Human Rights Watch asked President Karzai to enforce the Elimination of Violence Against Women law (EVAW) before the end of his term. In a 15-page briefing paper, released on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, it
highlights health and economic consequences of early marriages and domestic violence for which the law considered severe punishments.
The law was previously signed by Mr. President Karzai in 2009. After three years, it was put on the table to be endorsed by MPs on November, but was not passed on account of allegation of radical MPs that some of its articles were against Islamic Shariah such child marriage, polygamy, Women’s shelter and etc.
Amidst controversy in parliament, number of university students, mostly from Shariah Faculty, held protests in support of parliamentarian move on November, chanting slogan such as ‘death to democracy’ and ‘death to women rights’. There were also brochures distributed detailing differences of the law with dominant interpretation of Islamic Shariah in the country. Such opposition of large scale reflected that traditionalists who used to keep silent due to overwhelming presence of international community once again will try to block democratic movements as the foreign engagement process has reversed.
Similarly, with each passing year, cases of violence against women registered by Ministry of Women Affairs and other organization working for the cause have increased. On the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, Nov. 25, the Ministry of Women Affairs announced that it had registered 3,500 cases of violence against women during past half of this year. Likewise, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has registered 2,500 criminal cases were just during four months of the start of current year in solar calendar.
Meanwhile, women rights activists believe that the actual violent cases might be far larger, as many do not get the chance or avoid reporting due to cultural reasons. So, putting such an assumption beside the registered cases, we end up to an appalling conclusion. People, particularly women rights activists, are worried that simultaneous to foreign military withdrawal and declining financial assistance, achievements made during last twelve years may start a reversal. Because it is possible that rich countries in the region may fill the gap and pour cash to pockets of those who are in pursuit of an alternative system to democracy. As result, fundamentalists get stronger, officials who do not believe in modern values switch their side, and moderates are forced to become silent.
In addition, the peace negotiation with Taliban militants is another fearsome factor. It is highly unlikely that the group lay down arms unless get mouth-watering compromises on democratic laws and achievements. Despite efforts made to change the prevalent concept of people, Taliban have not changed an inch and they impose the same radical interpretation of Shariah laws, if they return to power. Even if the group does not become enough powerful to overrule the government but strong enough to continue being considered as power, its leaders will not accept the woman participation in civil services and other social, economic and political spheres to an extent they are involved now.
Thus, there is one thing clear that, not only Taliban militants, but some people within the administration have anti-women tendencies, if the circumstance change and they are provided the chance to express their inner tendency. So, the danger would be multiplied against women rights and other democratic achievements on the absence of foreign forces in whose presence many dare not to pressurize government to include their Islamic interpretation of women rights. As I noticed in the above such dangers are highly likely to become serious if the foreign countries leave soft power battleground. Needless to say, force and bullets will not change the society and traditional and cultural values fundamentally. They are able to silence the people and impose the targeted sets of norms on any society but such actions will not work indefinitely. Moreover, such imposition may head to spark and strengthen an underground resistance which may always break out. A similar case may be repeated in the country unless calculated measures held.
If the common people continue to believe on the cliché that woman is the symbol of dignity and virtue, than any woman who dares going out and taking part in social, economic and political issues will be deemed as perverted. There is no need of Taliban or other like-minded groups.
The society will itself act as Emarat-e-Islami and “stone her to death in their court”. Therefore, for embracing women rights and other democratic values, the society should be changed. People should not hate a woman who works outside and should change the Afghani cliché model. For such a change, the international community should support those, particularly youngsters, who believe in modern values. Their very belief makes them committed to fight for with not much expectation from people or organizations to support them. Unfortunately, what the involved countries have done was pouring cash to pockets of those who enjoy communal influence and support. Part of these influential leaders indeed do not believe in human rights not matter how much money they receive. If today they reach to a conclusion that their pretension of believing democracy and modern values do not bear any benefit, they will just give up and become the role model of fundamentalists.
Therefore, Individuals and organizations should be supported that basically believe in modern values. They can fill the gap that will be created as result of foreign military pullout as many organizations and activists will not feel safe or do not possess money to continue working in the country. They can play effective role in changing the social norms because they are familiar with the society as well as people will not show resistance against them as they would be against foreign citizens.