Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)

[Loreley]

I feel bad that September 11 had to happened for the world to remember and acknowledge the experience of women of Afghanistan. At the same time, I feel that the U.S. is using the cliche of "let's help the women of Afghanistan" to serve its own political and socioeconomic interests, and it is not really about the women. People are using their "own cultural lenses" to analyze these women's culture,lifestyle, and beliefs without much knowledge and understanding about these women's beliefs. My heart goes to them for the oppression in which they have been living. I have heard once a woman from Afghanistan saying that women in America are oppressed too because women in America have to show their bodies to be liked and seen. She asked:" isn't that oppression too?" I had never thought about it from that perspective.

[Stormig]

After Afghanistan should come the women of Saudi Arabia. Oops - no, they can't. Saudi Arabia is "nice."

 

I've read from that perspective and thought a great deal on it. I believe it all starts and ends in one's head. A person cherishing their individuality will do things mostly for themselves, first.

I dress normally, ranging anywhere within a "reasonable" spectrum. However, unlike most "oh-I-wanna-stay-virgin-until-marriage prudes," I don't dress "sl*tty" - spending a whole salary on the clothes, hair-do, make-up, and shoes - and go to night-clubs or discos without knowing why I am there, just because some people happen to go, all the preoccupation with looks bothering my head crazy. My life is mellow because this is the real me.

In short, I know where that Afghan lady you mentioned is coming from, but I can't sympathize. It is plain old Islamic fundamentalist BS. IMO, either way is copping out from one's individuality and REAL [women's] independence. There is NO way a woman with brains (and life) will go un-noticed.

 

Back to the original issue. The "liberation of women" in Afghanistan is merely a side-effect, albeit a good one, of the operations. Just the "liberation of Afghanistan" itself was not a primary issue; they were all muttering stuff through clenched teeth when saying that.

 

Do let us not forget that Saudi Arabia, too, oppresses 51% of its population. When is its turn going to be?

[Loreley]

“I’ll never return”

by meena, founder of RAWA (Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan)

 

I’m the woman who has awoken

I’ve risen and become a tempest through the ashes of my burnt children

I’ve arisen from the rivulets of my brother’s blood

My nation’s wrath has empowered me

My ruined and burnt villages fill me with hatred against the enemy

I’m the woman who has awoken,

I’ve found my path and will never return.

I’ve opened closed doors of ignorance

I’ve said farewell to all golden bracelets

Oh compatriot, I’m not what I was

I’m the woman who has awoken

I’ve found my path and will never return.

I’ve seen barefoot, wandering and homeless children

I’ve seen henna-handed brides with mourning clothes

I’ve seen giant walls of the prisons swallow freedom in their ravenous stomach

I’ve reborn amidst epics of resistance and courage

I’ve learned the song of freedom in the last

breaths, in the waves of blood and in victor

Oh compatriot, Oh brother, no longer regard me as weak and incapable

With all my strength I’m with you on the path of my land’s liberation.

My voice has mingled with thousands of arisen women.

My fists are clenched with the fists of thousands of compatriots

Along with you I’ve stepped up to the path of my nation,

To break all these suffering all

These fetters of slavery,

Oh compatriot, Oh brother, I’m not what I was

I’m the woman who has awoken

I’ve found my path and will never return.

[Caucasian]

Unfortunately, people the Islamic countries don't know the worth of the women.

 

Women hold up half the sky - Chinese saying