Blog #2: An Outlet for Afghan Women Online

Katherine Gottsegen
9/9/2011
'An Outlet for Afghan Women Online'

For two years the Afghan Women's Writing Project, centered in Kabul, has been underway. Created by Marsha Hamiliton, an American journalist and activist, the project allows women from all over Afghanistan to contribute pieces about their lives, or any concerns about events they have going on around them. The 75 women who participate in the workshop must live in Afghanistan and are required to submit a piece once a month. Many of the women are identified only by their first name, or a name they create, and some prefer to remain completely anonymous. The fear of being found out by their families or anyone who may know them surrounds the whole operation. The women are able to write about anything they want; family issues, politics, marriage traditions. Considering the danger of being a woman living in Afghanistan at this time, it is a risky project to take on. Many of the articles submitted focus on how hard it is to get an education or work. Since the Taliban took over in 1996, women are forbidden to leave their homes unless accompanied by a male relative. This law limits any involvement in the community the women may want to take part in and makes this story that much more interesting.
It is hard to imagine living in a country where being a woman would inhibit me. The women featured in this article are struggling to find a voice in the turmoil of their country that surrounds them. Laws against women leaving their house or even finding a job have been in effect for over a decade now and, with the Afghan Women's Writing Project, some are finding an outlet. One woman wrote about the hardship of having to marry a man who's family strictly follows the laws of the Taliban. In America, there are many ways for me to voice my opinion and make it clear. Blogging sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger, etc. are all at my fingertips, while in Afghanistan some women have to walk 4 hours, accompanied by a male, just to use the internet hub. The fact that some women are stepping up and becoming active instead of just accepting the face that they have to remain secluded is enlightening. I hope the self-confidence of these women continues to grow, and they remain strong in their fight to be heard.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/world/asia/07iht-letter07.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=asia