The state of women's rights in Afghanistan in the 1970's was a horrible one. The book 1000 Splendid Suns takes place in this time and lapses over about 20-30 years in the midst of the Taliban takeover. The two women who the book focuses on are forced into an arranged marriage to the same man for different reasons when their teenagers. Rasheed is a very traditional man, he thinks women who go outside without a burqa are dishonorable and disgusting. He soon forces both of his wives to wait for him to get home before they go out anywhere so he can accompany them.
When the economic state of Afghanistan plummets and they are forced to send their daughter into an orphanage Rasheed would rather spend his time with his son and refuses to accompany Lila to the orphanage to see her daughter.
The book is a great example of how men can take advantage of women's disadvantages, and control them almost to the point of them being slave like. They can't do anything without the permission of their husbands or fathers. If they disobey, the men can handle it as they please. If domestic violence is commited, the police won't do anything about it because they believe that they women must have done something to deserve it.
How can we let this happen? How can we sit comfortably in our homes, knowing this is going on across the ocean and continue to let it happen?
Lets do something.
www.womenforwomen.org Sponsor a sister.
No comments:
Post a Comment