WOMEN to be · 2013. 6. 4. · WOMEN tobe the online magazine fromHerat A collection of the second...

Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

WOMEN to bethe on-line magazine from Herat

A collection of the second year issues

November 2011 - December 2012

WOMEN to be

the online magazine from Herat

A collection of the second year issues

November 2011 - December 2012

Edited by Barbara Donat-Cattin

Foreword by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi

Copyright © 2013 Fondazione Fondiaria Saiwww.fondazionefondiariasai.it

Edited by Barbara Donat-Cattin. Created by Erika Pauselli

Cover photo © Alessandro Belgiojoso

For the photos of this edition our thanks go to: Luigi Baldelli, Alessandro Belgiojoso and Susa Libri.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

n.1 - November 2011Fondiaria Sai Foundation - LetterEmma BONINO - Women are the futureBarbara DONAT-CATTIN - A book for everyone Saghar MOHAMMADI - Overcoming disabilitiesFariha KHORSAND - 2 dollars for 12 hours of work

n.2 - January 2012Barbara DONAT-CATTIN - EditorialFerruccio DE BORTOLI - Hope for free pressFariha KHORSAND - The condition of Afghan womenSakhi ATTAYE - My trip to Italy Shaheen POYA - Different but not unlike: we are women

n.3 - March 2012Barbara DONAT-CATTIN - EditorialGiulio TERZI - Towards Afghanistan’s future Sakhi ATTAYE - Girls badminton teamSaghar MOHAMMADI - Herat movie starsShaheen POYA - Learning journalism in Italy

Photo © Luigi Baldelli

Saghar MOHAMMADI -Shaheen POYA - Learning journalism in Italy

n.4 - June 2012Barbara DONAT-CATTIN - EditorialKhaled HOSSEINI - The Khaled Hosseini Foundation Erika PAUSELLI - The Fondiaria Sai Foundation for AfghanistanKhaled HOSSEINI - Listen to Afghan Women Saghar MOHAMMADI - Parwana’s decision

n. 5 - October 2012Barbara DONAT-CATTIN - EditorialNicoletta BOMBARDIERE - To be a woman in Afghanistan Erika PAUSELLI - Behind the Muslim veilShaheen POYA - Women’s freedom: a long way to goKhaled HOSSEINI - The Khaled Hosseini Foundation

n. 6 - December 2012Ettore MO - The country of denied freedomGianni OLIVA - The Taurinense in Afghanistan Jawad JOYA - Women as Humans and decision makersShaheen POYA - Analysis of a useless occupation Barbara DONAT-CATTIN - Thank you!

Contributors

FOREWORD

This publication gathers the first-hand statements of the courageous Afghan women whose

lives we came to know thanks to “WOMEN to be”. Their stories are accounts of violations

and denials of fundamental rights whose painful consequences Afghan women are often forced

to endure. The violence and suffering that permeate these stories do not diminish however the

strength they acquire from presenting the powerful images of women who embody a true and

positive wave of change. We are shown portraits of women playing a key role in building a

better future for their country and their children.

“Still a long way to go” is the title of a recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission

in Afghanistan on the application of the new legislation introduced by the Afghan government

to curb violence against women. Indeed, it is still going to take a long time for this country to

achieve comprehensive recognition of women’s rights. Afghanistan must not be left alone by

the international community since the path undertaken is the right one, thanks also to a strong

Italian commitment. Recent data confirm that: over the past year, the judiciary authorities in

Herat, where the Italian military and the development cooperation task force are located, have

received the highest number of women complaints; 30% of the members of the national

parliament are now women; and 7 million children are currently attending schools as

compared with the 900,000 of the Taliban period.compared with the 900,000 of the Taliban period.

As responsibility for the country’s security is handed over to the Afghan authorities, the status

of women must be a key indicator of social and civil progress. As acknowledged in the high-

profile statements to which “WOMEN to be” gave voice, Italy aims to promoting human rights

and strengthening the role of women in all sectors of Afghan society. I have raised this subject

in every meeting I had with top-ranking Afghan authorities during my tenure as foreign

minister. During the 2012 Tokyo Conference on civil and economic development in Afghanistan,

Italy requested and obtained the inclusion in the conference final declaration of a call for the

Afghan government’s concrete commitment to the more effective defense of women’s rights

and improvement of their condition, to be assessed on the basis of well-defined parameters.

We intend to continue to uphold the cause of Afghan women, not only because this challenge

to civilization must be met, but also because the full achievement and fulfillment of rights by

Afghan women is vital to granting a peaceful and lasting development to Afghanistan.

Giulio Terzi

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

INTRODUCTION

For the second year we have decided to collect all the articles published on our web magazineWOMEN to be in this edition. Each issue shows how commitment, courage and determinationare the key-words to achieve a significant change.

WOMEN to be has been a way to give voice to those who normally would be unable to speakout, to understand the wariness of a population who feel colonized, to make us aware thatperhaps our progress is not always considered to be positive.We hope to have avoided clichésand to have been able to describe a tough, complex country like Afghanistan.

Reducing women’s issues concerning the burqa means to minimize an extremely delicateproblem. During these past years many words have led me into this surreal world. These youngwomen’s stories allowed me to understand however desperate their existence appears to be,they are never resigned to their fate. The authors of the articles we published are “lucky” -they have decided to use the power of words not only to accuse social injustice but also todefend their culture.

The central theme is the condition of women because as the author Khaled Hosseini wrote “ifAfghanistan is to exist once again as a peaceful and thriving nation, it must make women'srights one of the cornerstones of national reconstruction”. A lot of space has been given towomen and their stories, giving rise to pictures causing both admiration and rage. Rage

Barbara Donat-CattinSecretary General of Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

women and their stories, giving rise to pictures causing both admiration and rage. Ragebecause one feels a sense of powerlessness.

Men and women of different races and walks of life have contributed in the same way towardsthe success of WOMEN to be, all the articles published are characterized by the sameenthusiasm as a result of their extraordinary commitment. My special thanks goes to theItalian Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr. Giulio Terzi who in addition to writing an article for ourmagazine has also written the foreword of this collection. Sakhi Attaye, Nicoletta Bombardiere,Emma Bonino, Ferruccio de Bortoli, Khaled Hosseini, Jawad Joya, Fariha Khorsand, Ettore Mo,Saghar Mohammadi, Gianni Oliva and Shaheen Poya have all given us important fragments ofAfghanistan. The voices of those who live in this country are mixed together with those whoare involved for different reasons.

The work carried out by our Foundation has opened a window on a broken world where thewomen are the main victims.WOMEN to be helped them to see the light and be aware of thenew world they are building with their strength and courage.

November n.1

In this issue:

Fondiaria Sai Foundation - Letter

Emma Bonino - Women are the future

Barbara Donat-Cattin - A book for everyone

Saghar Mohammadi - Overcoming disabilities

Fariha Khorsand - 2 dollars for 12 hours of work

Photo © Alessandro Belgiojoso

We are proud to open the first number of the second year of our magazine with some verygood news and - above all - two special promises which the Fondiaria Sai Foundationmaintained. One year ago we met Suraya Pakzad who told us the sad story about a child-bridewho, thanks to our Foundation, has finally returned home to her family this October.

