IEDs on highways greet rare shura for Afghan women in Panjwaii
Published Tuesday December 2nd, 2008
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - In what was once a hotbed of Taliban activity, the burka-clad women filed slowly into a local community centre, eager for a rare chance to voice their opinions in a society dominated by men.
They were on hand for a women's shura in the traditionally conservative village of Bazar-e Panjwaii, a place that has borne witness to countless battles over the decades - from fighting off invading Soviets to the more recent clashes between insurgents and Canadian soldiers.
Shuras, also known as tribal or village councils, have long played an important role in Afghan society. Usually comprised of respected male elders, shuras are gatherings where conflicts are resolved, community issues are debated, and steps are taken to meet community needs.
The notion of an all-women shura is counter-intuitive in a country where females are largely subjugated. But numerous women's shuras have taken place in Afghanistan over the years, although none in the birthplace of the Taliban - until now.
"They trickled in at the start," said Maj. Steve Nolan, the OMLT (Operational Mentoring Liason Team) commander, which trains and mentors members of the Afghan National Army.
"These women from Bazar-e Panjwaii and the outlying villages were greeted by female Canadian soldiers," Nolan said. "We still made some headway - the women were very engaged and a lot of the messaging was about women's rights by the team of women ISAF members."
The only male in the room was the Afghan interpreter.
And although the gathering had the blessing of the local district leader and was facilitated by the Canadian Forces, it may have attracted some unwanted attention.
"I'm not sure if it was entirely a coincidence, but there were five IED incidents in the area and they all seemed to be on roads into the district centre - is that a concerted plan by the insurgents?" Nolan wondered.
"Five is an inordinately high number, and the fact it was the day of the women's shura leads me to believe there are forces out there trying to influence the women's shura and hoping to get it cancelled or disvalidated by lack of female participation."
That view wasn't shared by a local police official, who attributed the IEDs to little more than business as usual in perilous Panjwaii.
"They weren't set up for the shura," said Matiullah Achakzai, the provincial police chief. "These routes are used by foreigners - Canadian, U.S. - and Afghan troops. They are the likely targets."
Twenty-five women from the area were on hand to share their opinions and their concerns with the all-female team of coalition soldiers that was in attendance.
"We decided to start at one end of the room and ask each woman individually what her primary concern was," said Master Cpl. Helen Hawes.
"Primarily it was that they were poor. That was what every women said in her statement - 'I am very poor."'
Hawes said many of the women said they want to start working to try and support their families. "That was the most forward step that was brought up."
A school in the village is so far only for boys - schools that include girls invariably attract the attention of insurgents. Hawes said the women are in favour of their daughters going to school, but worry about their safety.
Another meeting is expected in about a month, said Hawes.
Those involved in the shura want to come back with something positive, she added.
"We want to let them know we have been putting some work into it and are not ineffectual. We at least want to come back with at least one positive solution."
The shura was an eye-opening experience for Hawes, who works as a signaller at a forward operating base in the area. For her, it's become personal.
"I'm a bit of a feminist, and so if I think we should be sending those girls to school, my personal opinion is, let's make it happen," she said.
"I hope these girls don't grow up just cooking and cleaning. They want to work. They want to help their families. They want to change - maybe in a quiet way, not announcing it and marching in the street - but they want change."
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