Afghanistan: ‘Palpable’ Fear of ‘Brutal and Systemic Repression’ Of Women Grows
New
Age Islam News Bureau
23
September 2021
•
Women's Inheritance Can Only Be Claimed In Their Lifetime, Rules Pakistan SC
•
Jewish, Arab Women March in Jerusalem for Palestine-Israel Peace Deal
•
Princess Nourah: The Woman Who Had ‘The Brain of 40 Men’
•
Yemeni Woman Turns Home into School
•
Chandigarh: Cycle Rally In Support Of Afghan Women Rights
•
Women’s Handball’s Success Can Motivate Iranian Girls: Coach
•
Woman Complains Of Forced Conversion Bid, Converted To Islam
Husband
Booked In Himachal Pradesh
•
Afghan Women MPs Arrive In Greece on Way to US
Compiled
by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/repression-women-afghanistan-brutal/d/125423
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Afghanistan: ‘Palpable’ Fear of ‘Brutal and Systemic Repression’ Of Women Grows
September
22, 2021
©UNICEF/ As schools slowly reopen in parts of
Afghanistan, it is important to ensure that both girls and boys are able to
return safely.
-----
NEW
YORK — Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last month, they have made
some commitments to uphold human rights. However, their subsequent actions have
“sadly Contradicted” those promises, the UN rights chief told a side event of
the General Assembly on Tuesday.
Michelle
Bachelet informed a high-level event on safeguarding 20 years of international
engagement in Afghanistan, that women have been “progressively excluded from
the public sphere”, prohibited from appearing without a male guardian and face
increasing restrictions on their right to work.
“The
Ministry that once promoted women's rights has been disbanded, and its premises
taken over by a Ministry for the propagation of Virtue and the prevention of
Vice — an all-male office that will apply guidelines on appropriate dress and
behavior” the human rights chief said.
Moreover,
Taliban representatives have dismantled many other former government offices
for women’s affairs, gaining access to sensitive files, threatening staff, and
accusing women's civil society groups of spreading “anti-Islamic” ideas.
“There
is real and palpable fear among Afghan women of a return to the Taliban's
brutal and systemic repression of women and girls during the 1990s,” said the
High Commissioner.
Severe
consequences
Meanwhile,
a growing humanitarian crisis across the country is putting one million
children in danger of extreme hunger, with families headed by women — most of
whom can no longer work — among those at greatest risk.
Over
the last 20 years, Afghan women have worked towards ensuring greater respect
for and protection of their rights to education, work, political participation
and freedom — of movement and expression.
“These
rights are part of the evolution of Afghan society and are integral to the
development and economic growth of Afghanistan,” underscored Bachelet.
As
women and girls comprise half of Afghanistan’s population, she reminded that
the country would benefit by utilizing their talents and capabilities.
Uphold
human rights
The
High Commissioner said that “first and foremost”, women and girls must have
full and equal access to essential services, including healthcare and
education; be able to work in every sector of the economy; be free to move
without restrictions; and live free of all gender-related violence.
“In
short, Afghan women and girls’ human rights must be upheld and defended”.
When
engaging with the Taliban, Bachelet stressed that the international community,
including the UN and all its member states, must commit to “strong advocacy
that demands compliance with these basic requirements for any fair and just
society”.
“Respect
for the rights of the women and girls of Afghanistan now will be a harbinger of
the country's future”, she said. “They face extraordinary challenges – and we
will remain at their side”.
School
closed for girls
Henrietta
Fore, executive director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), outlined some of
the country’s advances, from tripling the number of schools since 2002 to
increasing youth literacy from 47 to 65 percent over the past decade.
“Over
the past 20 years, school enrolment has increased ten-fold, reaching almost 10
million children today. Four million of those children are girls”, she said,
calling them “significant improvements.”
Most
recently however, girls over the age of 12 have been prohibited from attending
school — with the genders separated at the university level and female students
prohibited from being taught by male professors, who make up the majority of
instructors.
Amidst
her deep concern that many girls may not be allowed back to school, the UNICEF
chief called it “critically important” that Afghan children have “an equal
chance to learn and develop the skills they need to thrive”.
“Girls
cannot, and must not, be left behind. It is critical that...[they] are able to
resume their education without any further delays”, she spelled out.
Pay
teachers, support learning
For
this to happen, Fore stressed the need for female educators to resume teaching
and be “actively” protected.
She
noted that the international community must also increase investment in
education.
