The day will come when man will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the genders that shall result in the highest development of the race.” - Susan B. Anthony

The solar year of 1393 was ended with the appalling death of Farkhunda, a 27-year-old woman who was lynched by angry mob near the Shah-e Doh Shamshira shrine and mosque in Kabul. The desert court led to public protests and drew strong condemnation from the parliamentarians. Her tragic murder, which reflected the flagrant violation of a woman’s rights and dignity, hurt the feelings of the nation. To avoid rhetoric, we bid farewell to the solar year of 1393 violently – with killing a young woman in cold blood.

The vulnerability of Afghan women is beyond doubt. Their life is fraught with manifold problems. The traditional frames of mind and cultural taboos curtail their freedoms to a large extent. A large number of girls and women are not allowed to take part in social activities – especially in the Taliban-dominated areas. Women and girls are supposed to abide by the traditions rule their villages. After all, to the unmitigated chagrin of Afghan women, the Afghanistan’s presidential election in the solar year of 1393 was not a panacea for their bleeding wounds. They fell victim to gang violence and rape constantly as ever before. In other words, the macabre stories and clichéd phrases of violence made repeated headlines on national and international newspapers – and continue up to now. They still appear to be treated as pariah in traditional villages.

Needless to say, the Taliban had sprayed corrosive acid on the faces of Afghan girls on the way to their schools and razed the girls’ schools to the ground. The dictatorial regime of Taliban entitled women to no rights and dignity and considered them a creature totally subject to the man’s desires. However, their terrorist acts yet target Afghan women. To put it succinctly, the Taliban’s ragtag group makes attempt to impose their warp beliefs on Afghans, especially on women, at the barrel of gun. What if rather than being healed, the wounds in women’s hearts become aggravated in the next year?

The solar year of 1393 was marked with the tragic death of Farkhunda, which has reflected violence against Afghan women. However, it is feared that violence against women will also continue in the current year. Women should not suffer men’s fractious attitudes, mental and physical tortures anymore. The religious guidelines and country’s law should be practiced upon and the patriarchal system should end so that women’s rights and dignity be held in respect. The Constitution of Afghanistan states in article 22 as, “Any kind of discrimination and distinction between citizens of Afghanistan shall be forbidden. The citizens of Afghanistan, man and woman, have equal rights and duties before the law.” Moreover, article 24 asserts, “Liberty is the natural right of human beings. This right has no limits unless affecting others freedoms as well as the public interest, which shall be regulated by law. Liberty and human dignity are inviolable. The state shall respect and protect liberty as well as human dignity.” The government should enforce the law strictly and prosecute the perpetrators.

The erosion of religious values, absence of humanity and decline of moral standards are the great tragedies in our social and individual life. We are deep in cruelty and vice. The current violence taking place against women demonstrates our real characters. Can you ever imagine shedding the blood of one whom you lived with under the same roof for long time?

Radical feminists believe that men are responsible for women’s exploitation. Analysis of patriarchy – systemic dominance of men over women – is the main tendency of this type of feminism. They believe that patriarchy is a nationwide phenomenon throughout the cultures and times. Radical feminists consider family as a basic source of atrocity and cruelty in the society. They state that men exploit women by making them work free of charge. Moreover, they believe that men are a setback for women to reach power in the society. Firestone, one of the first writers of radical feminist who used to live in 19th century, states that men have control over the role of women in reproduction and training of children. Furthermore, radical feminists believe that women cannot get rid of sexual cruelties and atrocities by gradual changes and amendment. According to them, patriarchy is a systemic phenomenon; gender equality is possible only by demolishing the system of patriarchy. They believe that those social and cultural norms which reiterate the slender figures and sympathetic attitudes of women, aim to extend their inferiority and obedience. According to this type of feminism, objectifying women through media, models and advertisements change women to sexual objects with the intention of amusing and pleasing men.

I do agree with the radical feminists. Afghan women pass their times in the kitchen without a pittance – and sometimes what they receive in return is violence and vituperation. In addition, women suffer not only in Afghanistan but also in Pakistan, India, America, etc. in one way or another. So, “patriarchy is a nationwide phenomenon” and this system should be abolished for the comfort of women – especially in our country.