In February 2010 the President of the Foundation - Giulia Ligresti - met the future journalists ofthis magazine in Herat and a few days ago four of them - Fariha, Nasima, Oranous and Shaheen -arrived in Italy for a month to follow some courses and workshops at Corriere della Sera andAvvenire - two important Italian newspapers. Both of these stories are about social issues eventhough the consequences are completely different.The child-bride is now 12 years old but her childhood ended when she was only nine and herfather sold her to an old man who raped her and reduced her to slavery.This is the fate of many little Afghan girls and not all of them have the fortune to meet a strongdetermined woman like Suraya. A woman who risks her own life in the struggle against such anunjust system.

Fariha, Nasima, Oranous and Shaheen were brought up differently, they are part of theprivileged who were able to study. Daughters of educated families but still not free.Our project “Women Journalists” - in partnership with the Cattolica University of Milan - gavethem the theoretical tools to realise these reports about daily life in Afghanistan. Out of the 15

November 2011 n°1

them the theoretical tools to realise these reports about daily life in Afghanistan. Out of the 15students involved only the four - who had obtained the best results - were selected byprofessor Marco Lombardi and had the possibility to continue their training in Italy.23 year old Fariha is the speaker for a local radio station in Herat, her program is focused onwomen’s rights. “Afghan women need to be helped because of the violence they are victims intheir own homes. Most of them are obliged to stay at home without being able to do any kindof activities. Even those who have had the opportunity to study, if they get married they areforced to abandon their studies or the life they had led beforehand. Laws are very strict forwomen in fact they cannot divorce while men are allowed to marry up to four times”.Fariha considers herself lucky and is determined to tell her country how Italian women are freeand above all able to work. The aim of this magazine is to discover and understand the realAfghanistan. We would like to thank all the people who have contributed both in the past andthe future. A special thanks goes to our brave young journalists who have allowed us to entertheir world through their articles and photos.We are firmly convinced that a real change for Afghanistan will only be possible if the nextgenerations are made more aware. We hope these four young women will return to theirhomes and spread the ideas of freedom and democracy without risking their lives.

Fondiaria Sai Foundation

In 1997 I was a European Commissioner and among my other duties, I was also responsible for

urgent humanitarian aid. In Afghanistan, even though, the Taliban had been in power for only a

year, they had already imposed a regime of unprecedented cruelty.

In a short time, the women were deprived of the most elementary rights and personal freedom

and even denied their own identity. They were prisoners in a cloth cage, known as a burqa,

which even covers their eyes. In that period enormous amounts of aid from the European

Union were being sent to Afghanistan. This was normal under the circumstances - after 10 years

of Soviet invasion and the bloody civil war in the nineties when their country was totally

November 2011 n°1

Women are the futureWithout women no peace and democracy for Afghanistan

by Emma Bonino - Vicepresident of the Italian Senate

devastated. I decided to organize a mission to Kabul after reading the international NGO

reports on the territory which revealed a rather disturbing fact: the disappearance of the local

women from the city streets.Women were not even seen at the local markets. As if this wasn’t

enough, the Taliban even came to the point of demanding that no international

operators currently present in the country be women.

I particularly recall a female executive from the United Nations who agreed to take part in a

public debate by hiding behind a “curtain”, so as not to “disturb” the onlookers.

In fact what clearly emerged from our on-site mission was that the Taliban were materially

doing everything in their power to prevent these women from receiving humanitarian aid.

The decision to suspend all aid was immediate as we were part of the European Union and we

had to follow the rules of the Geneva Convention. This is the reason we could not allow any

discrimination in the distribution of the foreign aid to take place and I believe it was the best

decision considering what happened afterwards.

The Campaign “A flower for the Kabul women” which I launched at the beginning of 1998 took

credit for unveiling the gravity of the situation which was unknown before that time.

Since then, many books, debates, investigations, reports and documentaries have focused on the

conditions of Afghan women.

Even though the Taliban no longer rule the country changes are slow in arriving. The

education system appears to be the only area which has undergone considerable

improvements, in fact the number of young girls who have now the possibility of attending

school has notably increased even though their safety is not yet completely guaranteed.

However, apart from education, no significant changes have been made - especially in the

rural areas where strong conservative traditions still prevail. Of course one’s mentality and

attitude cannot be changed overnight. Social change requires time, even longer after

prolonged periods of conflict. What Afghanistan needs now is - in jargon - an authentic

process of national reconciliation which will allow all the population to metabolise the

various atrocities of the past. These atrocities are still present in their minds and in their

daily lives. They must now overcome their past and concentrate on the reconstruction of

their country. It is clear that women are the key to this process, not only because they

represent a potential resource which so far has not been taken into consideration but also

because they are the part of the population who are more sensitive to the necessity of

putting an end to the violence. Women’s capacity to mediate and find concrete solutions to

the issues they have to face is stronger because they are always the most exposed and

damaged in any war.This is particularly true for Afghanistan.

By giving Afghan women the opportunity to play an active role with a concrete responsibility

- for example a fixed percentage of women in Parliament - would mean a real chance of

success to the peace negotiations.This would be an unprecedented success.

Many of you have contributed to the success of this magazine and it is for this reason we have

decided to save all the articles from the past edition in one volume. A volume available to

everyone at anytime.A “homemade” digital book realised by the Fondiaria Sai Foundation.

“WOMEN to be - the magazine on-line from Herat” confirms the Foundation commitment not

only for women but also for a country going through a complex transition. A distant nation

both geographically and culturally, a completely different world. For better or worse? Only

history can tell.

A book for everyone

by Barbara Donat-Cattin

November 2011 n°1

history can tell.

Most of the articles and photo reports were written and realized by young women. These

women represent the future and - above all - are the novelty of a society where too often there

has been a lack of dialogue.

This volume includes contributions and real evidence which enable us to discover Afghanistan. A

country full of contrasts with a wide gap between men and women.

It is thanks to WOMEN to be that a minority of women have had the possibility to express

themselves. Civil and military authorities, important personalities and well-known journalists

have all agreed to the same aim: to bring out the best in these young Afghan women.

This volume is the living proof of a successful project which has been created day by day with

an important partner like the Cattolica University of Milan.

Blind people have to face many difficulties especially women because, in our society, they are

obliged to stay at home and not allowed to work. As a sign of respect the students refer to

them as “Bright Hearted”. A 20 year old blind girl - Fatima - who believes the blind are just as

useful as other people, is determined to overcome this handicap.

