Funkydesi,
What atrocities are you talking about exactly?
You say you do not rely on western media, but your 'cry of atrocity', is synonymous with the message western media conveys.
Since when are the Afghani women being subject to atrocities under the rule of the Taliban? The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is fully committed to the social, cultural and economic development of women. The government has been able to protect the honor, life and property of Afghani women....contrary to conditons under the Rabbani regime, women can now be outside their houses safely without the fear of being kidnaped, raped or looted. According to organizations such as amnesty international, women in Afghanistan bore the brunt of the atrocities by the Rabbani regime and other armed factions,92-95. Irresponsible commanders and gunmen not only violated the honor of women by raping them but mutilated women's bodies and in many cases, cut their breasts etc. Similarly, common was murder, torture and execution of our people by the armed factions. Due to the intolerable atrocities, the Taliban movement emerged to deliver the defenseless Afghan people from the cruel hands of the warlords.
No doubt u have heard of all the rumours circulating about how life for women under the taliban is oppressive, injust,...etc,etc. Well here are the facts, the former regime that did not serve the country had employed women in a number of sectors without any real need. Some of them were used just for the sexual entertainment of the bureaucracy. Due to the ineffective and immoral institutions, they have temporarily been relieved of their duties.Note:**The government pays them their salaries regularly. **Keep in mind, the current government of afghanistan is the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, based on Islam and therefore in contrast with governments of the west will not permit the dishonour of women. But women whose work is really needed, are still working in the health, education and security sectors.
Then there are the rumours circulating about the education of females. In accordance with Islam, the I.E. of Afghanistan considers education equally obligatory for both men and women, that is a fact. However, as u obviously know, currently the country is in shambles, the economic structure has been destroyed, and of course the education facilities have been turned to rubble like much else in the country. I mean seriously how can people be sent to school if there is no school to go to? The present war situation imposed and fueled by foreign powers diverts from Afghanistan's already meager national resources that would be better allocated to opening more schools. Secondly, the Afghans do not trust the communist-style curriculum....so the gov't does not only need to compile a new curriculum that will answer the needs of their society, they also have to restore the trust of the common people in government-run education. Thirdly, the war has created a huge brain drain in all sectors including education...which obviously poses additional hurdles in the restoration of educational, economic, political and social institutions. As conditions in the country improve, so will, doubtlessly, job and education opportunities for women.
Hmmm and as a side note I don't think having Afghani friends adds anything to anyone's argument, what difference does it make really if people cannot support their arguments with solid facts or examples? Futile discussion indeed, if you consider rawa.org to be a reasonable, reliable, and not to mention balanced source.
