Comments on: The women of Bamian.

The women of Bamian.

languagehat — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:22:44 -0800

"Far away from the Taliban insurgency, in this most peaceful corner of Afghanistan, a quiet revolution is gaining pace. Women are driving cars — a rarity in Afghanistan — working in public offices and police stations, and sitting on local councils. There is even a female governor, the first and only one in Afghanistan." Carlotta Gall writes about promising developments in Bamian. (NY Times; print version.)

By: Rafaelloello

Rafaelloello — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:32:58 -0800

I clicked on the print version, but still did not get a copy of the paper, it was just another electronic version. Good article.

By: A189Nut

A189Nut — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:50:11 -0800

The Taleban killed the only female police chief recently

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:51:50 -0800

They also make some frickin' nice rugs there!

By: Phanx

Phanx — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:54:02 -0800

Thanks, languagehat. It seems that women were always more to the fore among the Hazaras of Bamian than elsewhere in Afghanistan - 80% of girls attending school, for example. Ethnically and culturally these people are different from their neighbours, and highly unreceptive to the Taliban (who have been accused of harbouring genocidal intentions towards them) - so I fear these are not necessarily the first signs of a general Afghan movement.

By: mandal

mandal — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:56:47 -0800

Good article. Some extras: Habiba Sarabi at Wikipedia. A Salon piece with her from 2001. The story A189Nut refers to.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:24:46 -0800

I fear these are not necessarily the first signs of a general Afghan movement. I fear you're right, and I certainly wouldn't want the post to be taken as a sign that I think things are looking up in general there, but it was a nice bright spot in a world of increasingly gloomy news, and I thought I'd share it. Thanks for the extra links, mandal!

By: hallowdmachine

hallowdmachine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:56:05 -0800

but it was a nice bright spot in a world of increasingly gloomy news, and I thought I'd share it. And thank you for doing so.

By: Meatbomb

Meatbomb — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:39:08 -0800

All of the Hazaras I met, without exception 1)hate the Taliban and 2)are very progressive (by Afghan standards) regarding women's equality.

By: Camofrog

Camofrog — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:12:06 -0800

In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king ... That said, this article offers much-needed hope. Guiding the rest of the country in this direction will be a very delicate process, and not the sort of thing we've traditionally had patience for.

By: adamvasco

adamvasco — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:35:38 -0800

The Hazara A Historical Examination Of The Probable Origins Of An Improbable People. Many Hazara were persecuted and massacred by the Taliban who later blew up two 1,500-year-old Buddhist statues. Great to know the Women are Gaining Rights in Bamian. Thanks languagehat.

By: jouke

jouke — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:50:21 -0800

You mislead us with your positivity!

By: Abiezer

Abiezer — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:52:08 -0800

I certainly wouldn't want the post to be taken as a sign that I think things are looking up in general there A UK military commander was quoted recently as saying the war is unwinnable; not sure if that was the first public admission that the ultimate outcome will involve an accommodation with at least certain elements of the Taliban but that seems widely accepted now.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:30:56 -0800

Afghans unearth 19-metre Buddha statue, relics

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:57:34 -0800

Destroying those ancient Buddhas was obviously effective in preserving public morality.

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:06:24 -0800

Afghans unearth 19-metre Buddha statue, relics How strange. One of my young asylum seekers told me recently that there was a secret buried buddha: lo! and behold: now the Taliban know too!

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:22:24 -0800

I sent this link to my young clients from Afghanistan, and one [let's call him Ali] replied - "Thanks for your e mail and interesting links. I read about budha a while a go and I am really happy and also scared because the wildish people will destroy this new budha as well if they find an apropriate time for it. To be honest if you unearth any bit of Bamiyan you find an ancient thing in there basically Bamiyan as a whole is an ancient. the news about the women is interesting showing that they are headed towards a better future. Thanks a lot" Sounds like the Hazara are an optimistic lot.

By: homunculus

homunculus — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:58:33 -0800

100 Killed in Afghanistan; Security Deteriorating

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:17:01 -0800

NATO Modifies Airstrike Policy In Afghanistan

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:02:05 -0800

Dare We Stand Up for Muslim women?