Came across two pictures that tell quite a story. Women are usually the most vulnerable members of society and tend to be victims without a voice !
These are two Afghan girls whose lives were affected by War and Strife in Afghanistan …
The one from the National Geographic magazine depicts Sharbat Gula, her fiercely green eyes staring out from the cover. The piercing gaze is mesmerizing and her eyes appear haunted . With her powerful eyes alone, Gula captured the world’s attention and highlighted the plight of the Afghans under the Soviet invasion.
The recent cover from *Time *magazine depicts Aisha, an eighteen year old girl who ran away from her in-laws, but was captured and sentenced to having her nose and ears cut off by the Taliban. In contrast to Gula, her facial expression is soft and her eyes are set in and calm. But it is the gaping hole, where her nose should be, which makes this photograph so unsettling and controversial.
Two questions come to mind looking at these magazine covers !
Firstly why only Afghan women ?
Violence against woman manifests its ugly head in all societies, not just Afghanistan. What about DR Congo? How many women there are brutally gang raped and killed? What about India? Little girls in rural areas are also sold away as slaves and treated terribly by their in-laws. Even the Western world has its share of domestic violence. Should we deploy military forces in all these countries, since women all over are treated badly?
Secondly :
Is the Media using these women to portray the faces of War or as mascots to perpetuate their own ideologies. Or worse , to sell more magazine copies.
The 1st picture is circulating net since late 90s... and at that time it was about the plight of Tribal girls... now it have changed into Afghan war thing...
Is the Media using these women to portray the faces of War or as mascots to perpetuate their own ideologies. Or worse , to sell more magazine copies.
exactly........ you have to be naive to believe that wars and invasions are done for the sake of human rights etc...........there is always power,wealth,greed and other things which cause wars....
Stuff like this is only part of media campaign.........
The 1st picture is circulating net since late 90s... and at that time it was about the plight of Tribal girls... now it have changed into Afghan war thing...
You're right......in fact the picture was taken in 1984 and published in 1985 in National Geographic and at the time depicted the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan***
have they (the western mainstream media and magazines like Time, National Geographic etc etc) ever captured and published such images of vulnerable and weak people destroyed in wars of Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine??
The title on the cover of Time magazine is very misleading, what the title suggests is "this is what will happen if we leave Afghanistan".
While the truth is: this and a lot more happened because we and other powers interfered in Afghanistan.
Indeed without a question mark, that is a rhetorical question. However this has been going on long before other powers interfered.
have they (the western mainstream media and magazines like Time, National Geographic etc etc) ever captured and published such images of vulnerable and weak people destroyed in wars of Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine??
Most likely.......the media would never fail to print pictures which can sell their papers or magazines....but its the focus of the topic that makes a statement !
The title on the cover of Time magazine is very misleading, what the title suggests is "this is what will happen if we leave Afghanistan".
While the truth is: this and a lot more happened because we and other powers interfered in Afghanistan.
***The Lady with her nose cut off is very cruel and inhuman punishment and should not be tolerated in a Civilized Society!
at the same time an Abortion is also a Life cut short don't youthink! if it is done because of the Parents act of Lust?
the woman with nose ear cut off was used for propaganda purposes 100%. the real story they never show, how US troops kidnapped the poor girl and how her father was helpless in recovering her. the propaganda war they won, even muslims believe that other muslims(taliban) can cut off human parts...! how stupid of us we fall for enemy's trap.
going bk to women domestic violence.. its human problem and not idealogical.