Overcoming disabilitiesThe story of a blind woman

by Saghar Mohammadi

Fatima has two sisters and three brothers and she is the

only blind person in her loving family. She is a member of

November 2011 n°1

only blind person in her loving family. She is a member of

“Herat National Association of the Blind” and she studied

at elementary school in this association where she learned

how to read and write using Braille Machines. This

association has many students like Fatima and they have

special equipment for teaching: Braille Typewriters,

calculators and Braille papers etc… After finishing

elementary school at the association, she decided to go to

a normal school like her brothers and sisters. She is now

in 12th grade of “Amir Ali shir Nawayi High School”.

Sometimes Fatima visits the association because she

cannot forget everything she learnt there.

Fatima has no problems about her lessons at school

because she can study like everyone else. Now she is

preparing for university entrance exam.

particolari strumenti per l’insegnamento

She says she has a little problem about learning maths but she is sure that this problem can

be solved by using the calculators. Her desire to learn and to be part of society encouraged

her to start working in a radio station as an anchorwoman where she has been working since

2009 and now she is responsible for entertainment and news programs. Fatima also writes

articles about women for the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission.

She was awarded several certificates when she attended various seminars and workshops.

She likes learning and does not think her disability can prevent her from studying and being

an exemplary member of society.

Fatima speaks English and she also teaches basic English to the blind. She would like to attend

a workshop in France so she wants to learn French. She doesn’t want to be limited and she

wants to help everyone not only blind people.

Women like Fatima need to be more supported by the government and society. So far she

has only been supported by her parents. Thanks to them she has been able to merge in

society and feel “normal”. In fact she has “normal” wishes like becoming a lawyer.

I hope Fatima and all other blind women - one day - will be successful.I hope Fatima and all other blind women - one day - will be successful.

Hundreds of women in the Herat Province are employed in the textile industry. Those who

work with fleece suffer even more from poor health because their working conditions are

below standard. Besides the problems of low wages and the lack of labour policies, women also

have to face respiratory diseases.

2 dollars for 12 hours of workShame in the textile industry

by Fariha Khorsand

45 year old Fairoza is the only breadwinner in her

family and has to work 12 hours a day in one of

these factories. She told me about the unhealthy

November 2011 n°1

these factories. She told me about the unhealthy

working conditions that caused her and her

colleagues severe respiratory diseases. Their facial

expressions clearly show all their daily pain and

sufferance which is not even awarded with a

decent salary.

Moreover none of them are aware that the end

products of their work will reach the fashion

world of New York, Milan, Paris and London and

will be sold at incredibly expensive prices.

What percentage of this profit will be reinvested

in helping these women who play the key role in

the production process of fleece?

During my visit to Fairoza’s house I saw that her wounded hands and desolated house

represent one of the poorest labour conditions of the world. Fairoza is not the only person

who is struggling with this problem, this is the destiny of all women who work without

protective tools such as masks and gloves to prevent the effect of dust caused by the wool

and fleece.This industry is in the hands of private

investors and therefore the Government has

no control over them and is completely

unaware of their working conditions. Based

on the factory owners’ claim, fleece has no

stable market and the wage level of their

employees is entirely dependent on the

market price. Fleece cleaning has been a

common business in Herat for a long time

and a large number of destitute women are

employed in this business.

They work 12 hours a day (from 5:00 am to

5:00 pm). They must clean at least 3 kg of5:00 pm). They must clean at least 3 kg of

fleece a day for 2.5 $. If the quality of fleece

is not up to the required standard and is

not sold well the workers will receive less

than 2.5 $. More than 1.500 women

employed in this business suffer from

tuberculosis. According to the official GDP

(Gross Domestic Product) report, about

375.000 kg of processed fleece has been

…

ogni

exported to China, Belgium and Germany for the value of 3.5 million $ in the first 4 months

of 2011. It is also used for weaving with threads of gleam and cashmere. The Herat Province

is one of the world’s best known exporters of fleece on the international market.

January n.2

In this issue:

Barbara Donat-Cattin - Editorial

Ferruccio de Bortoli - Hope for free press

Fariha Khorsand - The condition of Afghan women

Sakhi Attaye - My trip to Italy

Shaheen Poya - Different but not unlike: we are women


January 2012 n°2

This issue is dedicated to the Afghan students’ experience here in Italy

(November 2011), the last phase of our project “Women Journalists”. During

this period they had the chance to be involved not only in a journalism training

program but also to attend a very important international conference.

As well as the four female students there were also two men: their Professor Mr. Faisal Karimi

and a new graduate Sakhi Ataye.

Two leading Italian newspapers - Corriere della Sera and Avvenire - hosted these students for

2 weeks and introduced them to the reality of journalism. Working side by side professional

journalists they became part of the editorial staff. Meanwhile they had the opportunity to

write about their experience directly on the web of these newspapers. Every morning these

students attended courses at the Cattolica University as Sakhi has explained in his article “My

trip to Italy”.

On November 19th the Fondiaria Sai Foundation participated at the “Science for Peace”

Conference held by the Veronesi Foundation in Milan. In front of a very important international

audience the four students of our project - Fariha, Nasima, Shaheen and Oranous - had the

opportunity to deliver their speeches about the current situation of Afghan women.

Barbara Donat-CattinSecretary General Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

opportunity to deliver their speeches about the current situation of Afghan women.

This issue includes two of the above mentioned speeches. The other two contributions will be

available in the near future.

Last but not least we are very proud to be able to publish the article by Mr. Ferruccio de

Bortoli - editor in chief of Corriere della Sera. This article encourages us to continue our

commitment towards these young women. Once again we have reached our goal - together

with other partners - in this ambitious project: teaching how to become journalist.

Fariha Khorsand and Nasima Hamdard - 23 and 22 years old - were given an orchid welcome

by the foreign editorial staff of Corriere della Sera whilst Sakhi Ataye - 31 years old - sat at one

of the sport desks with the precise idea of going to the San Siro Stadium to see the A. C. Milan

football team. After a brief welcome speech in our ancient hall - Sala Albertini - the three

students from the Herat University started their three week training period with us. This was

the last part of the joint project sustained by Cattolica University and Fondiaria Sai Foundation.

Initially we had thought of a workshop but these 20 days enriched all of us: they had the

opportunity to improve their skills and we had the chance to reflect and deepen our

January 2012 n°2

Hope for free press Three students from Herat at Corriere della Sera

by Ferruccio de Bortoli

opportunity to improve their skills and we had the chance to reflect and deepen our

knowledge. Their arrival had a special meaning for us. Exactly ten years after the death of one of

the greatest and unforgettable journalists - Maria Grazia Cutuli - the smiles of Fariha and

Nasima gave her loss a sense.

These young journalists wrote their emotions

and feelings on the Corriere’s “La

Ventisettesima Ora” blog exchanging opinions

with our readers. What impressed them most

was: wandering around the shops in Rome and

Milan, the fact that women can work, the

accessibility of public transport and the

number of women employed as shop

assistants.

Sakhi managed to go to the stadium. All of

them left Italy hoping to return one day.

The seed has been sown, freedom of the

press is the base of democracy which for

Afghan people will be difficult to cultivate.

But they are not afraid. Now we have a

connection with Herat and this connection

will never die. We are waiting for them!

