Afghan Women Still Journeying Down the Long Road to Equality; October 10, 2008, 4:35pm

Afghan Women Still Journeying Down the Long Road to Equality

John Johnston

October 10, 2008

4:35pm, EST

Afghanistan's population is mostly known as Islam, and many irregular and stereotypes are normally associated with this religion. One of the stereotypes, which actually can be pretty detrimental to the doctrine itself, is that women should and will always be on a lower status than men. This is infinitely untrue, as fourteen hundred years ago Islam declared that women should and will be equal, having most of the same rights as men and the ability to vote, work, equal inheritance and the same equality before God. The article, written by Abdullah Qazi, boldly states this within the first two sentences of the piece. However, Qazi is quick to point out that under the Taliban rule in the years 1996-2001, women equality was, quite possibly, the worst it has ever been in world history, but surely in Afghanistan's history. It was depicted that women were forced to stay at home, not able to work, and even resorting to prostitution to feed their families. Under the new Afghani rule post-2001, the law and constitution clearly defines equality under the law. It is then revealed that some of the Afghani attitude toward women have indeed changed, but some challenges still remain. In most rural areas, the fight for equality still exists, and women's rights concerning education are completely looked down upon.

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This article provides great insight to a country that is making progress, somewhat steadily, but still has a little bit of wiggle room and loopholes. The Afghani's are still under pressure from the world, as well as the United States, to do this or do that, but to be able to report that some, not all, of women inequality is being eradicated is great news in a country so full of turmoil. Ongoing wars, struggle to maintain this new government, and continued combat against the Taliban all playing into the imaginary game of advancement. Without these forces, there would be no reason for equality to not already have taken hold and fully been implemented. In summary, for Afghanistan to be able to say that some steps are being taken and some equality is being restored, I think it speaks greatly for the status of the country.

However, let's not lose sight of the battles still to be fought. Rural areas may be one of the most important and hardest battlegrounds to fight, as the law can only reach so far without people in place to enforce it. What I found most disturbing was the fact that some education buildings designed specifically for women are being burned and girls are being poisoned for wanting to attend school. This is a little extreme, especially for laws to be in place guaranteeing these rights. Afghanistan, while making progress, still has a long way to go in the scheme of equality.

http://www.afghan-web.com/woman/