance of women in Afghanistan....................................................................................... 4

Hindrances continue ........................................................................................................................... 5

Way Ahead .............................................................................................................................................. 6

Educating the Girl Child ...................................................................................................................... 7

Political Empowerment ....................................................................................................................... 8

Economic policy .................................................................................................................................. 9

Political progress ............................................................................................................................... 10

Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 11

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Introduction

Following two decades of war and oppression Afghani women still have a reason to expect

change preceding the much heralded global conference that set targets to improve lives of

women and girls across the world held this year. 2015 marks the year marks the fifty-ninth

session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Succeeding this event women’s

struggles for equal rights should continue to be placed as a focal point of a more democratic

politics in Afghanistan. Significant social transformation cannot survive without the vigorous

support and influence of women. Evidently, women have been extremely involved in each

of the great social revolutions of human history, their sustenance and input has historically

often gone relatively misjudged by leaders.

The chief focus of the assembly of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including

current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality

and the empowerment of women. Comparable their equivalents elsewhere, Afghani women

are taking stock of development and asking to what extent assured reforms have been

realised.

Notwithstanding momentous contributions to ground-breaking actions, Afghani women

continue to be second-class citizens. Frequently, official male-led governments reprimand

women’s radical societies. According to Wimpelmann (2011) Afghan women had freedom

since 1919 until the Taliban government came into power in 1996. The fall of the communist

government led to the Taliban taking over who then imposed a strict form of sharia law.

Women were banned from walking alone, going to school, even wearing a full body veil in

public (Waslat). The progress of women’s rights now only lies on the security forces ability

to guarantee a larger degree of stability (Waslat; Unmüßig, 2011). In reality improving

women’s rights entirely depends on political implementation and consistency. Largely, the

main driving force remains the Afghani women otherwise a majority of the work will not be

possible.

Therefore, this report will explore why progress has been constrained in Afghanistan and

will seek for ways to overcome the difficulties.

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The position of Women in Afghanistan: Chronological Events

Abdul Rahman Khan 1880-1901 made numerous changes to improve human rights.

However, when the Russians left the mujahedeen sections started fighting against each

other (Beyhan, 2014). Consequently, when the Taliban emerged in Kandahar in 1994 they

eventually fought the mujahedeen factions and took power in Kabul in 1996. The Taliban’s

Department for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice ruthlessly enforced rules

against women and girls.

Women rights were affected and some had to escape to nearby countries while also their

participation in national issues was reduced. Gender apartheid rules were then imposed,

stripping women of their rights and females were then asked to be accompanied by a male

in a fully enveloped burqa when movement was required (Ahmed-Ghosh, 2003). Women

were frequently flogged in the streets by Taliban police for showing skin such as wrists or

ankles. Despite the fact that it became illegal for women to flee the country at this time,

large numbers of women and their families escaped Afghanistan and the Taliban’s

ruthlessness (Afghan Women’s Network, 2014).

Over the last 40 years there have been no signs of improvement in Afghanistan in

implementing the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a UN

protocol, as well as the growth of new strategies and procedures and formation of systems

of gender experts. Citing just a few cases, Afghan women still face not only extensive

poverty, but also substantial labour burdens (Athayi, 2014). Men have gained several

political advantages, yet females are still at the same place they were. Trying to inform the

Afghani powerful the undeserved and intolerable marginalization of women, which denies

them of their human rights is an important step ahead. A famous politician Sankara said,

“We do not talk of women’s emancipation as an act of charity or out of a surge of human

compassion. It is a basic necessity for the revolution to triumph’. Therefore, it is high time for

political parties to realise the need to involve women in all aspects of political decisions in

order to improve the lives of Afghani’s in the next few years.

The circumstance of women in Afghanistan

Acknowledged is the fact that Afghanistan is conventionally composed of a patriarchal

order. This means that women are not allowed to own any possessions, speak in public

particularly where men are present, or to be in positions of management. In this state a

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woman is not equivalent to her husband since there are considered as minors and

answerable under all men in the family, including their sons (ILO, 2012). Even today this

situation is still widespread in most countries in Asia. However, in different states this

phenomenon is established in diverse degrees. For example, in the urban or metropolitan

areas, masculine control is less severe than in the rural areas. This dominance of women by

men is not only restricted to cultural or employment environment, but it goes outside to the

issues of faith in the Mosque (Ilham, 2013; International Foundation for Electoral , 2014).