“Good morning everybody, I am Fariha Khorsand and I would like to talk about the situation of

Afghan women. In Afghanistan there are different kinds of violence against women. Forced

marriages - especially for young girls - physical violence within the family by the father, the

brothers, the husband and the husband’s family.

The condition of Afghan women Status, issues and challenges for the female population

by Fariha Khorsand

This is the speech which Fariha Khorsand delivered during the “Science for Peace” Conference held by the VeronesiFoundation on November 19th 2011 in Milan.

January 2012 n°2

In my country women are sold and bought like objects or animals. The person who buys a

woman can do what he wants with her. We have a lot of girls who are victims of rape: for

example in Kabul, last year, there was a case of a child who was abused: she was only seven

years old. In the north of Afghanistan there were also some cases of group sexual assault.

Women also submit another kind of violence as a result of the local mentalily: we cannot lead a

normal daily life like here in Italy. We are not free to walk in the street, we are not free to

choose our own work, we are not free!

I am an Afghan girl, and like me there are a lot of girls in Afghanistan who have to face the daily

violence in society. For example, I would like to be a TV journalist but I cannot. Why not?

Because my culture is traditional and I cannot show my face on TV. Of course there are some

women who work in TV and I think they are extremely brave. At the moment, for my safety, I

prefer not to appear. This is a big issue for me and all the other girls who want to become

journalists. Another question about being a woman in Afghanistan is safety. We are not safe,

especially those who battle and try to change the situation for other women. It is normal for

radical groups - likeTaliban - to kill the activist women.

Photo © Roberto Arleo

Today I am a student at the University of Journalism and next year I will be a professional

journalist but I cannot do my work like a man.

For example, I cannot be a reporter because it is too risky for women. I cannot go to report

the news in a village or far from the city, because it is too dangerous. For example when I

worked in a radio I was a producer, I decided not to be a reporter because it was very

unsafe. For this reason I only worked inside the building.

These are just some of the problems women face in Afghanistan but there are lots more.

Unfortunately we do not have enough time to discuss all of them.

I want to be an independent woman but this is impossible because my country does not

accept my ideas. I hope that one day all the Afghan women will be free like other women in

other parts of the world. Thank you very much”.


Milan, 19 November 2011Fariha together with Shirin Ebadi 2003 Nobel Prize Winner for Peace

My name is Sakhi and I am 31 years old. I graduated in Journalism last year at the University of

Herat - where in 2010 I attended a workshop held by the Cattolica University and Fondiaria Sai

Foundation.

In November 2011 - together with 4 female colleagues from my faculty and my ex Professor Mr.

Faisal Karimi - I came to Italy for a month to continue my training and have an insight of

western journalism. I was very lucky to have this opportunity for my future career as a

journalist. I have never been to Italy before. I also learned lots of new things and information

My trip to Italy

by Sakhi Attaye

January 2012 n°2

journalist. I have never been to Italy before. I also learned lots of new things and information

which I had previously never heard about. My first experience was to visit RAI TV then I visited

Corriere della Sera which is one of the most important Italian newspapers. In the meantime I

attended some lessons at the Cattolica University of Milan. I noticed there were many Italian

students during classes and what impressed me most was the size of the University and the

amount of equipment available for the students.

During my stay in Rome I visited some historical monuments such as the Coliseum and went to

Tarquinia where I finally saw the sea. I was amazed because before I had only seen these places

in pictures or on TV. These were wonderful experiences but it was in Milan where I finally

realised my dream: to be a spectator at a football match in the San Siro Stadium.

This was my childhood dream. In fact, when I entered the stadium I couldn’t believe I was

actually there.

I learned some Italian words too, like “Ciao”, “Buon giorno”, “Buona sera”, “Prego” and during

the day I liked to repeat them all to my “colleagues”. It was such a wonderful trip to Italy!

So far, this has definitively been one of the best experiences of my life - one which I will never

forget.

“Good morning everybody. I am so pleased to be here with all of you and to tell you something

about my country, Afghanistan. First, I want to tell you how I feel about being here in Italy. To be

honest, I cannot compare these two beautiful countries because in Afghanistan we are at war

and you are at peace. So, in this short experience of mine, in a few days, it is hard for me to

compare such different situations. I can speak only about what I have seen superficially in these

days without knowing what lies beneath. This is the reason why, at first sight, I see no differences

This is the speech which Shaheen Poya delivered during the the “Science for Peace” Conference held by the VeronesiFoundation on November 19th 2011 in Milan.

January 2012 n°2

Different but not unlike: we are women Italy can set an example for Afghanistan in terms of freedom

by Shaheen Poya

days without knowing what lies beneath. This is the reason why, at first sight, I see no differences

in Italy between men and women. Here the people are equal. This is what I have seen so far.

You can attend the same courses at school. This is impossible for us in Afghanistan.

You can go everywhere in Italy. We cannot. Legally, you can improve your situation and nobody

can stop you. In Afghanistan you cannot do this because you are a woman. In my country most

of the families, especially fathers and brothers, have the right to say: «No, you can’t do this, it’s

not allowed». Here you are free and I can see your freedom for example in spending your own

well earned money. I’ll try to explain this to you. Most of the women in Afghanistan don’t work

outside their homes. If they do work, they have to use their salary just for the needs of their

families without keeping anything for themselves. So, these differences start from birth and they

increase as you get older. When a woman is pregnant everybody hopes she will have a son, not

a daughter. And when a son is born everybody is happy but if they give birth to a daughter it is

not the same. You can understand the difficulties of being a woman in Afghanistan.

This is the reason why I would like to do something for my country through my experience as a

journalist and I really hope that life for women will change. I dream women in Afghanistan will

be able to obtain important and powerful positions one day.

Thank you for your attention, Tashakor*”

*Thank you in Dari


March n.3

In this issue:


Giulio Terzi -Towards Afghanistan’s future

Sakhi Attaye - Girls badminton team

Saghar Mohammadi - Herat movie star

Shaheen Poya - Learning journalism in Italy


March 2012 n°3

A special thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mr. Giulio Terzi - who wrote a noteworthy

article for our magazine. As he has written “Italy will remain in Afghanistan even after our

military contingent has withdrawn. We will remain to preserve the progress achieved and build,

along with the men and women of Afghanistan, a future of peace for their country: a key priority

for international security.” Very important words especially for those, like us, who are

committed to help the next generations to live in a democracy based on the respect of human

rights for both women and men. I must also thank Ms. Saghar Mohammadi a young journalist -

involved in our project Women Journalists - because she showed us a different insight to her

country: that of the star system. Despite the war, even in Afghanistan, there is still room for TV

series, movies and commercials. Two famous actresses, who had the courage to believe in

themselves and transform their dreams into a successful career, told her about this reality.

