Back behind the veil, Our Dreams are Gone! : Afghani Women Speak

Thanks cynic so true, I too truly believe if a country really sincerely wants to better themselves and make a difference, it is they who must do it and not on the lives of our troops. Cause as you say a tribal culture. which it seems the middle east is based on, Woman alas will always be the losers.  We are fooling ourselves if we can change thousands of years of history.

"If we can give one defining gift to the Afghans it is the very thing they need to take ownership of their own destiny - somewhere where girls and women can be educated...."

According to UNESCO two thirds of the world's illiterate, 900 million, are women; and in seventeen countries over 90% of women are illiterate.

300 million women in developing countries have no access to family planning services. 90% of world population growth is occurring in the poorest countries. If women were empowered to make a choice population growth would be reduced by 30% in developing countries. In a Wall Street Journal piece I linked to Milan's latest article, it was stated that an Afghan woman has an average of three to four sons.   

A study of 74 developing countries found that one in five households is headed by a woman: they are either widowed, divorced, separated or abandoned. "These women are trapped in a downward spiral of poverty. Forces beyond their control are pressing them further into poverty every year. Yet the poorer they become the harder they have to work to support their children.

In countries where women have leadership roles and the education of women is not denied, the realities and acceptance of women has pronounced effects on the population that over time can alter views and allow women the mobility they deserve and are a vital resource for growing nations.

When the United Kingdom's former Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe, was visiting Pakistan during Benazir Bhutto's term as Prime Minister, his wife asked a little boy what he would like to be when he grew up. "A truck driver maybe," mused the child. Surprised at his modest ambitions, Lady Howe persisted: "But surely you would like to go into politics, even become Prime Minister?" Back came the answer, "No, that's women's work."

Studies show consistently that in countries where women are educated, the society moves forward socially and economically rising out of stifling poverty and suppression. 

IF YOU EDUCATE A MAN, YOU EDUCATE ONE PERSON;
IF YOU EDUCATE A WOMAN, YOU EDUCATE AN ENTIRE FAMILY.

"IF YOU EDUCATE A WOMAN, YOU EDUCATE AN ENTIRE FAMILY."

That is why Taliban bombs girl's school in the first time and every time.

here

here

here

and here

The animal fear in them does not allow them to stand an educated and rational women.

.Agent.

Sitara needs to know as long as she is still breathing there is hope.  I understand she feels all hope is gone. At 15 a day can seem like an eternity. It is part of the monster called teenage angst. Even without the drama that spills from American teenagers without a second thought. Sitara needs to hold on, hold tight to what she believes and what she dreams. 

There are more stories of intimidation and fear tactics used on Afghani women everyday. It is only a matter of time before Afghani women realize there is safety and there is power in numbers. They are going to have to be brave enough to stand up to the machine called man.

20 years ago their stories would have never been told, there would have been no one to tell it too and if by chance someone did listen, that would be as far as it would go. There were no women who had made it out of the oppression of their fathers and husbands. Now they have, now they know better. Now they need to stand hand in hand and shout, because there are people listening. There are people, both women and men who want to give a hand up. But Sitara and her 'sisters' need to be brave enough to grasp that hand.  

Barry: Yes! Everything in your story underscores why many have become complete and total libertarians when it comes to free speech. PC (political correctness) is, in no way, conducive to a free society. How did Canada and the U.S. get to the point where their governments are censoring citizens  for saying what they mean and meaning what they say? What's next . . . book burning . . . salutes to the PC Goddess? We (those of us in the west) make a sincere and earnest effort to see the good in all cultures and show those cultures respect in spite of our disdain for  their customs. I think that we've been had and that we should revert back to the old ways and start calling things as we see them. There's no doubt that you are calling things as you see them. Thank you sir!

Thanks Rory, I have never been one to pull punches and always call things as I see them in my Op/Ed and back em up with facts.  PC in the media and Gollywood is a leftys first defence in swaying public opinion their way.

Much to the dismay of some, who feel I should remain Chapeauless, lest I rock the NP boat.

One thing I love about Now Public is that allows both left and right wing who are lets face it, are on the same Bird of Prey to speak their mind!

So, when all is said and done, this article should include some kind of suggestions or resources helping us who care to find a way to help.  Simply reading it in my kitchen and clucking over it does nothing for these women.

Thanks Anarkissed for the excellent comment, certainly the UNs Development Programs and other auspices of the United Nations job is to help these women, through their laws and conventions. Will they? Doubtful, as they have seemed pretty ineffective for decades! But the UN seem to have lots and lots of rhetoric to back up their moral stances to these countries, it just seems not to do any good, when other countries fail to listen, as they feel we should not interfere with their countries affairs. "But Oh Man " do those countries love the billions in aid we send em.

But then the above is just one man's opinion.

Well while we in the west want to support these women, real change can only happen from within.  This is as true for a country as for an individual.  Too many of Afghani women support the status quo and that is the problem.  They allow their sons to develop with these ideas, force their daughters to accept them, and obey their husbands as expected.  Till more afghani women stand up and say no, and risk suffering and death, there's naught we in our cultures can truly do.  At best we can send money to the shelters to help those who've begun the fight.  Moslem women must make their own definition of emancipation.  one that fits with their faith and culture while giving women the opportunities to be joyous and powerful people in harmony with their men.

But I do wish we could snatch away every female in islam for a few months.  Just so the men can find out what it would really be like to not be 'distracted by females."