Afghan Women Protest

Women protest against "barbaric" laws

 

Finally, Finally, Afghan women stepped out and protested against the insane laws that have passed through both houses and been signed by President Karzai. Although only applying to the Shiite minority, the laws are an outrage and impact every woman in this world. If they are allowed to exist in law then they set a tone for women everywhere and they lessen the worth of a women to nothing but a sex-slave. Now, I have been raised to be respectful and sensitive to the ideas and cultures of others. Further, I understand that people are the products of the historical traditions they grow up in. Yet I say this with strict confidence: These laws are brutally barbaric.

Three particular provisions have drawn fire from leaders, human rights groups, and people all around the world and especially strong-willed women in Afghanistan. One provision sets out that permission is requried from the husband if the woman is to work outside the home or go to school; a second provision makes it illegal for a woman to resist her husband's sexual advances; a third makes it illegal for a woman to refuse to "dress up" if requested to do so by her husband.

Can I just stop here and say: "WTF?!"

I'm not a stranger to laws in Afghanistan, nor to what women were put through when the Taliban had control. I remember back in 1998 when I had my little kit and I was trying to make people listen to the horrors that women were being put through in Afghanistan, but no one cared to listen. But, enough is enough now. Especially with a new President and with international attention.

However, the protests that 300 strong-willed Afghan women made against these laws struck a cord with women all around the world and with the International Community. President Karzai has agreed to review these laws and he has already stated he will repeal the one which gives the husband the right to demand sex every 4 days.

Of course these women didn't protest in peace. They were met with an angry group that was reportedly 3 times as large as theirs. Here's a clip of them:

 

Of course there were women that agreed with these men that the laws were "right". Let's not blame them entirely; instead blame the environment they've grown up in. There is a change approaching. I mean here in the West, women did not achieve equality right away. We put up with some insane rules and traditions as well, but things evolved, as every thing is meant to evolve eventually. But defiance in the face of inequality is crucial in helping this come about.  It's happening in Afghanistan. These women are pushing back now, but they need our support.