The plight of women in Afghanistan

November 20, 2007 - (CBC News) According to a poll conducted in Afghanistan by Environics in partnership with the CBC, 70 per cent of respondents in Kandahar province believe that women in that country are better off now than they were in 2002.

Whether you believe the poll numbers or not, it's difficult for most Canadians to understand what the situation is for women in Afghanistan today.

Warrant Officer Lori Coady of the Canadian Forces specializes in civilian-military cooperation and has worked extensively in Kandahar province. From building schools for children in the province, to dealing directly with the issues affecting Afghan women, W.O. Coady has a unique perspective on the realities facing families in Afghanistan.

W.O. Lori Coady answered questions on the plight of women and children in Afghanistan and what prospects lie in their future.

What is the biggest challenge facing Afghan women today?

W.O. Lori Coady: In my opinion the biggest challenge facing Afghans is the security situation. This affects Afghanistan as a whole. Challenges for women from different areas can be and are quite different. Gaining recognition and respect from their communities is a challenge. It takes courage for the women to stand up for their rights and also time to achieve them.

However, good things are happening. A co-worker of mine from the KPRT stated that when she saw the Provincial Council internal representatives elected, she was delighted to see three women sitting on the Council. And even more delighted to see one get elected by her peers as Secretary.

How much freedom are women in Afghanistan really wanting? In such a male dominated society, when they have been brought up to beleive they are not equal to men, can they fully grasp the type of freedoms we have and are they seeking that?

W.O. Lori Coady: I cannot speak for all the women in Afghanistan as I am not a woman from Afghanistan. However, the newly elected Government declared in 2004 that "all people are equal."

Don’t forget, it wasn't until 1960 that Aboriginal women who were status Indians got the right to vote. And that was in Canada. The types of freedoms we have? Well, we have the right to an education and I believe that they want that also.

You have served one tour in Afghanistan, and as a reservist you volunteered to do that. Would you consider serving a second tour?

W.O. Lori Coady: This was actually my third tour and my second in Afghanistan (first one was in Kabul.) And, yes, I would deploy again. Just don't tell my mother.

What is the biggest achievement for [women and girls] since the "western" nations have been on the ground there?

W.O. Lori Coady: Personally, I believe the biggest achievement is that women and children are now going to school and getting a well-deserved education. Afghanistan had a 12 -14% literacy rate for females and because of this you will see adult women in grade school classes. These women are strong and determined to get an education.

There are many other achievements being reached by the women in Afghanistan, such as being elected by councils and running for government positions.

Are Afghan women able to exercise self determination in their daily lives? Can they pursue education, professions, etc.?

W.O. Lori Coady: Like I stated in the previous answer, adult Afghan women are attending classes to make up for lost time in their education.

Also, as I stated before, situations differ all over the country. I worked inside Kandahar Province and there are major differences between the City and the rural areas of Kandahar. There are still areas that do not support the rights of women attending school and the women still do not feel safe to do so.

Afghan women are granted the right to pursue professions. The fact is that not all women feel safe enough to do so. However, there are many brave, strong and intelligent women working in capacities such as teachers, principals, doctors and also in places of Government.

Are women in Afghanistan able to feed their families healthier foods now, in comparison to five years ago?

W.O. Lori Coady: Malnutrition is still one of the major problems in Afghanistan. This can also be attributed to the drought of the past 7 years. This year has brought a desirable amount of rain that has assisted the crop production greatly. Tie this in with the governmental support in developing agriculture in different regions of the province and the financial support of the International Community (CIDA included.)

Another initiative being pursued is by the World Food Program where they offer girls with good attendance in school food substance and cooking oil every month.

The Taliban and Al Quida have killed numerous children and women to intimidate the female population. Do you think most women are prepared to stand up to intimidation, and I would like to know if there good family support from most women in the average household from brothers and fathers?

W.O. Lori Coady: While Afghan culture supports a strong family bond, it still must be upheld by Pastunwali, the Pashtun code of conduct. The interpretation of Pastunwali by the Taliban had resulted in extreme rules and repercussions for not following these rules.

There are a few women who have taken leadership roles with the support of their families, thus showing not only their strength but also that of their families. There are a handful of women becoming police officers, Provincial Council Members, doctors and teachers.

