Afghan women between oppression and a new beginning

Although they were subjected to soviet occupation, civil wars, drought and epidemics, but above all, to the Taliban fundamentalist concepts, the women of Afghanistan are finally rising from their own social ashes, seeking new opportunities to develop their status.

Under the Taliban government they were banned from work, studying, or other social activities, reduced to a masculine presence. To all this, the well-known garment, that hid everything, and kept them entirely covered and the painted windows to keep them away from the eye of the beholder, added a social and intimate restriction to their lives.

After the fall of the Talibans, in 2001, the status of women was under vivid discussion. However, the country was still at war and the ground was unsure for women. Most of them were still subjected to violence and restrictions, feeling unsure about their new hypothetical freedom. Although most women worldwide might consider burqa, the traditional garment of Afghan women, a sign of their oppression, this is hardly a metaphor of their social status. The real problems of women lie in the complex and traditional society of the country rather than in a garment: revitalizing schools, providing more education, livelihood skills, improving economy, law, and health. These are the real problems confronting the women of Afghanistan, as in a country divided by wars and full of unexpected, livelihood skills and the possibility of earning money are vital. For this, National Geographic and The Asia Foundation created the Afghan Girls found, as literacy is a priority in the Afghan society. There is a big majority of girls aged 10-20 that lack any kind of education, and as the Taliban society performed a sexual apartheid, schooling a 16 years old girl together with a 7-year-old boy, as if they had the same standards and levels is very awkward.

The opportunities must be specified and designed for women in particular. The help must come for those who are ready to learn a skill or undergo some education in order to earn a living in a progressing society. Weaving, tailoring, sewing, spinning, shoemaking, are some of the areas in which women of Afghanistan might consider working. Further, women who want to open businesses should pursue reading, and intellectual skills. However, all these goals are hard to achieve, as the complex situation of the country makes it difficult, even with outside help. In rural area people are still hostile to educating women, young girls and women are afraid of leaving their houses to go to schools or special centers, and there is a financial problem too, as many cannot afford an uniform, books, and other tools necessary for school.

Another problem lies in the health care. Afghanistan has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the world, and also one of the few countries in which men are expected to live more than women. The Taliban government has determined this fact too, as during those times women had no access to a male physician- possible pains, aches or illnesses were completely ignored when speaking about women. Nearly 90% of the births in Afghanistan are unattended by a health care worker, about 25% of the children die before they turn 5 years old, and about 10% suffer of severe malnutrition. United Nations reports stated that all these can and will be easily avoided by providing Afghanistan with health care workers, centers, nutrition trainers, reproductive health care workers and family planning, elements that are crucial in rebuilding a nation. Women have a vital role in this resurrection, as they once had, before Taliban government, when 70-80% of the teachers were women, and when one third of all the students in Kabul, were females.

Afghan parliamentarian Malalai Joya is one of the strongest feminine voices of her nation, fighting to revive not only her country, but also the women in it. BBC named Ms. Joya the most famous woman in Afghanistan.