Breakthrough Legislation On The Horizon For Afghan Women

National identification cards of Afghanistan will potentially bear women’s names alongside their male partners’, in an upward step for women’s rights in a country that pushes a patriarchal agenda. Activists have continually fought for years under the ‘Where is my name?’ campaign in demand of recognition. For decades, Afghan women have remained nameless and been stripped of basic rights. A small triumph may be on the horizon.

The pass of this amendment will establish a basic right for mothers and female guardians throughout Afghanistan.

​“This is a constructive result of our hard work and will empower Afghan women especially those who are guardians of their children,” said Mariam Atahi, an Afghan activist who was involved in this campaign.

“By printing her name, we give the mother power, and the law gives her certain authorities to be a mother who can, without the presence of a man, get documents for her children, enroll her children in school, travel,” explained Laleh Osmany, an avid supporter of the ‘Where Is My Name?’ campaign.

The conservative country has also faced backlash from the more traditional demographic.

“Our culture does not allow our mother’s name to be mentioned. We can not let anyone see our mother’s name. It is not meant for the public but something for only our knowledge,” said Abdul Mobin Safi, objecting to the new proposal. “Besides there is no such law anywhere in the world, everywhere people are recognized by their fathers,” he justified.

The majority-male Afghan government will have made monumental strides for women if ​the draft gets approved and signed off.

Many believe that the submissive role of women is supported by scripture and religion.

Laleh Osmany, one of the earliest supporters of the #WhereIsMyName? argued “Most of the limitations on women in society have no foundation in religion. In Islam, there is nothing that limits women’s identity. But in our society they associate every limitation — even on women’s identity — with religion.”

According to the New York Times, the goal of this campaign is to encourage women to assert their power and to confront the taboo and dishonor that haunts women in Afghan society. It is essential that this bill not only signifies a power play for women but acts as a shift in tone to how women are viewed.

Women bear a lot of responsibility as the main care-takers and keeper of family life and children in Afghan society.

Afghanistan has made substantial progress in re-conforming the perception of women in society since the fall of the ​Taliban’s Islamist government in the 1990’s. Women were stripped of rights such as education and paid employment under this regime. ​The future of women’s rights relies on the future of the government as negotiations are in play of a power sharing deal with the Taliban.

Naheed Farid, a politician who leads the parliamentary commission on women’s affairs drafted this bill and is set to present it to the house on September 21st.

According to Al-Jazeera, many Afghan women remain concerned that this bill is a performative action and will not protect their rights.

In a country historically known for war, women bear the struggle to assert their rights as a legal guardian and in business transactions, even when left as widows.

The passing of this bill will represent a breakthrough for women’s rights and provide momentum needed for peaceful and effective change for women in Afghanistan.

Related

Taliban In Attendance At COP29

Earlier this month, the Afghan Foreign Ministry announced their country’s participation at COP29. Taliban officials were in attendance at the United Nations Climate Conference which

Read More »