Things are improving and one of the areas that I mention again and again is the education system. Little girls are going to schools with the support of their families. The little brothers, cousins, friends of these girls are seeing this and it is becoming the "norm" to these little boys. In turn, these little boys grow to be men and are already instilled with the idea that education for females is the "norm" and so on.

Do you feel there is a cultural shift with women being recognized as persons and given standing in courts etc or is it more symbolic?

W.O. Lori Coady: As said before the elected Government has declared "all people are equal" and there are representatives from UN and DFAIT working in regions like Kabul and Kandahar to help ensure this is fact, not just symbolism. However, it is true that it is more common to see a woman walking alone in the city but not so much in the rural areas.

What was the situation for the Women over there before Canada came to help, and what are the differences today compared to before?

W.O. Lori Coady: To say that women were oppressed is a gross understatement. When the Taliban was in control, women were not considered people. Public executions and limb amputations were commonplace; women were restricted to stay inside their huts unless with a male family member and were forced to cover their body — head to toe — when a woman did leave; there was no education, no jobs and no proper healthcare. Maternal mortality was very high due to this lack of healthcare.

Now women can hold jobs. They are legally equal. They are doing things unimaginable to them 5-7 years ago. They are being educated and being trained in areas such as midwifery. They are also graduating high school and aiming to go to University.

Are people glad to see us there, and do they really appreciate what we are doing there to help them?

W.O. Lori Coady: I asked myself that same question everyday. And everyday I had a different answer. I was welcomed into places with open arms and received a cold handshake at other places. However, even with a cold welcome the aid that Canada was offering with me as a vehicle was always accepted.

The individuals I would ask that same question to would be the Language Assistants (translators) that worked in our camp. Their response was that our help is welcomed as long it is what Afghans want. We are very careful to ensure that what help we give is that which the villages request and distributed on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan.

Yes, people do appreciate that we are there. They recognize that it is a tough battle and they know that the Canadian public is worried about the soldiers and that there is a chance that we'll leave. They tell us all the time that they hope that does not happen. People are still afraid.

What have been the driving force(s) behind the improvements that have been seen for women in Afghanistan in the past several years? Do you feel that the cultural shift in the way women are viewed has been strong enough to ensure that these improvements will be maintained after the international presence in Afghanistan decreases?

W.O. Lori Coady: A more secure and stable Afghanistan. The strong and brave women themselves are taking risks that would have been fatal only a few years ago.

Is the way western countries do aid beneficial to Afghan women/children/families?

W.O. Lori Coady: The combined effect of the Canadian Government using the "Whole of Government" approach (CIDA, DFAIT and the CF,) the NGOs working in Afghanistan, the NGOs working in Canada and USAID have definitely been beneficial to Afghan women/children/families.

However there are not many international NGOs doing development in Afghanistan because of the security situation. That’s where the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) comes in.

With this whole of government approach, we can fill the gap until things stabilize and the NGOs can get back in there to do what they do best.

There is strong coordination inside the PRT to ensure activities between all entities are aligned. With the security situation as it is, CIMIC becomes the "feet on the ground" and becomes a facilitator of reconstruction requirements. We have CIMIC members working inside Kandahar Province in many different capacities and some sit in the weekly "shuras" or meetings of the Districts. During these meetings, the needs of locals are assessed.

These CIMIC teams also work with the Community Development Councils (CDCs,) an elected council of community representatives to mentor development projects.

I'm sure doing CIMIC work in Kandahar province is both incredibly frustrating and incredibly rewarding at times. Can you tell us what you found most frustrating about the work, and also what you found most rewarding?

W.O. Lori Coady: The most frustrating thing about working with CIMIC is trying to "do it all" while accepting the fact we really shouldn't do anything but let the Afghans do for themselves. We can provide guidance, mentorship and financial support but it is what they want, not what WE want. Also frustrating is expecting a project to be finished within a certain timeline. You learn pretty quickly that it's on their time, not yours. The Afghan pace.

The most rewarding thing was seeing the Afghans complete a project and then seeing them take the lead of another project.

