One of the challenges for the new government is invigorating and supporting the efforts to protect women rights and women in our society. In the few beginning days of its tenure the new government has given some sort of optimism that it is committed to eliminate corruption and make efforts to improve Afghanistan’s economic condition; however, it has yet to openly declare that it is committed to heighten the position of women in Afghan society and make serious efforts to minimize discrimination and violence against them. Moreover, it has to be seen how gender justice would be ensured in the ongoing process of power distribution.
On Saturday women social activists and community leaders in the south eastern Khost province urged upon the new President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai to strive for peace in the country and ensure gender justice while distributing power.
Sultan Zari, a mother who had lost three sons while serving in the police department, highlighted that peace and harmony was the burning desire of all Afghans. “Peace and stability is all what we need, we wish for nothing more, we do not want to see more widows and bereaved parents”, she sighed.
Addressing the meeting, Naimat Bibi Umri, member of the provincial council said the previous failed to do justice in this regard. “In the Khost provincial assembly, there are just three women and 13 men, which is a clear indicator that justice is not done as far as female’s rights and representation is concerned”, she noted.
Government would definitely require considering gender justice as high priority in this regard and at the same time it has to develop a comprehensive strategy regarding uplifting the position of women in Afghan society; otherwise, achieving gender justice would remain just a dream. At the same time, the different factions and institutions within the society must be encouraged to assist in this regard.
Women in Afghanistan have been suffering discriminatory behavior for a very long time. The religious extremism and obsolete tribal values have played a dominant role in making every sort of violation and violence possible against them. Though they have been raising their voices every now and then but in the noise of male shrieks they seem to be negligible and get faded away. In fact, the male-chauvinistic ears are not ready to hear them though they feel their vibrations clearly. Nonetheless, the efforts in this regard must never be given up and they should continue in every possible way.
Both women and men have to bring about changes in their attitude. Fighting the discrimination and violence does not necessarily mean that women alone should shoulder the responsibility. The men can also play an important role and they have to be made aware of it. There should be efforts to bring about changes in the attitude of men towards women; otherwise, fighting for the rights of women would be very difficult.
Different strata in society can also play an imperative role. The different institutions, functioning in the society must ensure that there should be biased policies and attitude against the women. Their policies and practices must never be inclined towards discrimination and injustice on the basis of gender. Not only the women rights organization but different other social, political and administrative organizations can have a part in making sure that women are properly compensated within the system and are not neglected on the basis of prejudice.
In the countries like Afghanistan, the religious and tribal institutions can also play tremendous role in uplifting the position of women and giving them the status they deserve. As most of the people are religious and tribal, they can easily be motivated by such institutions for better and higher purposes.
This is really important that the religious scholars must represent the true nature of Islam among our people. The way Islam, in its beginning years, raised the status of women in Arab society; in similar fashion, it is really important that it must support women in getting rid of the ideas and practices that violate their rights vehemently.
The religious scholars need to prove that they consider women human and Islam does not oppose positive participation women in social and political affairs. By doing so, they can also support in removing the tag of extremism and terrorism that has been attached with Islam mistakenly, because of the practices of the some extremist groups like Taliban.
Let’s accept that women form an integral part of society and have an imperative role to play. Their representation and participation in different walks of life can help society develop suitably. They cannot be kept on being discriminated and violated without letting up, because it is not only non-religious but at the same time atrocious because above all women are human beings. Unfortunately, this evident fact has not been realized by many in Afghan society. Starting with this very basic concept, the religious figures and institutions can start a comprehensive movement for the preserving women rights and uplifting their status in the society.
This is what our Holy Prophet (PBUH) did while he was spreading the teachings of Islam. The women who used to be buried alive were given a new recognition in Arab society. Though the strict patriarchal society resisted against changing the attitude towards women, it at the end had to accept that women are human and must be given the opportunity to live their lives and participate in social and political activities. Keeping the same efforts in view, we can bring about necessary changes in Afghan society as per the demands of time and let women live their lives with dignity and honor.