By AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Women are at the frontline in protecting women’s human rights in Afghanistan. They are teachers, doctors, journalists, activists and politicians. Many have been killed or threatened because of their work to protect women’s rights, while some have fled the country. They face intimidation and attacks; some are threatened by their families for daring to speak out. The Taliban see their work as defying culture, religion and accepted role of women in society.
As Australian troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of 2013 the question must be asked, what will happen to the women? Amnesty International spoke to four brave and committed women – some who have paid a high price for their bravery – about the risks they face in championing the rights of women and girls. Here is the first of their stories. For security reasons, names* have been changed.
Dr D.*
Dr. D. works as a gynaecologist providing healthcare to women suffering from abuse, including rape and domestic violence. She spoke Amnesty International how her family was targeted by the Taliban as a result of her work.
The problems started back in 2007 when I was living in Kunar province. I was working in a clinic frequently carrying out abortions on girls who had fallen pregnant after being raped by their male relatives.
There were different kinds of cases, for example, girls pregnant by their uncles, others by their brother-in-laws. They came to my clinic because they had to have an abortion or they would have been killed by their relatives or members or their community as an “honour” killing.
I would receive threatening night letters and phone calls from the Taliban, warning that they would kill me and my family because of my work.
Two years later, in March 2009, it was evening and I heard an explosion and rushed outside. My children had been playing in the front yard.
My 11-year-old son was very badly wounded and lying on the ground. I was shocked and don’t remember what happened next.
My son had to have medical treatment for almost a year and we were busy moving him from hospital to hospital. The incident badly affected him.
He became mentally ill. He is always tired and depressed and always asks why this happened to him.
Six months later, my 22-year old brother was also killed in a grenade attack in front of our house. They threw a grenade at him while he was walking to our home. We have suffered a lot in our life.
We reported the threats to the government, but nobody listened to us and we have felt very discouraged. They have done nothing so far. I tried to seek justice and asked the government agencies to find the perpetrators, but they ignored us and did nothing.
In 2009, we moved from Kunar after my son was wounded in the grenade attack. Now I have stopped doing abortions and keep a low profile at work. Nobody knows my address. If they know my whereabouts they will start threatening me again.
The situation here is very bad for women. Women have problems going out to work and girls are prevented from going to school. There are too many cases of violence against women. I have witnessed 30 to 50 cases in a month.
When I tell the women to report their case to the police they refuse because their family would be ashamed of them and would treat them very badly. They don’t go to the police and they tolerate the violence and harassment.
We have to help our people, particularly women, they need us and we have to serve the country and the people. I can’t sit at home and doing nothing, this is not in my nature.
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people campaigning to protect human rights. This year Amnesty International is campaigning both in Australia and globally to ensure women and girls in Afghanistan are protected, enjoy their full set of human rights, and are empowered and supported in leading changes in their lives. You can support the women of Afghanistan by signing our petition or follow us at www.facebook.com/amestyoz or on twitter @amnestyOz.
Top Comments
I believe that the work of AMNESTY is vital and one of the ways we can help women in need in Afghanistan.(for eg).
It's not that the men in that country don't also need to be helped, but those women live in such peril.
Many of those Asylum seekers who are conned into getting onto leaky boats share experiences like these.......some are trying to protect their sons from being scooped up by the Taliban and recruited into battle......they're trying to protect their daughters from violence, rape & death,.........they're leaving in secret to cover their tracks from these fundamentalists by leaving their identities behind them - not just to protect themselves but any vulnerable family left behind.
It's so sad to read the posts of people who simply don't understand what's happening in those countries where women are murdered for simply trying to get an education or help other women.
They're going to need our help even more when the troops leave and one of the ways we can help is to make a donation monthly to AMNESTY.
We can also speak up and be a voice for those women who are being suffocated.
Those who harm women think that they'll get away with it.
Let them know that they never will.
I can't begin to imagine the challenges women face daily in Afghanistan. Those of us living in safety have a responsibility to do what we can to help. Thanks MamaMia for publishing this story.