According to Ilham (2013) the position of rural women in terms of power relationships is

compromised in Afghanistan. Most women are reliant on their spouses and have slight

confidence due to lack of schooling. Worse still, urban and professional women display a

weak willpower towards independence in all characteristics of economic improvement, such

as building houses of their own, educating their children and being responsible single

because of culture (International Foundation for Electoral , 2014). This is a common trend as

far as countrywide socialisation is concerned, before and after the Taliban rule. Hence, one

of the present-day challenges of equality is to address the anguish of not only loosing

political power between genders, but more suggestively, the fear of societal modification

where equality of men and women is legitimate (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2004). This

anguish is caused by the fact that more women become economically autonomous and their

thoughts are being perceived (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2004). Headship necessitates

land ownership and family compassion. Nevertheless, when it comes to asset ownership,

chiefly inheritance, the situation of women in Afghanistan is grave (Maiwandi, 2014).

Afghanistan has not advanced in edifying women's rights and establishing proprietorship

rights for women as well. The excruciating experience of females who cannot own any

assets or even inherit it notwithstanding the degree to which they have worked or

contributed concerning its growth is worrying.

Hindrances continue

Despite accomplishments and progress made, Afghani women face key encounters and

difficulties. Primary development policies in Afghanistan, known as poverty reduction

policies, still do not take into elucidation variances in income and power between men and

women, hindering determinations to finance packages designed to reduce inequality

(Schirch, 2011). In addition, the bulk of Afghani women are still deprived of education and

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employment, and have limited prospects in trade, industry and government. Women are

still remaining in the position that is challenging in Afghanistan as established before (The

World Bank, 2014). It is crucial to enlighten the world the unjustified and intolerable

marginalization of women, which takes away their human rights. The Beijing Platform of

Action came out of the 1995 conference which laid out areas that required development if

the situation of women is to be improved. The areas comprise of decreasing poverty among

women, ending violence, allowing access to education and health care and minimising

economic and political disparity (UNDP, 2014).

Therefore, the Beijing platform should be used a tool to push for the implementation of

gender-sensitive policies. The Afghani government should emphasize the accountability of

all actors through a detailed discussions of objectives, attainments and failures. Promises

should no longer be sought for but action is required.

Way Ahead

According to Molyneux (1986) women’s issues are difficult and impossible to generalise

because of class religions, ethnic background, and their position in society. Molyneux (1986)

developed the term, “gender interests” to describe those in which their characteristics (men

and women) have placed them in society. The purpose of this section of the report is to

identify the correct steps to ensure women emancipation of women in Afghanistan. Various

experiences with respect to emancipation of women have revealed that no single isolated

initiative is likely to yield successful result. Laws in Afghanistan are not contrary to the

beliefs and provision of the sacred religion of Islam. According to Article 22 there is no

discrimination and privilege between all citizens. In addition, the government has declared

to abide by the UN Charter, international treaties, and conventions that Afghanistan and the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The EVAW law in August 2009 represents a

significant legislative step towards eradicating harmful practices against women.

According to the UNDP country report on Afghanistian in 2014 widespread traditional

practices in Afghanistan are inconsistent with Sharia law as Afghan and international. Most

of these practices are entrenched by the government’s inability to protect women hence

the need to accelerate the application of the law on elimination of violence against women

(Wimpelmann, 2011). Publicly emphasizing promotion and protection of women’s rights is

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an integral part of peace reintegration and reconciliation across the country and central

pillar of the country’s, economy, and security strategy (Schirch, 2011).

Educating the Girl Child

According to Beyhan (2014) the most constraining aspect is that women in Afghanistan

persist to be denied education, the only permit out of dependancy. Inequalities between

girls and boys start in primary school and the dissimilarities widen up through the complete

instructive scheme. In whole enrolment in primary education Afghanistan recorded the

lowest among regions during the previous period. Given the low amount of girls being

registered, the country is still far from the objective of reaching intake equality by the end of

2020. The total number of children out of school has worsened during the last decade

(National Legislative Bodies/National Authorities, 2009; Mosadiq, 2013). Policies specifically

targeting girls can be responsible for substantial improvements narrowing the gender gap

e.g. via sensitizing parents through the media and reducing school fees for girls in

community primary schools in country areas.

