Afghanistan: Interview with Working for Women's Rights
“My work has always been very difficult. But since the Taliban's takeover, we have been hostile to the brazen. The Taliban supporters threaten me and also my family. It is said that I would put women on false thoughts and want to change their behavior. You think I spoil your women. "
Samira* works in a terre of the Hommes project in two poor suburbs of Kabul: Around 150 women learn to read, write and arithmetic here. 90 of them are then trained in skills with which they can generate money for themselves and their families.
It is already the second group of women who are trained by the Afghan non -governmental organization Lefao (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Afghanistan Organization) and promoted by Terre des Hommes. Already in August 2021 - shortly after the Taliban Kabul had taken - 50 women between the ages of 18 and 45 graduated in sewing and embroidery. They received a certificate, a sewing machine and other utensils to start their own business. Many future dreams of women have decayed with the takeover of the Taliban. But the possibility of earning money through home work remains.
In January 2022, a new group of women started the courses. This year, instead of sewing and embroidery, baking in a poor district and the confectioner trade will be learned, in the other quarter the women have chosen cosmetic studies. Strengthening and psychosocial support for women is still an important part of the project. Samira is responsible for this. She explains the women about their rights and shows them ways to get the numerous problems in their lives under control. We talked to her about the difficult work for women's rights in a patriarchal culture.
What problems do women have in the project?
Some have been forced as children, others lost their whole family in the war. Some have disabled children and do not cope with it. Others were sexually abused. Many of the women suffer from violence - exercised by their husbands, their fathers or brothers.
Which women take part in the courses?
Women and girls who are very bad have priority. The community leaders give us their addresses. Then we talk to them and encourage them to take part in the courses. The women are illiterate between the ages of 18 and 45. Some are single, others married or widow. They live in two arms from Kabul, some moved from other provinces to the capital.
What is your task in the project?
I try my best to give women hope for their future life. I talk to you about your problems and teach you coping mechanisms that you can use in difficult situations. I also clarify them about women's rights, gender issues, children's rights, children's marriage and other topics.
How do the women's traumas work?
In the project, for example, there was a 45-year-old woman who lost her entire family in the war except for one daughter. Her father and brother were hanged by the Taliban in front of their eyes. In class, she suddenly screamed and ran wildly because she thought that she could lose her daughter too. I try to help her heal the trauma and live a normal life with her daughter.
How did these women react to Taliban's takeover?
Some of them have bad memories of the last Taliban government, which was in power until 2001. You are very afraid. Some are no longer allowed by their families to continue their training. They all suffer more and more from poverty and hunger as the prices rise every day. But above all, they are afraid of the future of their children.
Is there anything that you would like to communicate our readers in Germany?
Please do not stop supporting the women in Afghanistan. When the projects are continued, people can still have hope for their future. And please help them whose life is in danger and evacuates them.
* The name has been changed for security reasons. For the same reason, the name of the partner organization, which the project is redeemed, is not mentioned.