Sarah-Beth R.

Sophomore, Jackson High School

Jackson Oh

Submitted December 21, 2001

Outline

a. location

b. size

c. annual income

d. Civil war

c. Taliban altimantumes

b. banishments

c. behavior of Taliban thugs

d. legal age of marriage

a. reasons why they must wear them

b. health hazards from the burkas

c. education in refugee camps

a. what women will do for an education

b. underground schooling

d. lack of means maintaining health care

(double space between Roman numberals)

"Lifting the Veil of Tears"

In November 1997 Madeline Albright tells a group of Afghan women, "I will never forget you.. ..1 will do everything to help you to help your country." Today Albright's words ring hollow and false (Afghan~S Internet). For five years the Taliban sought to make women not just obedient but nonexistent. Not just submissive but invisible. For years they have almost succeeded. (Afghanistan's Intenet)

Afghanistan is a country in Southern Asia. It is north and west of Pakistan. It is slightly smaller than Texas. The majority of the population in Afghanistan suffers from insufficient food, clothing, housing, and medical care. The average annual income for a family is about $800 dollars.

In the 1960's and 70's Afghanistan was a developing country, slowly expanding roles of women. In 1964 women had been granted the tight to vote and the cities had begun to produce a small elite of educated women, who entered the professions they had been educate to perform, The women wore skirts and mixed with men. (Afghanistan's Internet) Even though the

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Soviet Invasion was a disaster for Afghanistan, more women were introduced into government authority. As bad as the Russians' occupation was 78 that followed their withdraw was worse) especially for women. (Afghanistan's Internet) In 1989 a civil war broke out which would eventually lead to the triumph of the Taliban.

When the Taliban took over in 1996 conditions were in place for a final degradation of Afghan women. At first Afghans welcomed the Taliban, then

the true side of the Taliban began to show. Women and girls became invisible. Taliban issued edicts forbidding women to go outside their homes except in limited circumstances. In August of 1998 Shameem, a first and second grade teacher before the Taliban took over her hometown, found out what extremist fundamentalism was when the Taliban troops came heavily armed and swept into the city. During the invasion the Taliban murdered thousands of residents. They shut down all girls schools, burning all their books and files. Through all the chaos the all boys schools remained opened.

The Taliban's interpretation of the Laws of the Quran was often shunned by Muslims. Television, movies, and videos were banned. All written material that was published outside of Afghanistan was forbidden. All music except

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religious songs were prohibited. Paper bags were illegal for fear that they contained copies of the Quran. Kite flying was no longer permitted because it was said to be a diversion of prayer. Public bath houses were banned even though most houses had no running water. Religious idols of any sort were illegal. The Taliban authorized religious police to punish who broke any of their rules.

There were a number of certain rules that women alone had to follow. Women had to be fully covered in public. They could not receive any education and could not seek any employment. They were encouraged to paint the first floor windows of their homes black, this way men could not see inside to be tempted by the women. They were forbidden to travel alone, if they did travel alone they had to be chaperoned by a male relative.

Breaking the rules of the Taliban lead to harsh and inhumane punishments. It was very unlikely to find a women who had not been beaten by the Taliban. "There are few signs of life in Kabul," said Laila. "Women are not allowed to laugh out loud--anything that would bring you happiness," adds Laila. "The Taliban wants us to forget we have souls." (Son~ The Taliban militia gave out punishments for violations of the laws on the spot. Women

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were beaten if they made too much noise when walking, moved without an acceptable cause, or if an inch of their ankle showed. According to one report, a woman struggling with two small children and groceries was beaten with a car antenna because she had let her face covering slip. Taliban soldiers known as ministry thugs used steel cables to beat women in the street for things like wearing white socks. The Taliban's excuse for these harsh punishments were if women dressed charming and fashionable then they would never get to heaven. Women were dragged away from their families never to be seen or heard from again. A man who visited a Taliban ruled territory said, "In the capital women flitted like frightened ghosts in shroud 17 burkas, constantly being harassed by the Taliban thugs." (Afghanistan's Internet) A woman who dared to feed her baby near a roadside was beaten till she died. Another woman who broke one of the Taliban's laws was stoned to death in front of a howling crowd.