Evidence shows that girls’ enrolments rise comparative to boys as the proportion of female

teacher’s upsurges (Afghan Women’s Network, 2014; Athayi, 2014). Consequently, an

operative method of ensuring gender parity is to align the masculinity balance among

teachers, as an approach to narrow the gender gap for example in India, Zimbabwe, and

Mauritania. On the other hand countries such as Guinea engaged a wider method, making

girls’ education a nationwide significance during the early 1990s (UNDP, 2014). A number of

assessments were made after assessing the challenges faced by girls in schools such as

building latrines, assisting young pregnant students, distributing free textbooks and

increasing the number of female teachers. These initiatives then doubled the number of

girls attending school. Numerous other hurdles continue to hamper the expansion of

education in Africa. In Afghanistan war still constrains educational spending. The

government has little money to uphold existing schools or build new ones. At the family

level, families are frequently faced with the stark choice of deciding who to send to school –

and often it is the girl who remains at home (Ahmed-Ghosh, 2003; Beyhan, 2014). Costs of

schooling, the obligation to wear uniforms, travel between home and school, insufficient

water and sanitation, all aid to limit girls’ access to education (Fleschenberg & Athayi, 2013).

The gender gap has become even broader usually by the time children go through high

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school and reach college, tertiary and university levels the low participation for women

remains. Gender gaps are now particularly pronounced in all subject areas.

Numerous recommendations have been made but they can easily be seized in chaos by

patriarchist who believe that women emancipation programmes are a waste of time.

Transformation of attitudes has been considered as a serious problem. Over the last few

years in relation to gender sensitivity even if changes have taken place as these old

behaviours could result in demoralising those working for change. A major solution to this

could be extensive education for the masses. School syllabuses have to be changes to

gender neutral, also higher education material (Fleschenberg & Athayi, 2013). Patriarchal

bias should be stripped of and this must be extended to advertising.

Educating women remains important since it is much linked to change and is required in

order to build democracy. Feminist monitoring organisations which are on the lookout for

areas ignored or missed remain crucial. This may include introducing progressive cultural

organisations to develop ways to relate differently to women (Ilham, 2013). This can be

added to the formal education system which has the responsibility to educate both who

work in it and those who study in it on the essentially of transforming a patriarchal society.

Political Empowerment

In other parts of the world such as Africa specifically, women have made noteworthy

progresses in the political ground over the past few years. The mainland political body, the

African Union (AU) in its early stages, took a key step by endorsing gender equality in its top

decision-making positions. For example, in 2003 five women and five men were elected as

AU commissioners. Similarly, such initiatives should be implemented in Afghanistan as this

will enable the leaders to oversee standards for good governance by successfully promoting

agreements that advance women’s rights. At least by 2020, Afghanistan should have ratified

CEDAW, described as the international bill of rights for women adopted in 1979 by the UN

General Assembly. However, this can only be achieved if the current government adopts a

protocol on the rights of women via lobbying parliamentarians to take final steps and to

make it enforceable (Maiwandi, 2014).

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Government policy in Afghanistan should therefore seek to redress this situation of

marginalisation of women which has relegated women to become the poorest, most

disposed, and uneducated and burdens of reproduction. The disadvantages mentioned

above redress one another therefore a complete transformation of life is necessary to

change their status.

Maiwandi (2014)maintains that it is important for a revised constitution to fully address

equal rights for women as to allow access to the law and requirements. It is necessary for

issues of sexism which have relegated a majority of people in society to redress. Changing

the constitution itself may not transform the society or address patriarchist no matter how

well written it could be as men may even use the clause to protect what they see as their

diminishing rights to control women (International Foundation for Electoral , 2014).

Employment of lawyers monitoring and intervening in case law to ensure the non-abuse of

women’s rights clause in the constitution, should also be enacted to reduce gender

disparities (Schirch, 2011). Experiences from various countries have revealed that some

backlash in gender areas maybe experienced in circumstances whereby people with more

access to the law may try to use patriarchal arguments. For example, a convenient

patriarchal belief’s such as that the family is private and not part of public life or subject to

public laws has always emanated from varying societies in defence of patriarch’s.

Economic policy

Economic policy should establish on the fact that resources may not be distrusted fairly in

household headed by males. Scholars suhc as Schirch, (2011) beleibve that women should

not be treated as dependants of males but as independent human beings with equal rights

as adults hence focus on actual commitment and position of women should be the basis of

policy. This may include adopting polices aimed at improving conditions and productivity in

the unpaid economy.

The marginal position of women can also be changed by adopting five steps e.g equal pay

for work, prohibiting discrimination against women, equal opportunities and reorganisation

of working environment and working hours, affirmative action programmes e.g. gender

sensitivity programmes and improvements in maternity and parental leave. Such policies

need to be adopted in government and in the private sector (Wimpelmann, 2011). The

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social policy should also put emphasis on supporting those people who cannot help

themselves and this should also apply to babies, women, the elderly and even victims of

family violence or child abuse. In the long run this may mean budgeting for provisions of

these services e.g. extensive health care, gender sensitive programmes, strategies to ensure

that women are benefiting remain essential.