“At
a bare minimum, every child needs foundational literacy and numeracy skills,”
she said, adding that “girls and boys need qualified female and male teachers,
who regularly receive their salaries and are supported to teach”.
Never
‘more urgent time’
Despite
improvements, the plight of Afghanistan’s children was clear even before the
Taliban took control of the country.
Fore
highlighted that of the 4.2 million children not enrolled in school, 2.6
million are girls. And for those who are, COVID-19 has thwarted ten months of
education and threatens the most vulnerable from ever returning to the
classroom.
According
to UNICEF, “access to quality education” is not only a right for every child,
it is also an investment to expand opportunities for each child, their
families, and their communities.
“There
has never been a more urgent time to stand with the children of Afghanistan —
boys but especially girls — and with the people who inspire and guide them,”
concluded Fore, urging everyone to “protect and support these children”. — UN
News
Source:
Saudi Gazette
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Women's
Inheritance Can Only Be Claimed In Their Lifetime, Rules Pakistan SC
Haseeb
Bhatti
September
23, 2021
The
Supreme Court (SC) ruled on Thursday that a woman's inheritance could only be
claimed in her lifetime and her children could not lay a claim after her death.
The
apex court issued the ruling in a case wherein the children of two deceased
women, who were residents of Peshawar, claimed a share in their maternal
grandfather, Isa Khan's property.
Isa
Khan had transferred his property to his son, Abdul Rehman, in 1935, without
giving a share to either of his two daughters. Neither of his daughters had
challenged the move in their lifetime to claim their right on their father's
property.
Their
children, however, had filed a case in 2004 to claim their share in Khan's
property.
While
a civil court had ruled in their favour at the time, the high court had later
nullified the judgement.
At
the hearing in Islamabad on Thursday, the SC upheld the high court's decision,
with Justice Umar Ata Bandial observing that the law provided protection to
women's inheritance rights.
Women's
inheritance rights bill
In
June, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice approved The
Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Bill 2019 (section 7).
The
bill is aimed at helping women get their due right of property ownership.
The
statement of object and reason of the bill said the Constitution gives due
respect to women in society and guarantees their right of ownership.
“However,
the rights of ownership of women in inheritance are violated usually by their
family members by means of coercion, fraud, fabrication, forgery and cheating,
etc.,” read the proposed bill.
It
added: “It is therefore necessary to provide an effective and speedy redressal
mechanism to protect and secure the rights of ownership of women in property.”
The
proposed bill said women could file a complaint with the ombudsperson if court
of law does not proceed for speedy redressal of their complaints.
After
completing legal formalities when the ombudsperson announces the decision, the
deputy commissioner concerned will submit the compliance report within seven
days.
Source:
Dawn
https://www.dawn.com/news/1647973
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Jewish,
Arab women march in Jerusalem for Palestine-Israel peace deal
Sep
23, 2021
Jewish
and Arab women rallied in Jerusalem on Wednesday to mark the International Day
of Peace and call for a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.
"We
marched in Jerusalem, demanding the advancement of an agreement," Women
Wage Peace, an Israeli peace group composed of Jewish and Arab women that
organized the event, said in a statement.
The
women created a human chain around the walls of East Jerusalem's Old City near
the Jaffa Gate and chanted songs for peace.
Women
Wage Peace was formed by Jewish and Arab women in 2014 aimed for peace between
Israel and Palestine and for women's involvement in the negotiations.
The
last round of peace talks between the two sides failed in 2014.
Source:
Global Times
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1234895.shtml
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Princess
Nourah: The Woman Who Had ‘The Brain of 40 Men’
September
22, 2021
RIYADH:
The tale of the heroism of the small band of brothers who fought alongside
Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman, the founder of Saudi Arabia, in his epic battle to
recapture Riyadh in 1902 is a key part of the story of the creation of the
Kingdom.
But
what should also not be forgotten on National Day is the role played in those
turbulent times by the future king’s older sister, Princess Nourah bint
Abdulrahman Al-Saud.
One
year his senior, Princess Nourah was Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman’s playmate
throughout his childhood and was by his side throughout the family’s exile in
Riyadh after the defeat of their father’s forces by the rival Rashidi dynasty
at the battle of Al-Mulaida in 1891.
When
destiny beckoned, wrote the Saudi historian Dr. Dalal Mukhlid Al-Harbi in her
2008 book “Prominent Women from Central Arabia,” Nourah was “a great
inspiration behind Abdulaziz’s quest to regain his forefathers’ seat of
authority in Riyadh.”
