Afghan women celebrate women’s rights

KHOWST PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN - The women, clad head to toe in light blue burkas provided a stark contrast to the female Soldiers in Multi-cam uniforms attending a shura at the civil military operations center in Khowst City March 8.

More than 270 women gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day, sponsored by the Director of Women’s Affairs in Khowst City. It was a day to celebrate being a woman and to discuss changes needed to increase women’s rights.

Women from various U.S. Army units, including the 3-19th Agribusiness Development Team, the 870th Military Police Company, and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division were invited to attend the event.

“It was the first time coalition forces had been invited to attend the International Women’s Day in Khowst Province,” said U.S. Army Maj. Rosemary Reed, 95th Civil Affairs, Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team, and a resident of Tacoma, Wash. “It is a sign that they have an increased trust and interest in working with us and may continue to do this in the future.”

In a country where women’s rights often take a backseat, it is especially important for key leaders from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Khowst Province to meet and address women’s issues and concerns openly and publicly, said Reed.

Events included speeches from Khowst Provincial Gov. Abdul Jabbar Naeemi and key female leaders in the community. It also included poetry readings from several high school students and a song by several local girls celebrating the contributions their mothers make to society.

“Our government is trying to do better for women and we are trying to bring equality to women,” said Naeemi.

He praised the strength of Afghan women in the face of war and the loss of loved ones. Naeemi also promised to try to improve their legal rights. One issue he addressed is the practice of families giving girls under the age of 18 to old men for marriage.

“We will work to solve these issues until our grandkids do not have to pick up a weapon for fighting but can go to school for education,” Naeemi said.

He told the women about a five-year plan to build schools and parks, and to increase women’s education. In addition, Naeemi reminded the women that a child’s education starts at home. It is a mother’s job to understand how to raise a child and is important to instill in the child manners and respect for women from the beginning, he said.

“This is a woman’s problem. Women raise men,” said Hakmina, a female provincial council member. “You have to teach a man how to live, and you need to teach him how to respect his mother.”

The presence of the governor at the International Women’s Day event showed he was supportive of addressing those concerns and issues involving women, Reed said.

“It shows there is a commitment from GIRoA, whether that be through a project or certain laws,” Reed said.

Coalition forces along with GIRoA officials presented certificates of appreciation to women who had gone above and beyond for women’s rights.

“It was nice to be part of something that is helping build the infrastructure of Afghanistan, especially since it’s helping women come up in society,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Julissa Matute Velasquez, a 870th MP team leader and a resident of San Jose, Calif.