To allow women to escape poverty, growth strategies should place more emphasis on their

assistances to the economy. Despite the fact that women make up a substantial amount of

the economically active population, their involvement is not completely recorded because

they are mainly involved in family farming or in the informal subdivision (Athayi, 2014). The

duties they carry out such as household work, is not reflected a cost-effective activity.

Providing women with better access to credit and other sources of financing can help

decrease economic differences. Providing women with improved access to credit and other

sources of funding can help lessen economic inequalities.

Hence, Afghanistan should allocate a percentage of its national budget to gender matters.

This appeal is grounded on the fact that to date Afghanistan does not allocate more than 1

per cent of its state budget to women and gender issues. Presently, funds for state

programmes for the progression of women come principally from outside partners (ILO,

2012). Another tool which can be employed is called the gender budgeting to recompense

the partiality in macroeconomic strategies that favours men and boys at the expense of

women and girls. This does include analysing government spending choices and its influence

on women and men, boys and girls, with the aim of better recognizing inequalities. This in

turn can help rally more financing to narrow the gaps, for instance by aiding programmes to

decrease the heavy time problems on women or by illuminating their access to energy,

water, transport and labour-saving tools.

Political progress

A lack of resource bases, few staff and no power or authority within the Afghani

government to improve equality and justice for women are some of the few of the

restraints. In most countries, the presence of women in parliament has made a change in

the implementation of gender-sensitive strategies. Affirmative action policies, such as

quotas, to increase the number of women in decision-making positions have been placed

because of pressure from women. If women are allowed in parliament they will be able to

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renegotiate their dreams and emphasize the accountability of all actors since action is now

being demanded. A need remains to get women out of poverty however, it is also important

to set second- and third-generation strategies. These include guaranteeing global trade

agreements and new information and transportations skills to provide instant assistances to

women (ILO, 2012).

In Afghanistan there is a need for a conscious effort by government to change from

patriarchal tendencies. President Ghani broke new ground by supporting and recognising

that women are equal citizens and they should hold posts in government. On various

occasions as well as in his speeches he has declared that Afghanistan should not be a sexist

and discriminatory country. This situation has improved as many women are now included

in the cabinet as possible.

For Afghani populations and societies, the absenteeism of a legal framework of reference to

fight against violations of women’s rights presently institutes a real handicap for the best

contribution of women in the growth of their countries and of Asia. Economic and social

rights that are continuously violated, either intentionally or out of unawareness, would be

better secured under the rules.Hence, a women’s protocol may need to be ratified as this

may allow to provide a legal framework for women’s rights and may require countries to

develop laws that prohibit discrimination. The protocol states that every woman has the

right “to the recognition and protection of her human and legal rights.” It is crucial for a bill

to be developed with articles on equality in marriage, upholds women’s rights to housing

and inheritance, access to justice and political participation, protection of women in armed

conflict and the provision of education, training and health care. The rights of widows and

the special protection of elderly women and those with disabilities should also be covered.

Conclusion

Taking into consideration experiences from other countries emancipation of women is

always put last on the agenda. Then, organisations in Afghanistan supporting emancipation

of women should be prepared to deal with different forms of backlash for example attacks

by people who are disillusioned by the lack of progress. A more understated form of

backlash could be from men who are proficient of taking over and destabilising the struggle

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for liberation of women. This is normally conducted by men who affirm support for women

ye their intention is to seek division and domination of women. More so, difficulties which

could be experienced are in related to women who refuse to support emancipation.

Unity needs to be constructed between supporting parties of feminist, to act strategically to

deal with the backlash. Feminists need to select putting across resources into

transformation a necessary element to remove the sustained support of patriarchy and into

positive action to address the remaining gender disparities.

Statements from negative forces such as women themselves are not interested in change

but may want to be dominated by men should never be tolerated. At large, a multipronged

onslaught affecting all areas of life for women is a requirement with the initial task of ending

patriarchal domination, change the position of women in occupational division of labour.

Strategic gender interests include abolition of sexual division of labour, alleviation of

domestic labour and child care, ending institutional discrimination, establishing political

equality, and finally the adoption of legal instruments against control and violence against

women. Training and capacity building programmes essential to promote better treatment

of women alongside national dialogue that promotes a comprehensive interpretation of

sharia law. At large, all the demands prescribed above are also considered as feminist

demands likely to challenge and ultimately eliminated all forms of patriarchal domination.

Attempts to transform women’s position in society should address both strategic and

practical gender interests if success is to be obtained in overcoming economic oppression

and eroding patriarchal systems in societies. In order for success to be reached, all initiatives

have to be encouraged developed, and coordinated for optimum effectiveness.

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