The time to raise the voice has come. Thats exactly what around a thousand Afghan women(one of the most secluded in international societies)called for across some of the most important and volatile provinces of Afghanistan. These are the women that have borne the brunt of Afghanistan’s violent history. Even now with violence raging across the war-torn nation, women and children are the most affected. Its time the poor women of this ancient country come out and demand a right to live.
No doubt the brave women have come out and shown their courage to demand an end to the war but it must not forgotten that having done so these brave souls have made them vulnerable to Taliban and Islamic fundamentalist attacks. But demanding rights is an initial way forward for a much better future for the Afghan society as a whole. A society that respects the rights of its women is less likely to encourage radical terrorism. The whole of Afghanistan, not just six provinces, needs its female population to come forward and raise their voice for a better future. Before the Taliban came to power, Afghan women were the most educated in the society. That spirit and confidence among the women need to be encouraged both by the Afghan government and by the international community. For if women raise their voice and show mutual solidarity throughout the country, no fundamentalist force can come in their way whatever may be the cost. A woman’s right is a human right.
The rare display of unity by the Afghan women should be an encouraging sign for the Hamid Karzai government along with the international community. Women from all over Afghanistan should be included in the rebuilding process of the war-ravaged nation. Ordinary Afghan people should be encouraged to provide the women and girls of their society with proper education and help them in shedding their burqa. Afghanistan needs its women society to actively participate in the rebuilding process which in turn could stop the violence, killings and losses. Its through a democratic political platform that the women should launch their attacks against the Taliban.
