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Fragile Rights of Women in Afghanistan Threatened by Closed Peace Negotiations
06 Feb 2012 by Kimberly E. Carson in Women and War / 13 Comments
During 5 years of Taliban rule, women in Afghanistan were forbidden to participate in school, work, or civic society and were terrorized with Sharia law punishments for social transgressions. The international community’s invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 marked a new start for women’s rights. While Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for women, women have gradually gained access to opportunities including education, employment, and political representation.
Today, U.S. and NATO governments are increasingly focused on facilitating troop withdrawal by 2014 through peace negotiations with the Taliban. Many, like Zarin Hamid of the Afghan Women’s Network, fear that “the milestones and gains achieved by women and guaranteed by the new government may be bartered away at the negotiation table.” The reality of this risk is real. In nearby Swat Valley, Pakistan, for example, a now-failed peace agreement left the Taliban in control and resulted in reintroduction of cruel Sharia practices, banishment of women from public life, and destruction of nearly all girls’ schools in the area.
If U.S. and NATO governments do not negotiate with the Taliban before their hurried exit, it is likely that a civil war will follow troop withdrawal. Studies indicate that Afghan women favor negotiations with the Taliban if it means an end to the decades of war they have endured. However, women’s rights must not be exchanged for ceasefire. As half the population and natural forces of stabilization in post-conflict society, women are integral to achieving sustainable peace. Instead of treating women as “pet rocks in our rucksack,” U.S. and NATO governments must develop a forceful approach to the Taliban that integrates women as key players in negotiations and guarantees women’s rights in any settlement.
Afghan women should not fall victim to the domestic pressures facing U.S. and NATO governments for a quick fix to the increasingly unpopular war. To the extent that political settlement with the Taliban is irreconcilable with the protection of women’s rights, U.S. and NATO governments should be prepared to do what it takes to ensure that the Afghan government and security forces are strong enough to stand alone.
About the Author: Kimberly E. Carson
13 Comments
Felicitas Frenkler
Great article!!!!!!!
09 Feb 2012 12:02 pm (@Twitter)
Kayla O’Connell
How can other women of the world be more supportive of our sisters in Afganistan and other eastern countries where womens rights are violated?
I have heard very little on the news, CNN and other networks about these concerns. Surely some special programing would prove helpful. I could go on but you don’t want to get me started.
09 Feb 2012 09:02 pm (@Twitter)
Noemi
There are many NGOs lead by women for women in Afganistan who are trying to raise awareness and support their own people within the country..
11 Feb 2012 06:02 pm (@Twitter)
Bill C.
This was a well written and thought provoking article. It would be a shame if a US and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan resulted in a reversal of the gains in freedom that women have experienced in recent years. Women were so oppressed by the Taliban, it would be sad to see things return to that level.
13 Feb 2012 08:02 pm (@Twitter)
Janez
Then I guess we suohld give women in the Middle East guns and train them. Let see if the men want to oppressed armed women. An armed people are a free people.
22 Feb 2012 12:02 pm (@Twitter)
Holly
Great information Kim.
03 Mar 2012 12:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kayla O’Connell
How can American women encourage the UN to do more to increase awareness and give political support in these countries?
So many questions. I would love to talk to you about.
Thanks for bring this to my attention.
03 Mar 2012 01:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kimberly E. Carson
Thank you for your comments Ms. O'Connell. For suggestions on how to promote inclusion of women in peace-building in the Middle East generally, see my blog on the betrayal of the Arab Spring to women: http://www.legalblogger.com/gender-equality-veiled-arab-spring-revolutions-betray-women/.
08 Mar 2012 10:03 pm (@Twitter)
Chuck L.
I am in agreement with Bill C. Women are treated very badly in Afghanistan and the Muslims are trying to get Sharia law in the United States. We are governed by our Constitution and it would be terrible to see women treated that way in our country.
03 Mar 2012 02:03 pm (@Twitter)
Tina B.
It is shocking that all this violence against women is going on in the 21st century. I feel sometimes I am living in a bubble , taking my freedom for granted. We women in the U.S. , are so blessed and need to continue to stand with our sisters around the world who are so persicuted . Thank-you for putting this in front of my face !
03 Mar 2012 03:03 pm (@Twitter)
Peggy Carson Schropp
The women in this country don’t realize what women and children in some of the other countries have to endure. It is so sad and is such an ingrained culture that it is difficult to overcome, I certainly hope[ more progress can be made. The article really points out what needs to be done and is such an eye opener.
05 Mar 2012 09:03 pm (@Twitter)
Jan Groenemann
Kim, do you have suggestions as to what we can do here in the US to make this happen? I really appreciated this article.
05 Mar 2012 11:03 pm (@Twitter)
Kimberly E. Carson
The U.S. strategy in Afghanistan has definitely shifted to facilitate withdrawal, even at the cost of improving the rights of Afghan women. Awareness must be raised regarding the impact of withdrawal on women's rights and women must be involved in all peace processes. For more general suggestions, see my blog on women post-Arab Spring: http://www.legalblogger.com/gender-equality-veiled-arab-spring-revolutions-betray-women/. Thank you for your interest.
08 Mar 2012 10:03 pm (@Twitter)
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