The
Princess “nourished his will to recapture Riyadh after his first failed attempt.
When he completed his preparations for his second attempt to regain the city,
his mother cried long and hard and tried to dissuade him, but Nourah encouraged
him to complete the mission, which he did successfully. This was part of her
supportive role for her brother while the family was in Kuwait.”
That
role became still more important to her brother after the recapture of Riyadh
and the return of the Al-Saud family to their heartland, as Abdulaziz set out
on the long and difficult road that would eventually lead to the unification of
the Hijaz and Nejd and the foundation in 1932 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Born
in Riyadh in 1875, Princess Nourah was close to her brother growing up and
shared his trials during the family’s exile.
Their
bond only grew stronger as the future King took on the burdens of statehood,
wrote Al-Harbi, going on to highlight “the close relationship Nourah had with
her brother, a relationship in which the natural bonds of family were mixed
with friendship and all that entails: consultation, asking for opinions and
giving advice.”
Such
was the depth of the lifelong connection between the two that, as King,
“Abdulaziz would visit her every day, keen that a day should not pass without
seeing her.”
When
the telephone was introduced to Riyadh in the 1930s, the first line to be laid
ran between the palaces of the King and his sister.
The
Princess was a confidante upon whom the King could always depend for a straight
answer and sound advice. She was “frank with King Abdulaziz, telling him what
was on her mind without fear or hesitation,” Al-Harbi wrote.
In
his biography of his father — King Abdulaziz’s half-brother, Prince Mohammed
ibn Abdulrahman Al-Saud — the late Prince Bandar Ibn Mohammed Ibn Abdulrahman
Al-Saud wrote that Princess Nourah was “one of the few women of her time who
mastered reading and writing.”
As
a result, she was “a woman of the deepest understanding, proper judgment.”
Possessing the “best of character,” she was “adored by all members of Al-Saud
family” and “also very close to people’s hearts and minds.”
Prince
Bandar, who passed away in January 2020 at the age of 95, added that Nourah
became a popular girl’s name among parents throughout the Kingdom, who “named
their daughter after her in recognition of her noble character, right judgment,
good faith, generosity, proper tongue, and humbleness.”
Aside
from all of these characteristics, he added, Princess Nourah “had an amazing
ability for solving the problems of those around her, Al-Saud and others alike
... using her clear and enlightened
judgment (and) was also able to connect with others, Saudis and non-Saudis.”
Abdulateef
Al-Mulhim, writing as a columnist in Arab News in 2012, said the princess was
“the most popular, charismatic and influential woman, not only in the Kingdom,
but also in the Gulf area. Some of her advice had a very big impact on the
history of the area.”
Western
scholars considered her “the first lady in a country ruled by kings,” Al-Mulhim
said, while many older Saudis referred to her as “the woman who has the brain
of 40 men.”
Without
doubt, he added, in addition to being a “very charming lady and a woman of
wisdom,” she was also “a top-class political and strategic thinker.”
In
her book, Al-Harbi recalled the impact the Princess had on foreign visitors to
Saudi Arabia during the early years of the Kingdom.
Violet
Dickson, the wife of Lt. Col. Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, who until 1936
was Britain’s political agent in Kuwait, met Nourah in 1937. She later
described her as not only “one of the most attractive and joyful women I have
ever met ... one of the most beautiful, great and famous girls of all times,”
but also “one of the most important personalities in the Arabian Peninsula.”
For
Harry St. John Philby, a British colonial officer who converted to Islam in
1930 after becoming an advisor to King Abdulaziz, Nourah was nothing less than
“the First Lady of her country.”
The
Princess, wrote Al-Harbi, “played an influential role in many aspects of
political and social life,” and perhaps never more so than in the critical
healing of a breach in the Al-Saud family.
Her
marriage in the early 1900s to Saud ibn Abdulaziz ibn Saud ibn Faisal ibn
Turki, from a branch of the family that had fallen out with her brother, was
the “outward symbol of the process of reconciliation between Abdulaziz and his
cousins.” Although the dispute continued for some time, “by 1912 the matter was
settled and Saud became one of Abdulaziz’s staunchest supporters.”
Al-Harbi
adds: “I would suggest that some credit for this change of heart must be given
to Nourah, for Saud loved her dearly. This action shows her wisdom, soundness
of mind and eagerness to heal the rift between him and her brother.”
Right
up to her death in July 1950 at the age of 75, Princess Nourah remained a
source of advice and inspiration for her brother, who died three years later.