Another story about women - this time in the world of sport - is mentioned in Sakhi Attaye’s

report about badmington. Shaheen Poya - one of the girls involved in the workshop in Italy last

November - is with us again. She shares with us her personal memories and hopes for the

future. After her experience with the editorial staff of the Italian newspaper Avvenire, Shaheen

seems to have a very clear idea about how to change the Afghan media. This a very varied issue

which explores different realities and helps us to understand how many things we have in

common with a population who is suffering but, at the same time, wants to go on and defeat thecommon with a population who is suffering but, at the same time, wants to go on and defeat the

violence. A new course, a phase where women intend to play a leading role.


University of Herat, August 2011 Women Journalists Project Photo © Laura Lezza/Getty Images

The efforts of the international community have made Afghanistan a better country than it was

10 years ago, when the international mission began. Over the last 8 years, the country has

acquired a democratic constitution and is growing at a rate of nearly 10% per year. Infant

mortality has fallen considerably and today over 7 million children, compared with 900,000 just

a few years ago, attend Afghan schools. At the infrastructure level one indicator of change is the

6700 km of new roads built or repaired during this period.

March 2012 n°3

Towards Afghanistan’s future The Italian commitment for the Afghan people

by Giulio Terzi - Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

The country’s development, along with its security, is a decisive factor for growth and stability.

Without peace there can be no development. But without development, peace remains a fragile

construct. Italy’s commitment on behalf of the Afghan people has touched upon numerous

sectors. The most significant progress has been achieved in the programmes devoted to

improving women’s status. In the firm conviction that any lasting reconciliation process must

necessarily include and focus primarily on women, Italy has promoted concrete initiatives to

foster their active participation in the life of the country. Here are just some of those initiatives.

We have co-funded a United Nations programme, conducted by Afghanistan’s Ministry for

Women’s Affairs, to promote Gender Equality in the country’s provinces. We have supported

training programmes for female magistrates through the Consiglio Superiore della Magistratura.

We have helped build a women’s prison in Herat. And we have funded numerous other training

programmes for women.

We are especially proud of one figure that perhaps represents better than any other the goals

achieved in this sector by our efforts and those of our main partners in the international

community. For each 100 students enrolled in Afghan universities today, 19 are women.

In 2001 the figure was zero. A similar trend can be seen in Afghanistan’s political and

government communities: 27% of the seats in Parliament are now held by women.

We now need to consolidate the results achieved thus far and work alongside the Afghan

people to build a future of peace and reconciliation.

July 2011 saw the beginning of the transition, which envisages the progressive transfer of the

country’s security to the hands of its government. This stage will end in 2014, with the

withdrawal of the international troops. From then on, a new period will open, in which the

international community will be called upon to help Afghanistan consolidate certain key

elements on a definitive basis. These include its institutions, the full protection of human rights,

and the completion and fine-tuning of the reforms, as decided in December 2011 during the

Second International Conference on Afghanistan.

Italy intends to continue with the work undertaken thus far in Afghanistan. The Partnership

Agreement signed on 26 January by Prime Minister Monti and President Karzai will strengthen

cooperation between our countries in sectors where it already exists: from political dialogue

to security; from cooperation to the development of the economic partnership; from

combating drug trafficking to cultural promotion.

With a different role, therefore, Italy will remain in Afghanistan even after our military

contingent has withdrawn. We will remain to preserve the progress achieved and build, along

with the men and women of Afghanistan, a future of peace for their country: a key priority for

international security.

Girls badminton team

by Sakhi Attaye

Finally the girls can play badminton in the indoor

gym in Herat. They were unable to play

professional badminton beforehand. After school,

the girls meet up in this gymnasium to play

professional badminton with their coach.

There are now many badminton tournaments for

March 2012 n°3

There are now many badminton tournaments for

Herat schoolgirls - each team is made up of 12

people - their goal is to be able to compete in

international competitions.

Whilst these girls enjoy playing badminton they

are sorry there is only one indoor gymnasium

where they can play. In Afghanistan girls are only

allowed to practise sport in indoor structures.

In the age of technology media like internet or TV networks play a significant role in

development, business and communication among mankind. Nowadays media are part of our

daily life. But like most other things it is different in Afghanistan.

Cultural traditions influence broadcasters and everybody who is involved in this field

particularly women. Those who want to work or play in the media have to face a lot of

obstacles. Women who want to work in movies or appear on TV face not only society and

family’s ostracism but also physical danger, especially in a provincial city like Herat which is less

HeratHerat movie movie starsstarsThe The heavyheavy price price toto paypay forfor success success

byby Saghar Mohammadi Saghar Mohammadi

March 2012 n°3

Fatima Hosseini and Nasima Mortazavi are two

actresses who fought against the above mentioned

risks and obstacles to follow their ambitions. They

both play in movies, TV dramas and commercials

and there are less than 10 women in Herat like

them. Ms. Fatima Hosseini has been working with

media for more than 10 years. “When I started

family’s ostracism but also physical danger, especially in a provincial city like Herat which is less

open than the capital Kabul. Nevertheless there have been several attacks and threats on female

actresses even in Kabul.

working in TV as an actress, I faced stiff opposition both from my family and society, but I never

gave up, I tried and persevered and now my family and society are also satisfied”. She continues,

“Sometimes families don’t want their daughters to become an actress just because of the

negative judgment from society”. Fatima Hosseini is a famous actress in Herat, now she has no

problems working and appearing in movies or commercials, she achieved all this through hard

work and by never giving up.

Nasima Mortazavi is an 18 year old girl

who has played in several TV dramas,

advertisements and 4 movies. She is

famous because of her role in a short

TV series and some musical

commercials. “Theater is a little

different”.

Now she wants to take another successful step in her

career. Last month the Herat Theater Association re-

opened after 30 years and she joined them. At the

moment they are planning to run plays in the theater.

She says people like to go to theaters and watch

dramas. She hopes to be successful in this field too. She

has already appeared on TV and some movies, but

theater is a new challenge for her.

Nasima Mortazavi filming

Fatima Hosseini during rehearsals

She smiles and says she strongly

believes that Afghan women are

perfectly capable in every aspect of life -

in art, business and politics - but they

must believe in themselves and

strengthen their self-esteem.

In the future she hopes to open and

run a theater in Herat because she

believes Herat Theater Association

could support the girls and women who

Nasima Mortazavi filming

Nasima Mortazavi together with an actor

want to act in theater, dramas and movies. Playing in theater in Herat has no economic

outcome and for this reason only a few people are attracted to working in this field.

I must say that all Afghan women are determined to get what they deserve in the future.

It is very difficult for me to mention all my experiences in Italy after my 30 day visit but I will try

to do my best. I believe it is a great opportunity for students to go abroad - especially for

students in journalism - to learn more in developed countries like Italy.

It was really interesting for me to visit historical sites which until then, I had only seen in books.

At the same time we had the chance to experience all kinds of media: radio, TV and newspapers.

In this way we could see for ourselves the diversity between these different medias and

Learning journalism in Italy Impressions and hopes of a young Afghan journalist

by Shaheen Poya

March 2012 n°3

compare them with those of Afghanistan.