What is being done to protect the Afghan women who are putting themselves at risk in order to advance women's rights in Afghanistan? For example, I read a few months ago about the woman who was running an American-backed radio station in Afghanistan, and who was shot to death one night while she slept next to her five-month-old son. What is being done to prevent future tragedies such as this one?

W.O. Lori Coady: Improving the security over all. Operations are conducted by the Battle Group to provide security to Kandahar. Key people are working with the Government to help ensure that women's rights are pursued without repercussion. There’s no doubt, it is dangerous. Strengthening the ANP and the justice system and showing determination and resolve in meeting a secure end is all we can do. It’s unfortunate, but reality.

What are going to be the key barriers in setting up a successful health infrastructure in Afghanistan?

Also what are your views on the forced use of Burka's? I completely understand the purpose of the Hijab and have little to no issues with it. However, I don't believe the Burka is in any way tied to Islam, and is rather a clear sign of oppression and a violation of women's basic rights.

W.O. Lori Coady: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has taken the lead for the international community for a number of reasons. From Canada's perspective, CIDA has the lead. It is a reality that some of our projects and initiatives can become targets to insurgents and so we refrain from associating ourselves with the health care side of things.

What is the latest information about girls getting access to education and what are some of the challenges Afghanistan faces with regards to educating girls?

W.O. Lori Coady: Latest information is that in Kandahar City and outlying regions there are girls going to schools. There are "Girls Only" schools and the ones that are coed are split into shifts (i.e. boys in the morning and girls in the afternoon.) Yes, there are women teachers and principals.

Some children come from the rural areas to attend the schools in the city due to the increased security and a perceived better education.

Challenges that they meet daily are threats, both at the child and the parents. Sometimes it can be a transportation issue, as the nearest school can be too far away to get to for some families.

What development programs is Canada involved in which are specifically aimed at women?

W.O. Lori Coady: Canada is involved in many ways. I recently returned from Calgary and spoke to some Canadian women who are doing great things for women in Afghanistan.

On the larger scale and in Afghanistan itself CIDA is the lead on the long term development programs for Canada.

As CIMIC, there were programs such as midwifery training projects, micro-financing for development of skills, and provision of certain tools such as sewing machines so that they could sell what they produced.

How do the women of Afghanistan, used to traditional female roles, react to you and other female members of the Canadian Forces?

W.O. Lori Coady: With a smile and a handshake. Or a hug if the situation permits. They are definitely more comfortable talking to female soldiers. The reaction of the Afghan men is sometimes the more interesting of the two.

There are those in Afghanistan who wish the Canadian Forces departed. Did you find examples of this sentiment among the female Afghans?

W.O. Lori Coady: Not the females that I have dealt with.

How do you explain the fact that so many women involved with the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) feel that the Canadian troops should leave immediately as they are causing unnecessary harm and death to families and communities?

W.O. Lori Coady: Unfortunately I cannot explain the opinions of others. But to state that the troops are causing unnecessary harm and death to families and communities is unfounded. Canadian troops have a key role in the training of the ANA [Afghan National Army] and also in liaison with the RCMP in training the ANP [Afghan National Police] to help provide a secure and stable Afghanistan. Not to mention all the reconstruction efforts to rebuild communities throughout the province.

What DO the Afghan women want? And how are they approached to determine this? For example, are they presented with Western society's vision of freedom and asked to shape what they want from examples in the Western world? Or are they perhaps asked what would make their lives better? Furthermore, how much involvement do they have in steering the direction of the progress?

W.O. Lori Coady: Afghan women were not always treated so badly. It was with the extreme interpretation of Pashtuwali during the Taliban regime that the worst of the atrocities occurred.

I would only be assuming what Afghan women want as surely each woman would have her own opinion. Now it stands to reason that when I see women working as teachers and running for government positions that they do want equal opportunity. And it stands to reason that when they come to the KPRT for help and they are taking risks to make a better life for themselves that they want rights. And it stands to reason that when I see little girls going to school that it is the mothers, as well as the fathers that are taking them there every day.

The goal of Canada in Afghanistan is to help the Government of Afghnanistan (GoA) rebuild their country and improve security. It is not to push Canada's ideals of the "Western" way and our own idea of freedom. If a woman chooses to wear a burq'a then she can wear a burq'a. And if she doesn't choose to then she shouldn't have to.

The Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and its pillars are used by the GoA as guidelines to rebuild. We use the same pillars and do not conduct projects unless they are "blessed" by the people of Afghanistan. After all, it is their country, not ours. Key international personnel are located in Kabul to ensure rights and freedoms are protected.

The Afghan people are not only asked what they want, but they are very forthcoming in approaching the KPRT to tell what they want. There is major development at the village level in the form of Community Development Councils or CDCs where the villagers elect a council and choose project priorities. And yes, there are over 100 female CDCs with funding coming for more.

Do you think the girls attending schools have equal opportunities in their learning since 2003?

W.O. Lori Coady: They have the same curriculum as the boys: math, physics, etc. Again, there are key people in Kabul to help guide the Ministry of Education. However girls usually can only go to grade 9 whereas the boys go to 12.

There are girls in University and can enroll as long as they pass the entrance exam that everyone has to take. There is a high failure rate of this test and the Director of Education has identified and is addressing the problem.

The Director of Education spoke to me on the low percentage of female high school graduates and he recognizes the need to increase the numbers. The support of the government is required to ensure that girls can continue to get a good education.

Of course, there are always differences between villages, districts, provinces.

Widows have to be especially vulnerable in Afghan society. Do they have a voice in village councils? Can they own property? Are they free to carry on their own business?

W.O. Lori Coady: Sometimes the widow is forced to marry her husband’s brother to stay in the house hold. The Director of Women’s affairs is working hard to support women who are vulnerable. There are also women’s groups who work in secret to give women employability skills.

I suspect they need a male to advocate for them. Can you give us a little insight to their lives?

W.O. Lori Coady: Yes this is true. Unfortunately women are heavily dependant on the support of the men in her family. The Womans Council can have the goods to sell but the man will go the market.

How are men - either family members or other community members - responding to the changes in the lives of girls and women in Afghanistan?

W.O. Lori Coady: Attitudes differ. While I worked in Kandahar City and spoke to educated men such as teachers, principals and directors the reaction was a positive one. The Director of Education had a profound interest in increasing the number of female high school graduates.

A principal of one of the schools brought me into one of his classrooms filled with little girls and proceeded to tell them that they could be anything they wanted when they grew up. Maybe even a soldier (like me) when they get older.

Other communities believe that it is a waste of time to teach a girl. They believe women will never be leaders and you are only taking the position away from another boy.

Do women in Afghanistan have more freedom today to investigate and participate in other religions like Christianity (which are not so oppressive to women as Islam)?

W.O. Lori Coady: Its nature is not to be oppressive. Like Christianity there are different interpretations. What is wrong is how it was used and interpreted by specific men and used as a contributor to the oppression of women. There are, in fact, other religions practicing in Afghanistan.

There's quite a large cultural gap between your world and their's. How do Afghan women react to you?

W.O. Lori Coady: It really depends on the situation. When speaking with the Director of Womans Affairs the reaction is non-existent as she is used to speaking to us. Women in villages usually go inside their houses when we visit. I have had the opportunity to go inside these houses and the reaction was sometimes one of bemusement. Men showed different reactions wherever I went. Usually a bold little boy was dared to run up to me to look at my face and then run back to his friends giggling.

Being a women is for the most part a prerequisite to talking to rural Afghan women; do you feel that there are sufficient numbers of women among Canadian forces to ensure that the concerns of Afghan women are given appropriate priority in the planning of projects intended to assist them?

W.O. Lori Coady: Being a woman certainly grants me an advantage, and is sometimes the only way to communicate with Afghan women. However, the men of the Canadian Forces also ensure that their concerns are given priority.

Relationships with key local women have been established and when they come to the PRT to address concerns they do speak to the men also. Don't forget that the KPRT houses not only the CF, but also CIDA and DFAIT to address issues regarding women.

The fact is that we assist the planning of projects. The Afghans set the priority. Are you adequately prepared/trained for this complex work?

W.O. Lori Coady: There is an average of nine months "work up" training that is taken prior to deploying overseas. This includes specific CIMIC (Civil-Military Coordination) training such as cultural education and language training. So, yes, I believe that we are sent over with the best training possible to tackle the required work.

From: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourinterview/2007/11/the_plight_of_women_in_afghani.html