Hina Simisamar: WVAWG in Pakistan and Afghanistan

“Violence against women in its many forms is one of the sure indicators of the subordinate position of women in the society. Violence exists in different forms, in different levels, from personal to structural violence, justified by religion, culture, and law.”

“But now a new form of menace threatens the women of Afghanistan in the forms of ultra fundamentalist movements, which has now grown to dominate nearly two thirds of the country. The Taliban, the new group, literally meaning religious students, stepped into the congested and unstable political scenario of the country nearly two years ago… They have issued a strict order that women should not venture out of their home without the cover of the veil, and under no circumstance they may  be allowed to participate in jobs. Education and institutions for girls have been closed. And admission of female students is prohibited in any institution irrespective of the level. These measures are intended for limiting the activities of the women inside the walls of their homes. The women of Afghanistan on various instances have expressed their dissatisfaction at the social oblivion to which they are being subjected. In return, the Taliban have resorted to verbal abuse and have even been documented to physically beating and torturing the women in the street. Women are banned from walking on the road without a male company. They are not allowed to attend schools and the entrance of women in the workplace is totally banned.”

“International militarization, exploitation,  and patriotical power struggle has prepared a situation where some new puppet can utilize the subordination of women to increase their own power.”

“Now we need your support and sisterhood more than ever. Please do not withhold your support, for it is vital to us that we fight off this threat before it becomes so deep-rooted in the social soul of Afghanistan, that it may outgrow  to other countries and societies, especially the Islamic countries. As history has proven many times, ignorance has a heavy price, and I believe that we have to fight for our rights. The right is not given by men as a present to us.”

Abstract: unknown

Summary:

Hina presents on the issues faced by Afghani women in 1996, between the Soviet-Afghan war and the imminent USA-Afghan war. The content of her speech hauntingly parallels current events in the region, while summarising the elements contributing to the rise of religious fundamentalism affecting the women of Afghanistan to this day.

Since 1996: unknown