Thanks to this experience I learnt how my own country’s media could develop. Being personally

involved in a typical working day allowed me not only to see how Italian journalists work but

also encouraged me and made me more aware of the importance of the media. This has been a

great mind-opening experience and I hope my country will be able to develop a similar media

system one day.

I would like to thank everyone involved in making this project possible (Women Journalists).


November 2011, Rome Photo © Ada Francesca Rizzoli

November 2011, Rome Photo © Ada Francesca Rizzoli

June n.4

In this issue:


Khaled Hosseini - The Khaled Hosseini Foundation

Erika Pauselli - The Fondiaria Sai Foundation for Afghanistan

Khaled Hosseini - Listen to Afghan Women

Saghar Mohammadi - Parwana’s decision


June 2012 n°4

This issue shows two faces of Afghanistan. This same country is described by

two people: the very well-known Afghan author Khaled Hosseini and an

unknown young woman Saghar Mohammadi. Two separate voices belonging to

distinct generations but both dreaming about a different Afghanistan.

We contacted Mr. Hosseini to submit a written piece for this magazine because of his

commitment for Afghan people.Whilst appreciating our request he had to renounce because his

schedule was filled with his foundation's humanitarian work and his writing projects but he

came up with a solution. He suggested we publish his two articles: “The Khaled Hosseini

Foundation” and “Listen to women in a new Afghanistan”. Even if the second one has already

been diffused on the CNN website we think it is important to share it with our readers who

have not had the chance to read it before.We must also thank Oxfam America since this report

was originally written for them.

We are very pleased because this gave us the chance to get in contact with the Khaled Hosseini

Foundation in particular with Ms. Sandra Hosseini - Executive Director and Ms. Lisa Cendejas -

Executive Assistant.

Saghar Mohammadi let us understand more about her country. Her article in this number is

about a brave 15 year old child: Parwana. This girl is about to marry a 49 year-old man, often the


about a brave 15 year old child: Parwana. This girl is about to marry a 49 year-old man, often the

rule in Afghanistan. She has become famous by doing something exceptional, she lay down her

own conditions to become his wife. This recent local Afghan news caused a lot of stir.

Last but not least there is also an article to explain to our readers our commitment for

Afghanistan. Fondiaria Sai Foundation became involved in 2010 and since then we have come a

long way.We have to thank all the people we met without whom it would have been impossible

to have done such a good job.

The Khaled Hosseini Foundation was inspired by a 2007 trip that I made to Afghanistan as a

Goodwill Envoy for the UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). I met

repatriated refugee families who lived on less than $ 1per day, spent winters in tents or holes

dug underground, and whose villages routinely lost ten to fifteen children to the elements every

winter. As a father myself, I was overwhelmed and heartbroken to witness such suffering. I

decided, when I returned to the U.S., that I would make an effort to advocate for these people

and improve their conditions.

The Khaled Hosseini Foundation Managing the future

by Khaled Hosseini

June 2012 n°4

The refugees I met did not ask for charity. They were a resilient, hard-working, and resourceful

people, eager to rebuild their country and put the dark past behind them. What they asked for

was access to some very basic resources - shelter and education foremost among them, so they

could work to fulfill their own dreams and hopes. My Foundation’s goal is to provide the most

vulnerable groups in Afghanistan (women, children and refugees) with the opportunity to do just

that. I know that providing them with shelter and access to education will give them a sense of

control over their lives and allow them to begin rebuilding their broken country.

Since 2008, The Khaled Hosseini Foundation has collaborated with the UNHCR to fund more

than 350 shelters for 2,000 repatriated refugees. The importance of these small homes is

tremendous. “I was always worried about shelter and faced lots of serious problems during the

past years living under a tent, both in the heat of summer and the cold of the winter", says

Mohammad Nabi, a 35-year-old father". Thanks to UNHCR and The Khaled Hosseini Foundation

we now have a roof over our heads. I now hope to send my children to school so they have a

better life than I did.” Mohammad is from Shoghara district of Balkh province. He fled to

Pakistan with his parents and siblings when he was nine.

Mohammad lived in Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar until his return to Afghanistan with

UNHCR assistance in 2008. Until this year, Mohammad had no land and lived in a tent. In

2011, however, he was able to purchase land under the UNHCR Shelter Assistance Program

and build a two-room shelter for his family funded by The Khaled Hosseini Foundation.

The Foundation has also provided funding that has allowed the education for over a thousand

children in Afghanistan, most of them girls. We have supported women’s literacy programs,

programs to get Afghan children off of the streets and, most recently, early education

programs for young Afghan children to keep them in school and safe from child labor in

the carpet weaving industry.

We have also helped with the purchase of an ultrasound machine that is providing critical

screenings in a Maternity center in Anabah, Afghanistan. It is my hope, our hope, that we

can ease the suffering of as many women and children in Afghanistan as possible. I know that

together with our supporters we will make a difference.

If you are interested in donating or becoming involved with my foundation please visit our

site: www.khaledhosseinifoundation.orgsite: www.khaledhosseinifoundation.org

Photo © John Dolan

Being a woman can be very difficult in certain parts of the world - this issue is often ignored

and is not easy to solve.We are struck by the fact that in the third millennium a large number of

women still have no rights and this was the reason why the Foundation decided to set up the

WOMEN to be projects in Afghanistan. These projects are aimed to improve the economic, social

and cultural progress in the world of women. Not by assistance but through a concrete effort

to supply know-how and more possibilities for a true development.Women Journalists, Fashion in

Kabul and this on-line magazine represent a significant opportunity for the emancipation of

Afghan women. We had the chance to meet some of the women involved in our projects:

The Fondiaria Sai Foundation for Afghanistan

by Erika Pauselli

June 2012 n°4

Afghan women. We had the chance to meet some of the women involved in our projects:

Suraya Pakzad and 4 young journalists from Herat.

Ms. Pakzad - founder of the Voice of Women Organisation

- is a splendid 40 year-old who dedicates her life to

support women and their children. Despite the fact that

times are changing Suraya’s work is still very dangerous.

In 2008 her courage was recognized by a special award -

Women of Courage Award - by the American Department

of State.

In 2009 Time Magazine included her in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

This lady is one of the strong new voices who is working towards a change in her country.

Photo on top © Luigi Baldelli

Suraya Pakzad

Like other young women the 4 girls from

Herat follow the latest fashion. During their

stay in Milan their beautiful eyes were

constantly observing and admiring everything

as if they were trying to tell us something.

Happiness, amazement, tiredness, astonishment

and, sometimes, homesickness - these are only

a few of the feelings we caught when we were

together. The stories they had to tell let us

know more about the real Afghanistan.What is

astonishing is that we discovered we had so

much in common despite our cultural

differences. In the company of these Afghan

women we learnt to understand their sense of

humour and their tastes. We discussed our

ideas about women and work, marriage, raising

children and abortion. From their ideas I could

feel their uneasiness and their hopes for a

significant change for Afghanistan. They were

Women Journalists Project

significant change for Afghanistan. They were

very intense and their words were full of

enthusiasm when they spoke about the

commitment of some Afghan women who

stand up for their rights.

