CanadaNews’ Reporter Notes

Last year (I think in Feb or Mar) I was attending a press conference at the National Press Building that was sponsored by Ms Magazine.  Ms Magazine is a U.S. publication that focuses on the concerns and issues of women worldwide.  The press conference was overflowing with people who have a deep desire in changing the status of women in Afghanistan. 

With all of the fighting in the former Taliban stronghold; both literal and political;  many people don’t focus on the other things going on.  The magazine’s executive editor, Katherine Spillar, moderated the event.  Speakers who participated were:  Dr. Sima Samar, chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority. 

The United Nations and various NGOs have called for the Bush Administration and the  international community to support expansion of international peacekeeping forces throughout Afghanistan, Spillar stated.  With that, Dr. Samar added, “Over 40,000 people have signed up for the National Army. But they are either getting paid late or not at all.  The same numbers exist in the local police.” 

The wages the law enforcement are offered are generally very small.  Suprisingly, the local police are getting paid less than the National Army.  Considering all they have to do [especially risking their lives] they get paid next to nothing.  Because of this, some of the local police turn to supporting the Taliban or can turn a blind-eye when crimes are being committed. 

One of the main points of the press conference I can remember is the push to remind the United States government to “…not use human rights as a showcase…”  It’s true.  People all too often throw around this issue to draw sympathy, but don’t use this opportunity to put their money where their mouth is.  For the most part, people want more money used in reconstruction of Afghanistan; from government to helping the poorest of the poor. I am reminded of the Afghan-U.S. Chamber of Commerence Conference I attended late last year that focused on the same thing. 

One thing I agree with is:  Women’s’ health is extremely limited in Afghanistan. 

Some people aren’t aware that half of women in child-birth die as a result of complications during or after child-birth.  Something like 38 percent of all women in the city have skills/trade, compared to 8 percent in the rural areas. 

According to the Feminist Majority, Women and girls continue to be the focus of violence and intimidation.  Today, experts estimate a school for girls is burned or a female teacher is killed everyday in Afghanistan.  Spillar added that over 300 schools for women have been burned since the fall of the Taliban. 

Daily warlords and pro-Taliban groups attempt to prevent women from going to school and presently only 37 percent of all Afghani women go to school.  “The United States government has failed to put a system in place years after occupation.  The Allied resistance is responsible for thousands of civilian deaths.  Sadly, those deaths are women and young girls,” said Eleanor Smeal. 

Smeal said, “Despite the attacks and threats, brave Afghan women are still working to regain their roles as full participants in civil society.  Many women even defied traditional thinking and filed as candidates in the 2005 election.  Some ran and lost; but some ran and won, even in the face of violence. ” 

Groups like The Feminist Majority felt so strongly about aiding the women there, that in 2002, they led various women’s groups in having the United States Congress authorize $60 million for women’s programs.  This resulted in $5 million actually appropriated for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in 2003.  In 2005 and 2006 appropriations, Congress included $50 million for programs benefiting Afghan women and girls.