Invading Afghanistan; The Abuse of Feminism

Words like ‘disastrous’ or ‘catastrophic’, as the mainstream media tends to use, cannot contain the consequences of the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan.

In between the years of fighting, waging war, terrorizing, forcing, and manipulating ideologies; one tends to dismiss all the lives of innocent, women, children and men. That have buried not only their loved ones but also their liberation and right to life; in the ‘Graveyard of Empires’.

After decades of failed experiences in attempting to manage control over Afghanistan; the ‘superpowers’ remain unfathomed with the destruction and displacement of Afghan women and children. Women, who over the years, have struggled to sustain their families choose not to let go of any opportunity; the Afghan woman has now become a source of weapon. To plant narratives and to justify the continuation of the occupation.

False Saviors of Women Rights

The rhetoric of ‘saving Afghan women’ goes back to the 1970s. During that time, the global, concept of ‘gender inequality’ was understood as the outcome of ‘class inequality’. Like the rest of the world, Afghanistan was also housing such social issues. The divide between class, ethnicity, and gender are to date prevalent worldwide. The complexities of sexism present in Afghanistan were no different than those observed in the homeland of its occupiers; i.e., the United States and the Soviet Union.

In 1978, the Soviet Union intervened and took power through a military coup. The communists did not win the political support of the majority. The Islamist resistance led the Soviets to resort to methods of brutal bombing and killings of millions of Afghans.

Despite resolving to harsh methods, during the civil war; Islamists had the lead when the Soviet Union intervened with another ‘objective’ of ‘women equality’. Amnesty International’s research in 1999 highlights this as a ‘political tool’ used by the political factions.

It is important to note that women have rarely actively participated in the war, yet amidst tugging of power and imposing of ideologies their rights have become a mere source of a political tool, used to push forward other sinister objectives. The great tragedy for feminism is the repetition of the politically driven rhetoric of; saving Afghan women to justify the occupation (which has been nothing short of war) with many Afghan feminists supporting the Western invasion.

Setting Trends of Misusing Media Fronts

In the 21^st century, political propagandas regularly misuse Social Movement principles whilst focusing on particular groups by manipulating their needs and requests. In Afghanistan, the West out-rightly exploited feminism under their banner of ‘pure intentions’ to attack Afghanistan, post 9/11.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, on all political and media fronts, the issue of women’s rights is being exploited. This is to undermine the Taliban’s position within the country and across the globe. The stories of absolute terror and panic which the global media has been portraying regarding women’s rights in the country remain unsubstantiated as the Taliban have repeatedly urged women to join positions in the government and girls continue to attend schools.

After the Taliban’s takeover their spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, clearly stated the importance of women’s rights in his addresses while emphasizing that women will practice their rights within the jurisdiction of Shariah on all fronts, including working in cooperation with men.

However, not only the western media, in South Asia, the Indian English Mainstream Media also continues to exploit all such acts and labels it under the ‘curse of being a woman in Afghanistan’ who live ‘without dignity and without hope’, aiming to mentally terrorize the general public with a possible fear of the ‘unknown’.

Conclusion

Throughout history, women’s rights have been exploited – be it in the so-called ‘advanced’ West or any other part of the world. Afghanistan, perhaps, is no different. No doubt the Taliban have a terrible track record, but does the great United States any better? After spending trillions has the US has not ensured safe childbirth. The country has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. The US has spent Trillions on military approaches but what about women emancipation through education. If all the parties involved, all those with genuine concerns for the betterment of Afghanistan and its people, then perhaps this could be a momentous time in history for the growth and safety of a determined and resilient people. In such uncertain times, when thinking of the international order, one cannot help but remember Orwell’s insight, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”

Also See: The US Withdrawal from Afghanistan