Many sources recall that, whenever faced with challenging situations that
demanded boldness, wisdom, and quick thinking, King Abdulaziz would reach a
decision with the declaration “I am the brother of Nourah!”
Today,
Princess Nourah’s name and spirit lives on in a fitting tribute to this
pioneering woman.
In
2006, the first university for women was established in Riyadh, bringing under
one roof half a dozen colleges, the first of which had been established by the
General Presidency for Girls’ Education in 1970. On October 29, 2008, while
laying a foundation stone at the campus, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud
renamed what has become the world’s largest all-female educational institution
the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University — known today as simply PNU.
“Women
carry a responsibility that is more than a duty, to maintain the stability of
society and contribute to building the economy of the nation, and to represent
the community and the nation to the highest standards, outside and inside the
country,” the King said at the ceremony.
In
a speech that might have been addressed directly to Nourah, his father’s
beloved sister and confidante, he added: “To be the caring mother, exemplary
citizen and productive employee. Outside the nation, to be the ambassador of
her country and community, and to represent well her religion, faith and our
values.”
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1932851/saudi-arabia
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Yemeni
woman turns home into school
September
22, 2021
AL-TUHAYTA,
Yemen: Yemeni teacher Amina Mahdi gives a science lesson to children sprawled
across the ground at her home in a remote village in the southern province of
Hodeidah.
For
these boys and girls, learning at Mahdi’s sun-scorched compound is their only
opportunity for an education in the small rural area of Muhib in the Al-Tuhayta
district.
She
had already been teaching children to read and write before the outbreak of the
impoverished country’s devastating war in 2014.
“What
pushed me toward teaching was the high rate of ignorance in the village and
that children were deprived of an education,” Mahdi told AFP.
With
dozens of children to tend to, Mahdi has divided them into three groups based
on age, teaching each class for two hours a day.
Other
than learning how to read and write, the children also get lessons in maths and
science.
But
Mahdi said her house, with hundreds of books piled on a single shelf, is not
really equipped for teaching. “There is lots of damage from the sun and heat,”
she said, wearing an all-black niqab.
Yemen’s
war pits the government against the Iran-allied Houthi rebels.
Tens
of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions
displaced in what the UN calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than
2,500 schools in the country are unfit for use, with some destroyed and others
turned into refugee camps or military facilities.
UNICEF
has estimated that 2 million children were without school even before the
coronavirus pandemic, a further systemic shock which it warns has likely
propelled the number even higher.
“We
wouldn’t have been able to read, write or learn if it weren’t for Miss Amina,”
one of the pupils, Ibrahim Mohib, told AFP.
His
father, Mohammed, said he had no regrets sending his three children to learn at
Mahdi’s home.
“They
were taught there from the first until the fourth grades, and thank God for
(Mahdi) striving to teach them,” he said.
Mahdi
said she hopes to get some form of help to teach the children.
“I
ask all those who are charitable to bring joy to these children ... and offer
aid to establish a real school,” she said. “My small home is not good enough,
and it has become a public place where I am no longer comfortable.”
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1933906/middle-east
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Chandigarh:
Cycle Rally In Support Of Afghan Women Rights
Sep
22, 2021
Celebrating
International Day of Peace, Yuvsatta –an NGO – in collaboration with the Afghan
Students Unity Group in Chandigarh, St John’s High School and St Joseph’s Senior
Secondary School, organised a bicycle rally in support of ‘Girls & Women
Rights in Afghanistan’. Hundred students participated in the rally.
Students
take out a bicycle rally in support of ‘Girls & Women Rights in
Afghanistan’, in Chandigarh on Tuesday. Manoj Mahajan
Kajal,
the Girls India Ambassador and Class VII student of Government Model Senior
Secondary School, Dhanas, flagged off the really from the Parade Ground, Sector
17.
The
rally passed through Sectors 22, 21, 20, 19, 18 and 17 before culminating at
Gandhi Bhawan in Sector 16.
The
rally was followed by an interactive session on ‘Following the footsteps of
Mahatma Gandhi & Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’.
Source:
Tribune India
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Women’s
handball’s success can motivate Iranian girls: coach
September
22, 2021
Iranian
women made history in the 2021 Asian Women's Handball Championship by advancing
to the semifinals of the 2021 Asian Women's Handball Championship underway in
Jordan.