The Afghan women want to study, work

and above all decide about their own

future. Are these not the same ideological

issues the Italian women had to face during

the 70’s?

Our Foundation supports these women

because it is our conviction that they will

be part of the new future for Afghanistan.Fashion in Kabul Project © Marco Valerio Esposito

Milan, 19 November 2011Emma Bonino with the Afghan girls

Thanks to Oxfam America we can publish the following article by the famous author Khaled Hosseini. Even if this

article has already been diffused on the CNN website we think it is important to share it with our readers who

have not had the chance to read it before.

As a writer, one of my most important responsibilities is listening. I try to do so with an open

mind, so I can hear the voices of the characters whose stories I will tell. When I wrote about

Afghan women in my second novel, I thought about the brave women I had met in Kabul and

about their stories. Their voices came to me in hushed whispers. At times they woke me in the

Listen to Afghan women

by Khaled Hosseini

June 2012 n°4

about their stories. Their voices came to me in hushed whispers. At times they woke me in the

night with the urgency of what they had to say. I am indebted to those women, because without

them, my novels would lack authenticity and would also be far less likely to resonate with

readers.

Supporting women's rights in Afghanistan is largely about listening. A recent report from

international aid organization Oxfam summarizes it best: The voices of women in Afghanistan

must be heard if a lasting peace is to be achieved and "the international community is to fulfill

its agenda of setting Afghanistan on its own feet."

In recent years, women have made incredible gains in Afghanistan. The end of Taliban rule has

meant a new Afghanistan, with more opportunities for women. Millions of girls are back in

school. Women are working, particularly in Kabul, as professionals in a wide range of fields.

Afghanistan has a female provincial governor; there are women serving in parliament, the

Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and the Afghanistan Independent

Human Rights Commission. Only the hardest cynic would dismiss these accomplishments as

insignificant.

Yet far too many women in Afghanistan are still denied a place at the table - denied the right

to speak for themselves. Oxfam's report illustrates how war and unrest, illiteracy, poverty and

gender discrimination have made it nearly impossible for the vast majority of women in

Afghanistan to contribute to the global dialogue about the future of their homeland. Without

them, the gains that have been made in recent years for half of Afghanistan's most brilliant

resources remain at risk.

When I was a boy living in Kabul, I had a different experience. A different political

environment meant women were respected - their intelligence and accomplishments greatly

valued. My mother was a teacher and school administrator. She was known on campus for

her confidence and effective leadership. My aunt was a professor at Kabul University. She

inspired young men and women to be creative and poetic, furthering Afghanistan's rich

cultural and artistic legacy. My cousin was a physician. Men and women alike relied on her

skill, strength and kindness.

The women I have met in Afghanistan in recent years are equally talented. Though most have

been denied education, survive without access to even basic health care and often lack even

rudimentary shelter, they are determined, resilient, resourceful and optimistic. They have arudimentary shelter, they are determined, resilient, resourceful and optimistic. They have a

truly indomitable spirit and are the real backbones of families and communities.

If Afghanistan is to exist once again as a peaceful and thriving nation, it must make women's

rights one of the cornerstones of national reconstruction. Any peace negotiations with

insurgent groups must ensure that Afghan women are able to exercise their rights and

participate in every facet of Afghan society without fear of retribution. They must be given

political, social and economic power to help usher in and sustain the country's long-term

redevelopment.

Most importantly, Afghan women must be allowed the opportunity to be heard. As the

International Conference on Afghanistan approaches in Bonn, Germany, world leaders must

insist that women not only participate in the Afghan delegation but that all discussions around

peace and reconciliation include how women will be involved. Afghan women's voices are an

indispensable resource and without them, the story of peace and prosperity cannot be told.

On March 8th in Afghanistan, like in the rest of the world, we celebrate Women’s Day to

underline the importance of women in the new Afghan society and to fight against every kind of

violence. Two days later I was very surprised to read on Facebook about a girl who lives in my

province (Herat). I saw her picture and read what happened to her - I was shocked by her story.

Parwana’s decisionCourage or child unawareness?

by Saghar Mohammadi

This news was about Parwana, a 15 year old student in middle

school who is to marry a militant who was part of a radical

June 2012 n°4

group. He is 49 years old, and he is already married, he has 5

children and Parwana will be his second wife. His name is Basir

Ahmad and he lives in a village in the Herat province. In my

country, particularly in the traditional cities and villages, if a man

wants to marry a girl he cannot ask her directly but he has to ask

for her hand and permission from the men of her family.

For this reason Basir went to Parwana’s house several times to ask her father for permission

to marry her, Parwana and Basir belong to the same ethnic group - Noorzaiee. Finally her

father gave his consent. Normally in the villages, girls have no choice but to accept these kinds

of unconditioned decisions but in this particular case Parwana lay down her own conditions:

she asked Basir to stop fighting so they could lead a normal married life and also to allow her

to continue her studies because it is uncommon for a village girl to continue studying after

getting married. Basir accepted Parwna’s conditions and handed over his arms in front of the

general public. This was very unusual: first of all because normally a man does not want to

show people anything about his private life and also because a woman is unable to lay down

any conditions or voice her own opinion about her wedding. Parwana told journalists: “This

was entirely my own decision”.

In an interview with an Afghan news agency

(Bokhdy), Mrs Latifa Sultani of the Human

Rights Commission said that the commission is

worried about this case because Parwana is

very young and she is under the marrying age.

In Afghanistan the age limit is 16 for girls but

sometimes this is not respected. Mrs Sultani

also said this girl is too young to know what is,

or is not, good for her. She is also worried

because of the difference in their ages and in

the future Parwana could have problems due to

this big age gap. These kinds of incidents are

very common in my country. Unfortunately the

organizations who support Afghan women are

unable to intervene. This news created different

reactions among young people, in particular on

social networks.

In fact a lot of young Afghans expressed their opinions about it on Facebook.

Most of them do not agree with Parwana’s decision. They think she is a victim of war like

many other women in Afghanistan. They also say it is up to the state to stop armed groups

fighting against the government and the people, and that this situation is not her

responsibility! Some young people are concerned that Parwana’s life may be in danger as

they do not trust her future husband. In fact they think he may change his mind and join

criminal groups again.

On the other hand other young Afghans agree with Parwana’s choice. They think she is a

brave girl who is trying to help her country move in the right direction towards bringing

peace. Unfortunately Afghanistan is still a country bound to strict traditions most of which

are against women. I think Parwana is another Afghan girl who has already lost everything

because of this ancient tradition from the Middle Ages. According to the international laws

Parwana is still a child - she is only 15 years old. So Afghan authorities should approve a

law to make marriages illegal between underage children and adults. In this way these

stories will never happen again in the future.We all hope for the best for Afghan women.

