Afghani women's mission for survival

(Source:www.law.georgetown.edu)

Francesco Musio

The Taliban has been a big part of Afghanistan’s history. They have controlled Afghanistan since early 1995. This extremist muslim group is responsible for the end of many lives, and the dramatic change of others.  They enforced a strict code of behavior on the Afghan people. They would kill, and threaten the men in order to remain the unwanted leaders of Afghanistan. But not only the men have been affected by this fundamentalist group. All women in Afghanistan are forced to follow the code of behavior as well. In The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon. The main character, Kamila has to invent a way to keep her and her five sisters occupied and making money.

Over the years, the Taliban have continued to bring fear over Afghanistan. Their attacks intended for American special forces has also had it’s toll on Afghan civilians. The number of civilian casualties caused by the Taliban, is around 2,700+. Out of these 2,000, 800 have been female. According to the  UN, this is caused by “the explosive remnants of war” and “504 were a result of insurgent attacks” (Motevalli) Although women have a strict policy on going outside, they still face the dangers of war in their everyday life. In The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, Kamila faces decisions where her life would be risked just so that she could get her education. She faced getting hit by Taliban attacks while trying to have a regular education.Because of this hard choice, many women have chosen not to get an education and stay home. This has a dramatic decrease in Afghanistan's move forward.  She also faced being imprisoned by Taliban enforcers while conducting her weekly trips to the bazaar to deliver dresses to the shopkeeper.

As the war on terror rages in Afghanistan between the United States and Afghan extremist groups. The men who fight amongst each other are not the only ones affected. Women in Afghanistan are hurt by guns and explosives everyday, and they are almost never meant for them. Women face the tough reality of losing their husband, brother and even son to weapons of war. Women all over the Middle East and especially Afghanistan. Women are forced to make the life changing decision of whether or not they stay home and risk boredom. Or the ultimate sacrifice of risking their lives just to receive a simple education, or a small job. Many women including Kamila have chosen the decision of getting out of their homes to support their families. In Kamila’s case she chose to leave her house with her mahram. (A male escort a women cannot marry. The Mahram is also the only male figure a women can have any contact with outside their family) Kamila was lucky, she was the only one of her sisters who knew how to sow. She made a one of a kind dress that she would try and sell to a shopkeeper in her neighborhoods market, or bazaar. When Kamila leaves her house she is posing an immediate threat on herself as women are not even allowed to be outside during prayer time. Unfortunately, helping these women is pretty difficult as the real threat and cause of their limitations are the Taliban. One of the ways you can help is by donating. Your donations would be going to funds for schools, orphanages, and some agricultural programs. You can find all the details if you just look online for Afghanwomenmission.org.

Gayle Lemmon is the author of the moving and inspiring book The Dressmaker of Khair Khana. This book struck an immediate interest to me because I have always been curious about. I am curious about it because I find war interesting, and recently, the war between the United States and groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban has had a major impact on the worlds luxurys. Gayle graduated as a journalist from Harvard University. From there she went on a specific journey to the Middle East, where she discovers this remarkable family’s amazing story of bravery and a women who endangered herself to keep them safe. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana provides an amazing perspective on Afghan women’s lives and the sacrifices that occur everyday, but are not credited. Kamila risks her life multiple times trying to keep her family safe, with a roof over their heads and plenty of food for her and her five sisters. This amazing book provides unlimited details from a professional standpoint on how the Taliban affects women in Afghanistan.