AFGHANISTAN AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN Introduction The news broke in March 2009. A law not really sure if he’ll keep the promise Focus had been passed in Afghanistan that and bring the amendments, but at In this News in Review story we’ll look at the limited the human rights of the country’s least he says he will. We’re hopeful” situation of women Shiite women. The legislation—named (The Globe and Mail, April 26, 2009). living in Afghanistan. the Shiite Personal Status Law—made Politicians outside Afghanistan are This issue was thrust it illegal for women to leave the house wary, too. Prime Minister Stephen into the limelight or work without the permission of a Harper and other Canadian members when news leaked out male family member. It also took away of Parliament have stated that they will that Afghan President women’s custody and inheritance rights continue to put pressure on Karzai until Hamid Karzai had signed the Shiite and stipulated that it was a woman’s the law is amended. Personal Status Law duty to have sex with her husband at There is a good chance that the in February 2009. least every four days. If she refused, her law may not be reviewed until after The legislation would husband could refuse to feed her. the next Afghan election, scheduled make many Afghan Canada and much of the international for August 2009. Karzai has become women financially community responded with outrage. unpopular within Afghanistan because and sexually subservient to their Canadians asked themselves: How he is seen by many as being a puppet husbands. Canada could a country so blatantly disregard of the West. Some observers believe and the international the rights of women? And why were that Karzai signed the law because community reacted we putting Canadian Forces personnel he wanted to appeal to the hardline strongly against the in harm’s way in Afghanistan when the conservative elements of the country. legislation. In this country clearly did not support human The law was drafted as a way to win News in Review story, rights? Many Canadians called for the the support of the powerful Shia we will examine the legislation and the withdrawal of troops and demanded minority in the country. response to it and that aid money to the country be Any hope that Karzai might have explore the reality frozen. had that the furor would subside after of life for Afghan Members of the government he gave his reassurances that the law women. contacted the Afghanistan President, would be reviewed were dashed when Hamid Karzai, to share their a group of Afghan women took to the Note displeasure. Karzai admitted that he streets to protest the law. About 300 This story is very had signed the law, but said he did mostly young Shia women protested in controversial, and so without reading it. He said that Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. But some elements may he relies on his aides to review most the protest drew a swarm of about be disturbing to documents that he signs. This law 1 000 angry Afghan men who pelted students, particularly simply got by him unnoticed. On April the women with stones and cursed younger girls. Teachers should use discretion 25, 2009, after continued international them. Jeremy Starkey, a reporter for in presenting this pressure, Karzai made assurances that The Independent, heard one man yell: important but he would review the legislation and “You are a dog. You are not a Shia challenging story. amend the offending sections to bring woman” (CBC News, April 15, 2009). it into line with international human Women’s rights activists were quick rights standards. to point out that the proposed law is But not everyone is convinced. “This just the tip of the iceberg. The law is a good step,” said Sabrina Saqib, simply reflects the day-to-day reality of an Afghan activist and member of all Afghan women. The Sunni majority, Afghan’s National Assembly. “We’re for example, already deny Afghan CBC News in Review • May 2009 • Page 19 women inheritance rights. And it has action are guaranteed in the Afghan Definition long been the case, in this country constitution, but the gap between words Shia and Sunni are different sects within ruled by old traditions and customs, and reality is too huge to be bridged Islam. It should be that women have no recourse against simply by revising a few clauses in a noted that not all domestic violence, guarantees to a fair legal document” (Toronto Star, April 8, Sunni or Shia Muslims trial, or control over who and when 2009). share the views of they marry. So the issues are complex and not fellow Muslims in Nelofer Pazira, an Afghan Canadian easily solved. The introduction of Afghanistan. Even journalist and filmmaker, had this the Shiite Personal Status Law has within Afghanistan, there is a range to say about the reforms needed in focused attention on the plight of of views on many Afghanistan: “This week, more than Afghan women, at least for now. And important issues, 100 Afghan women from 34 provinces Canadians are left to struggle with some including the role of met in Kabul to discuss the situation of tough questions. Are we willing to lose women. women in the country; they highlighted more Canadian Forces personnel than insecurity as the biggest impediment the 118 who have already given up their Quote to their freedom and equality. Most lives in this country? Can we guarantee “Afghanistan will not women fear leaving their homes to that aid money gets to the people who fast-forward from the attend school or go to work—not really need it within Afghanistan? And 12th century to the 21st because of their husbands, but because if we leave, are we condemning Afghan century in the blink of they don’t feel safe. Their rights to women to a life without basic human an eye and certainly education, freedom of movement and rights? not according to the agenda of Canadian sensibilities.” — Rosie To Consider DiManno, columnist In May 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Canadian Forces troops in (Toronto Star, Kandahar. During his visit, he said the following: “Because of you the people February 4, 2008) of Afghanistan have seen . democratic elections, the stirring of human rights and freedoms for women, the construction of schools, health-care facilities, and the basic infrastructure of a functional economy. Friends, you are helping the Afghan people make a better life for themselves and their children” (Toronto Star, April 2, 2009). 1. If he visited the troops again today, would his words still apply? Explain. 2. Is it possible to help the women of Afghanistan if many Afghan men are strongly opposed to the extension of basic human rights to those women? 3. How much power does a government actually have to change traditional values and customs in a society? 4. Does Canada have the right to demand that Afghans change the attitudes that they have developed over thousands of years? CBC News in Review • May 2009 • Page 20 AFGHANISTAN AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN Video Review Did you know . Pre-Viewing Activity Afghanistan has a In a small group, discuss the following questions: minister of women’s 1. Should men and women in all parts of the world be guaranteed the same affairs in the government—and the human rights? Why/Why not? minister is a woman. 2. Rank the following human rights in order of importance and be prepared to explain your choices. Quote (a) The right to an education “These are the very (b) The right to marry when one chooses, and whom one chooses kinds of laws that the Taliban brought (c) The right to vote to Afghanistan, the (d) The right to dress as one chooses very kinds of laws that (e) The right to personal safety — free from domestic or public violence our government has said we are sending (f) The right to free speech troops to Afghanistan (g) The right to full employment to ensure that this kind of thing doesn’t 3. If basic human rights are being denied to men or women in a particular happen.” — Dawn region or country in the world, does the international community have Black, British Columbia an obligation to take diplomatic or military action against that country? MP, New Democratic Explain. Party 4. Do you support Canada’s military action in Afghanistan—a country where religious fundamentalists deny women basic human rights? Explain. Video Questions 1. What sort of restrictions were placed on women when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan? 2. Why did Canada and other countries become outraged when Afghanistan passed a law that stripped certain Afghan women of their rights? 3. What are some of the specific provisions of the proposed law? CBC News in Review • May 2009 • Page 21 4. How did Omar Samad, the Afghan Ambassador to Canada, explain the Quote controversial law? “It could be a turning point, but we equally know that there is a huge backlash at the moment against women’s rights in 5. How did the Afghan government respond to the international criticism Afghanistan. So the shortly after the controversy erupted? climate is getting worse, if anything, for these women to 6. What evidence exists that the Taliban continue to target women in oppose such laws.” Afghanistan? — Ceri Hayes, human rights advocate Quote 7. What happened to Sitara Achakzai? “This is Islamic country. This is Afghanistan. We want Islamic rule.”— Unidentified Afghan man 8. What happened when Afghan women publicly demonstrated against the law? Post-Viewing Activities 1.