Women in Afghanistan

1. Women in Afghanistan By: Emily Rheault

2. Reputation • Once a women’s reputation is tarnished, she is no longer respectable and society’s respect cannot be re-attained. • Men, on the other hand, can redeem their tarnished reputation through revenge. • Some events that can ruin an Afghan woman’s reputation include promiscuity, rape, and divorce . • (Society and Norms – Gender Roles: Women)

3. Marriage • Afghan women tend to marry young • Marriages are commonly arranged • Generally do not work outside the home, and are usually restricted to socializing with female relatives. • Afghan society regards unmarried women over the age of 25 and divorced women with disapproval.

4. Marriage cont. • If widowed, a brother or father of the deceased husband will often take the widow as another wife or otherwise provide for her. • (Society and Norms – Gender Roles: Women)

5. Under the Taliban Rule • It was mandatory for women during the rule to wear a burka to ensure modesty. • If a woman was caught not wearing a burka by the Taliban, consequences included being beaten. • Some still wear a burka for safety in areas where the Taliban are still active. • (Society and Norms – Gender Roles: Women)

6. A A Common Afghan Burka

7. Taliban Rule cont. • The Taliban banned women from the work force, removed girls from schools, and expelled them from universities. • Prohibited women from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative • Prohibited women and girls from being examined by male physicians while at the same time prohibited female doctors and nurses from working • (Campaign for Afghan Women & Girls - Taliban & Women)

8. Post-Taliban • After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, women have gained political rights that include women being appointed to prominent positions in the government. • The legal age for women allowed to be married is now 17 instead of 18. • Women can be employed, but only if their male relatives permit it.

9. Post-Taliban Continued • The government has enforced laws that limit women’s rights that include (for Shi’a women): • Can only leave their homes except for “legitimate” purposes. • Forbids women from working or receiving education without their husbands’ express permission • Explicitly permits marital rape

10. Post Taliban Continued • Diminishes the right of mothers to be their children’s guardians in the event of a divorce • Makes it impossible for wives to inherit houses and land from their husbands – even though husbands may inherit immoveable property from their wives • (Life as an Afghan Woman)

11. Afghan Woman Voting

12. Facts/Statistics • More women die in pregnancy and childbirth than almost anywhere else in the world. 1 in 50 women will die during pregnancy or childbirth—one every 2 hours. • 9 out 10 women are illiterate • Life expectancy is 44, one of the lowest in the world • More than 50% of Afghan girls are married or engaged by 10. Almost 60% of girls are married by 16.

13. Facts cont. • Only 40% of Afghan girls attend elementary school, and only one in 20 girls attend school beyond the sixth grade. • Afghanistan has 1.5 million widows, one of the highest proportions in the world. • The average age of an Afghan widow is 35. • (Life as an Afghan Woman)

14. Works Cited • "Society and Norms – Gender Roles: Women." Society and Norms and Gender Roles. University of Western Florida, 2009. Web. 02 Mar. 2013. • "Life as an Afghan Woman." Trust in Education. Trust in Education RSS, 2012. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.

15. Works Cited • "Campaign for Afghan Women & Girls - Taliban & Women." - Taliban & Women - Feminist Majority Foundation. Campaign for Afghan Women & Girls, 2013. Web. 02 Mar. 2013.