“The
players did excellent during the competition. We started the games with a loss
against Japan. However, we played well in that match and could control the
game, especially in the second half. Our players did their job without any
stress and even deserved to win the game. Such a performance gave us all hope
and optimism for the next games,” said Shafeyan in her interview with Tehran
Times.
Iran
were defeated 23-20 against Japan but won all their next four matches against
Kuwait (38-11), Palestine (52-9), hosts Jordan (28-22), and Syria (38-19)
respectively to seal their ticket to the 2021 World Women's Handball
Championship.
“We
did not know much about the Kuwait team because they were in training camp for
two months. Fortunately, we could handle the game against them with proper pace
and movement in the game. Against Palestine and Syria, we already expected to
win the games and did our job in the best way possible,” she said.
“The
most crucial game for Iran was against the host country, Jordan. Two hours
before the game, we were informed that I and two other members of technical
staff had contracted Covid19. It was a big shock for us, but our players did
their best during the game with their commitment and hardworking and earned
victory against the strong opponent. With that win, we were relieved about
qualifying for the world championship,” Shafeian added.
Iran
will meet the Korea Republic in the semifinals on Thursday.
“Korea
are a high-level team with the experience of playing in the Olympic Games. We
want to keep our players safe and without injury in this game and focus on the
third-place play-off match. As a coach, I should be logical. Korea are strong
and hard to beat for us,” she added.
To
book a place at the 2021 World Women's Handball Championship in Spain can
motivate the Iranian girls to follow the sport, she said.
“I
am delighted that we could make Iranian people happy. I hope that this success
will motivate all Iranian girls and also inspire Iran's junior and youth teams
as they are also on their way to the world championships qualifiers,” Shafeian
concluded.
Source:
Tehran Times
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/465367/Women-s-handball-s-success-can-motivate-Iranian-girls-coach
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Woman
Complains Of Forced Conversion Bid, Converted To Islam
Husband
Booked In Himachal Pradesh
Sep
22, 2021
MANALI:
Kullu police have booked a man, who converted to Islam after marriage, for
trying to force his wife to convert. He has been booked under the Himachal
Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019, on the complaint of his wife, who is
from Shamshi area in Kullu district.
According
to police, the woman had married Punjab resident Jaswant Rai, as per Hindu
rituals in 2008, when he was working as a manager with NHPC.
Jaswant
was transferred to Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir and the family shifted there
in 2012-13.
The
couple had a girl child in 2015. She said Jaswant started following Islam and
threatened to kill her and their daughter if they continued to follow Hinduism.
He started harassing her to observe Islamic rituals and even dress as a Muslim,
she said.
“In
2017, Jaswant again got transferred to Parvati project and the family started
living in Kullu. He continued harassing me to accept Islam. He threatened to
stop giving me money for household expenses. My husband officially changed his
name from Jaswant to Muhammad Junaid in July. As I don’t want to change my
religion, I have no choice but to register a police complaint,” she stated in
her complaint.
Kullu
SP Gurdev Chand Sharma said police have booked Muhammad Junaid under sections
of The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019, and the IPC.
“The
case will be sent to the court for domestic violence as well. No person can
convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person
from one religion to another by use of misrepresentation, force, undue
influence, coercion, inducement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage,” he
said.
Source:
Times of India
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Afghan
women MPs arrive in Greece on way to US
September
22, 2021
ATHENS:
Greece on Wednesday said it was temporarily hosting six Afghan women MPs and
their families who fled Afghanistan ahead of eventual resettlement in the United
States.
Greece
was hosting a “symbolic” number of Afghans who are “defenders of fundamental
values, freedom of expression and gender equality,” the foreign ministry said.
“Six
Afghan MPs arrived in Athens via Tbilisi (Georgia) a few hours ago, accompanied
by family members,” it said, revising an earlier statement referring to seven
MPs.
“(They)
will be hosted in Greece for a short time until resettlement procedures to the
United States are completed,” it said.
The
women, whose identities were not revealed, left Afghanistan with assistance
from the New York-based NGO Zaka Khan, the ministry said.
Greece
took part in US-led evacuation efforts in August to remove a small number of
people from Afghanistan following the Taliban return to power after two decades.
A
ministry source said Greece has so far taken in around 65 Afghan evacuees, and
evacuated three Greek nationals.
Greece
is currently home to 40,000 long-term Afghan refugees and asylum seekers,
making it the largest migrant population in the country, according to the UN
High Commissioner for Refugees.
Source:
Arab News
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1933676/world
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URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/repression-women-afghanistan-brutal/d/125423