The Quran's Sura 4:34, says that the husband of an insubordinate wife should first admonish her, leave her to sleep alone, and finally beat her. (Be~ 51) Beatings were not the worst of female sufferings. Each year hundreds of Muslim women died in "honor killing". The killings were normally carried out by their husbands or male relatives. The "honor killings" were for women

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suspected of disobedience. Rifatt Hissar, professor of religious studies at the University of Louisville said, "The way Islam has been practiced in most societies have left millions of women with battered bodies, minds, and souls." (Beyer 51) It was a custom to bury unwanted female newborns alive. Religion had been used in many Muslim countries not to liberate, but to entrench inequality. The legal age for marriage was nine for girls and fourteen for boys. Women could have only one husband, while men could have four wives. This left women locked in bad marriages for fear of poverty and the loss of their children. The Quran allows daughters half the inheritance of a son's. It also says that a woman's testimony is worth only half that of a man's.

A women had to be dressed in a full burka every time she left her home. The burka has been described as a head-to-toe garment, a sort of body bag for the living. (Lacayo 43) The heavy clothing has been known to cause panic, claustrophobia, and headaches. Wearing the burka put a threat on these women's lives. When women go to Mecca for the pilgrimage, all Muslims must attempt at least once in their life, they do so with their faces showing. "If women can show their faces in Islam's most holy place, then why must we cover ourselves in Afghanistan," asked Mashal. Mashal is an eighteen year old

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who wants to be a doctor. "I want to be free," she said. "I don't want to wear a veil at all, I want to wear a mini skirt." she added. (Afghan HI)

Seventy-five percent of women and children have fled Afghanistan. Some have even been in the refugee camps for over twenty years. They have little food and no more than a plastic sheet for shelter. There is no sanitation devices in the camps. These conditions have resulted in widespread diseases, death, and regional instability. Over fifty percent of women have been seriously ill or injured. Thirty-six percent of 180 women have lost children since they arrived at the camps. Shameem was a teacher before the Taliban took over her hometown. Now Shameem goes to Khiwa, a refugee camp in Pakistan to teach thirty first grade girls. Instead of getting paid Shameem received food for her family. Since September 11 th tens of thousands of people have fled from Afghanistan to near by refugee camps in Pakistan.

Laila a former medical student was confined to her house by the Taliban. She began secretly tutoring her neighbors' daughters. After awhile she had as many as forty-five children seeking an education from her. Soon after, the Taliban discovered her underground school. 'They beat me in front of the Children." she recalled from her new home in the U.S. "They told me if I did

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anything else against the Taliban they would kill me." then they turned to the frightened children hiding in comers, "They told them they would bum them alive if they ever returned to school again." (Mulkine 32) Schooling was forbidden for girls over the age of eight. Only seven percent of girls of the age to go to school were enrolled once the Taliban took over. Masoda, a shy second grade girl is sixteen years old. She left school when the Taliban entered her hometown. Her family fled to Pakistan once the U.S. began bombing Afghanistan. Once in Pakistan Masoda returned to school. "I once knew how to read, but I've forgotten everything," she said. "I'm ashamed to be so much older than everyone else." (about Internet) Saida, twenty-seven, received no formal education. She has three daughters who are enrolled in elementary school. Her oldest daughter Nahid, twelve, was getting ready to marry a twenty six year old man. Nahid told Saida that Quran taught her how to be a good wife and mother, this outraged Saida. "How can the Quran teach you how to live your life, how to take care of your children and husband?" she asked.

