Afghanistan

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible nonmilitary, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

Championing the emancipation of Afghan women is emerging as a possible non-military, post-combat role for Canada as politicians and activists debate the future of the costly mission in Afghanistan.

More than 100 women and men gathered on 11 and 12 November 2010 in Tallinn, Estonia, to discuss the implications of United Nations Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) for Afghanistan. Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet opened the conference that his ministry co-organized with the Estonian Atlantic Treaty Association, stressing the importance his government attaches to UNSCR 1325.

In a recent report, women in Afghanistan have voiced their discontent on their marginalisation in the ongoing “peace process”. The Talibanisation of Sharia law and the ongoing war has proved to be detrimental for their free movement and hence, their overall development.

Khatool Muhammadzai loves martial arts, underwent commando training in pre-Taliban Afghanistan, and has logged 500 official jumps as the only female paratrooper in the country's post-Taliban military.

But the middle-aged general, Afghanistan's highest-ranking woman officer, wants to be known as a peacemaker.

Marzia is a police officer in uniform, still a rare sight in Afghan society, even though the female component of the Afghan security forces is important in a Muslim society. If apartments need to be searched, then Marzia's job is to check the women's bedrooms and closets.

Marzia says there should be more Afghan women with jobs, and believes that the political climate is auspicious.

Can art change the world? The people at Freedom to Create believe it can. Since 2008, Freedom to Create has awarded its annual prize to honor "the power of art to fight oppression, break down stereotypes and build trust in societies where the social fabric has been ripped apart by conflict, violence and misunderstanding."

In an effort to kick-start public debate on Canada's post-combat mission in Afghanistan, CARE Canada recommends the government become an international champion for Afghan women.

Canada should focus on preserving and enhancing gains made by Afghan women, among the poorest and least powerful in the world, after troops withdraw by the end of next year, the non-government aid agency says in a report released Wednesday.

The haunting portrait of a young, disfigured Afghan woman on Time magazine's cover this summer issued a stark reminder that the stakes in Afghanistan are high -- and that the consequences of failure are brutal, especially for women.

Female servicemembers are going where their male counterparts often can't: inside Afghan homes to engage with women barred by custom from talking to male strangers.

The Female Engagement Team program officially started Oct. 1, though some teams have been operating since late May.