All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.
- Albert Einstein
As I began to reflect over the weekend about the meaning of today’s global holiday, celebrating the achievements, rights and worth of women, my thoughts took a flight of fancy to a world (if not run by women) where women had an equal say in all things, large and small. Then, I opened the newspaper and was jerked back to reality.
Sunday’s Washington Post article, “In Afghanistan, U.S. shifts strategy on women’s rights as it eyes wider priorities” by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, highlights how quickly seemingly solid forward progress for women in Afghanistan can evaporate due to exogenous factors completely outside of their control. And, control in any realm really is the issue, isn’t it?
This particular case in point relates to land rights (to inherit, obtain and transfer land) and the requirement that a certain minimum number of deeds be granted to Afghan women. Since land is the base of power and wealth in both agrarian and urban settings, deeds are an indicator of control. No land ownership, no power, no wealth…no control.
Chandrasekaran quotes an official at USAID on this matter, “If you’re targeting an issue, you need to target it in a way you can achieve those objectives. The women’s issue is one where we need hardheaded realism. There are things we can do, and do well. But if we become unrealistic and over focused . . . we get ourselves in trouble.”
Said differently: If you have to dumb down a program in order to show results when you execute, it’s okay to cut out the women. As the article continues, the line of reasoning deteriorates from there, with a quote from a different official speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“Gender issues are going to have to take a back seat to other priorities. There’s no way we can be successful if we maintain every special interest and pet project. All those pet rocks in our rucksack were taking us down.” I’m sure the women of Afghanistan appreciate being blamed for USAID’s failed development strategies. As a woman and an American taxpayer, I am incensed by the comparison.
Women’s advocates here and abroad have been worrying about if (or when) the Karzai government would begin trading away women’s rights. As I said in my July 15, 2010 posting entitled “Afghan Women’s Rights are non-negotiable. Full Stop”:
We’re worried that women will get traded away when the final deal (with the Taliban) gets cut, and we know this would be a disastrous mistake.
Since then, Karzai has continued to weaken women’s rights. One example is the controversial rule barring private safe houses for victims of domestic abuse which puts shelters funded by the international community under direct Afghan government control and permits the country’s few public shelters (totaling 14 nationwide in a country with 34 provinces and massive need) to force women to return to their abusive situations.
However, hope is not lost. Thankfully, both Afghan women and the American taxpayer have Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a passionate advocate of women’s rights, standing for us. Like in ice hockey, she’s our “enforcer.”
As I said in my October 28, posting “Update from State,” Secretary Clinton “stated unequivocally that the rights of Afghan women would be protected in any reconciliation deal and that the option of returning women to “the dark years” of oppression under the Taliban is unacceptable. She underscored that the full integration of women into civil society is critical to the ultimate success of Afghanistan as a country.”
So today of all days, let’s each take a minute to remember the call to action inspired by International Women’s Day: to reflect on progress made by women; to call for change; and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who on a daily basis plan an extraordinary role in the advancement of women’s rights.
Go Afghan women; go Hillary; go girls everywhere, go.
Two women in ARZU's program in the Women's Community Center tea room during Founder & CEO Connie K. Duckworth's visit to Afghanistan, June 2010.
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Hello Connie!
Your work in Afghanistan is wonderful and I consider you a hero!
Coco Loren
Coco – thank you for your interest! We have passed your kind words along to Connie. Though she is unreachable while traveling for the next few weeks, she is very interested in connecting. She has asked that we put you in contact with ARZU’s Director of International Programs, Melissa Bertenthal. Her email is mbr@arzustudiohope.org, and her phone number is 312.730.7604. Thanks again!
I deeply admire Ms. Connie Duckworth’s bravery, compassion for the Afghan women, and her creativity and innovations for setting up and making ARZU a viable enterprise.
I watched the video of Connie Duckworth’s wonderful work with the impoverished women of Afghanistan. I know that Connie came from Wall Street and from an elite household and I realized she made a lot of sacrifice in going to and helping an impoverished country and people she never knew before.
She took bold risks of living and working in a war zone and in a male-dominated society and culture.
Being a development worker myself for the last three and a half decades, I know the joys and fulfillment of working with poor people and by watching your video, I know that you too have found meaning and joy in your work.
Please continue your bold dreams and work for the women and children of Afghanistan.
God bless you so much. And Merry Christmas!
Jack
19 Dec. 2011
PHILIPPINES