"Teaching my daughters how to make their husband comfortable is the most important thing.," she said, "because if the husband is not comfortable than the woman's life is hell." (About Internet) Many home based and rural schools that

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quietly operated feared closure and punishment from the Taliban. Women in Afghanistan strived to be educated. They were even willing to risks their lives to learn.

Next to education, women's health suffered the worst consequences of the Taliban. (About Internet) A woman's average life expectancy is forty-four years old. There are seventeen maternal deaths per 100 live births. This is the second highest rate in the world. (About Internet) Male doctors were not allowed to see female patients. Male doctors had even been known to stand in the hall way and shout instructions to the female assistant. In some cases when a male doctor was permitted to see a female patient she had to be dressed in a full burka. A doctor could be imprisoned for speaking to a woman who was not fully covered. It was very dangerous for a woman to even seek medical attention. One woman was shot for appearing in public to take her child to the doctor. The toddler was seriously ill and needed medical treatment right away. (Women Internet) "Of the 13,000 case ofTB a year in Afghanistan, seventy percent are women," said Hieber Girardet. (Afghan Internet) "Because women are not allowed to work, they have no means when their husbands die," said Tahmeena Farayal. "So they have no access to food, to shelter or to medicine,"

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she added. In Afghanistan you can die of a very treatable disease like a fever." (Afghan Internet)

Since the events of September 11 th, the Taliban have left the cities they once ruled. Afghan women have shed their burkas and are now marching through the capital's streets demanding new rights. "Change will take a little time," said Soriya Parlika, a protest organizer, "but this is a start." (Afghan HI) Women are now showing their faces in public for the first time in years. Kabul's sole television show features a female announcer. She appears onscreen without her burka on. However the disappearance of the Taliban has

not brought Afghan women freedom overnight. Dr. Rahima Zafar says, "First we need peace. Then we need a central government and education," (About Internet) Even with the final defeat of the Taliban, Afghan women are a little apprehensive to see who will take the Taliban's place. The U.S. promises to continue to press the Taliban in public and in private to extend equitable and humanitarian treatment to women and girls. Living in America, is hard to imagine the reality of such harsh treatments the Taliban have performed on these women. Just as we Americans can not forget the horrific events that happened in our country on September 11th , we must not forget the Afghan women and girls who have been suffering under the brutal Taliban regime, for they were the first victims of the Taliban.

Works Cited

" About Afghanistan." The Columbus Dispatch. 10 Oct. 2001: Hl.

"About Face for Afghan Women." < http://www.time.com>. (26 Nov. 2001)

"Afghanistan's Forgotten Women." < http://www.genders.org>. (26 Nov. 20011

" Afghan Women are marching for rights in post Taliban era." The Columbus Dispatch. 10 Oct. 2001: HI.

Beyer, Lisa. "The Women of Islam." Time Special Report. 3 Dec. 2001: 51 ,.

Fang, Bay. " Six days at the Front." US News and World Report. 21 Nov. 2001: 28..

Gibbs, Nancy. " Changing Tide." Time. 26 Nov. 2001 : 28.

"Help the Afghan Women." < http://www.Afghanwomen.com >. {16 Nov. 20011

Lacayo, Ricardo. "Lifting the Veil." Time Special Report. 3 Dec 2001: 36-4~

Mulkine, Anna. "Unveiled Threat." US News and World Report. 15 Oct. 2001: 32,

"New Hope for Afghanistan's Women." < http://www.cnn.com>.

(16 Nov. 2001) p

Norman, Pete. "Veil of tears." People Weekly. 12 Nov. 2001: 106-110. "Refugees." The Columbus Dispatch. 10 Oct. 2001 : HI4)

Smucker, Phillip and Michael Salachtell. "Hearts and Minds." US News

and World Report. 15 Oct. 2001: 28

Song, Sora. "Headgear." Time Special Report. 12 Nov. 2001: 33. "Taliban Laws." The Columbus Dispatch. 10 Oct. 2001: HI"

" Women and girls in Afghanistan." < http://www.state.gov>.

(20 Nov. 2001)...