The Afghan Parliament claims that a legislation
geared toward empowering women is against Sharia Law. The Elimination of
Violence Against Women law (EVAW), according to Aljazeera America, was
"implemented by presidential decree in 2009, [and] bans 22
different harmful practices against women and girls – including
rape, physical violence, child marriage, forced marriage and the denial of
rights to education or work."
This bill bans child marriage and
forced marriage, two aspects that clash immensely with Sharia Law. In accordance
with Sharia Law, women in Afghanistan are married at very young ages, often
times before they receive their menstrual cycle. Also, women are given to older
men as wives, against their will. These acts are not only accepted, they are
expected and therefore customary.
The EVAW law encourages women
to come forth with their cases of domestic violence. However, the fear of being disowned and consequences hinders the effect of the bill. Women who fight
against Sharia Law by fighting for their own rights are punished. "Women
and girls who run away from home to flee abuse are sometimes considered to have
attempted 'zina', an Arabic term for premarital sex, which violates religious
law." There is obviously no way to win for these women. If they stay and
are beaten, raped and mistreated, they feel dehumanized, shamed and
disrespected. If they flee from these troubles, they are considered
criminals.
For women in Afghanistan, there
is always war and peace. An internal war with the self. The battle against insubordination,
depression, loneliness, and fear. There is an external
war against governmental law, however this is a silent war,
crippled by fear of oppression and torture. Furthermore, there is
peace. The hope that one day Afghan women will be seen as humans,
equal to their male counterparts and capable of superiority and
self-sovereignty.
Sources:
- Algazeera America; December 8,2013; Marsia Taylor http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/12/8/afghan-law-barringviolenceagainstwomenstallsunsays.html
- Raw Story; May 18, 2013;http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/debate-on-bill-to-protect-afghan-women-from-violence-halted-after-complaints-it-is-against-islamic-teaching/?utm_source=feedly
- Care2; May 23,2013; Mindy Townsend; http://www.care2.com/causes/afghan-parliament-its-against-sharia-law-to-outlaw-beating-women.html