October n.5

In this issue:


Nicoletta Bombardiere - To be a woman in Afghanistan

Erika Pauselli - Behind the Muslim veil

Shaheen Poya - Women’s freedom : a long way to go

Khaled Hosseini - The Khaled Hosseini Foundation


“Afghanistan is a land of sharp contrasts”. So begins the article by Nicoletta

Bombardiere (Head of the General Direction for Afghanistan Political Affairs -

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). It is exactly these contrasts which have drawn

our attention in recent years. Afghanistan never ceases to surprise us - a land

…..

October 2012 n°5

which slowly awakens day after day. We are horrified to read about the daily conditions of the

Afghan women but at the same time we are admired by the one who realise all the efforts to

battle for some changes.

Despite living in the Facebook Age, every article in our magazine tells us about a world which

the most people find so hard to understand. The harsh reality of Afghanistan has often been

described in many of our articles but these true stories and tragic facts have always been told

with awareness where desperation distress and above all resignation have never prevailed.

Shahin Poya wrote quite a striking article: her report is a violent snapshot depicting the Calvary

of Afghan women. As a young Afghan woman, she refuses to resign herself to such a fate. She is

determined and has clear ideas: she wants to be a journalist in order to make herself heard. She

knows that she will have to fight for her rights. Khaled Hosseini continues to give us doses of

his own experiences in his family’s Foundation. It has only recently been established, but already


his own experiences in his family’s Foundation. It has only recently been established, but already

possesses an impressive list of achievements. Khaled himself, despite being a successful

international author, is first and foremost an Afghan who cannot stand by and watch his people

suffer.

Finally, we have a colour piece which nonetheless contains a more profound message, inviting

reflections on the meaning of the Islamic veil as the fruit of a culture caught between tradition

and modernity. A veil which covers and protects, but which can also be a fashion statement.

Every issue of this magazine is a separate story and another goal reached. I would like to thank

everyone who has made it possible for us to continue our work.

Afghanistan is a land of sharp contrasts; where sky-blue burqas clash with the dusty ochre

ground and where rocky mountains meet green valleys; the land that has one of the highest rate

of women in parliament all over the world (28%), while at the same time it has been recently

defined by The Guardian one of the worst countries where to be born female. Nevertheless, big

steps forward have been made over the last ten years.

Thanks to the achievements made with the support of the international community, women can

now take part in the political life of the Country, they have access to many jobs and are allowed

to go to school (currently an estimated 38% of all Afghan students are girls). These are

October 2012 n°5

To be a woman in Afghanistan

by Nicoletta Bombardiere Head of the General Direction for Afghanistan

Political Affairs Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

to go to school (currently an estimated 38% of all Afghan students are girls). These are

progresses that let hope for a better future but still too small to change the life of the majority

of Afghan women, women who fight every day a silent battle against discrimination and violent

practices, which are the result of poverty and tradition. Self-immolation often represents their

desperate cry for help.

One of the key-factors which explains women’s conditions is the ambivalence of the legal

framework. On the one hand, article 22 of the Afghan Constitution states that men and women

have equal rights and duties before the law; in a broader sense, the Afghan Constitution

guarantees the respect for fundamental human rights, and recognizes the United Nations

Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On the other hand, article 3 of the

Constitution states the supremacy of Islamic principles on state laws. As a consequence, an

unsolved contradiction between the two sources of law arises. This condition is aggravated by

the fact that, outside the cities, in the countryside, the “formal” justice often gives way to the

“informal” one, which has its roots in tribal traditions and local customs (which are sometimes

more harmful for women’s dignity than the Sharia-based laws). This set of customs and

traditions touches upon directly women’s lives while dealing with issues like family law, law of

succession, marriage and divorce.

In the promotion of women’s rights in the country,

the law on the Elimination of Violence Against

Women (EVAW) has surely represented a big step

forward. The law introduces 22 different crimes

punishable by law including forced marriage, child

marriage, sexual violence and ill treatments. Italy has

actively contributed to the drafting of the law and its

enforcement, by establishing the first Units on

Violence Against Women (VAW) in the Herat and

Kabul Attorneys General’s Offices.

As a consequence out of the 600 judicial cases on

violence against women opened between 2010 and

2011, the vast majority was promoted by the Kabul

and Herat Attorneys General’s Offices. In particular,

the Herat Office, led by a woman, has carried

forward the largest number of trials. However, apart

from Kabul and Herat, this law remains largely

Female prison in Herat

Another initiative that Italy has been involved in is the women’s detention center in Herat,

which was built with the contribution of the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).While

entering the building, one leaves the chaotic confusion of the city and finds a place of peace,

cleanness and women’s solidarity. Beyond serving their sentences, the female detainees can keep

their children with them and they can learn to read, write and receive some basic professional

training. Education and job opportunities: these are the two key conditions that allow women to

be independent by earning their living on their own. This is the main path towards a better

future for women, along with the legal protection of their rights.

There is still a long way to go and Afghan women are asking for support to walk it: they are

asking to be respected and listened to as active protagonists of the country’s reconstruction

and peace process.

from Kabul and Herat, this law remains largely

unapplied.

Female prison in Herat

For the past ten years the muslim veil has been the centre of ideological battles and has also

been misused. For this reason, most European countries consider the veil as a negative symbol

but under the veil there is a hidden power.

Despite this cliché the veil could also be trendy. The veil is a glamorous accessory and many

women and young girls have a collection in different colours, shapes and sizes, some are

decorated, others made of silk. Browsing on the web it is possible to discover web sites and

Behind the Muslim veil

by Erika Pauselli

October 2012 n°5

decorated, others made of silk. Browsing on the web it is possible to discover web sites and

blogs where muslim girls exchange opinions about the colours and sequins of their hijabs

because “Allah does not like extravagance”. On special occasions like weddings and

parties some guests have their veils adorned with flowers and lace or their hands decorated

with henné tattoos.

Italo- Egyptian Nadia, a 22 year old girl, has been

one of the organizers of the Muslim Women’s

Fashion Show which took place a few days after the

famous Milan Fashion Week. The garments on the

catwalk were typical female muslim clothes - the

result was a mix of traditional colours and shapes

from China, India, Pakistan, Algeria and Syria. The

show was a huge success proving that elegance and

class which emphasise femininity can live together

with religious beliefs.

Photo on top 2010©TURISMO.it - Nexta

In 2011 the first Turkish magazine entirely dedicated to

Muslim women Âlâ (beauty) was founded. In just one

year sales have surpassed those of Cosmopolitan, Vogue

and Elle inTurkey.

The veil can be an extraordinary tool to affirm women’s

rights in the world. Rania of Jordan and Adila bint

Abdullah - a Queen and a Princess - are two famous

women who can play an important role by helping to

change the rules in this part of the world.

Despite their status they are women and according to

tradition they have a strong influence on politics and

diplomacy. In different ways they are trying to promote

..

There is still a long way to go especially in certain parts of the world but it is necessary to

a new way of being a muslim woman. Two examples of strength and courage who can be

symbols for all those women who consider themselves unworthy and who are often unable

to defend themselves.

There is still a long way to go especially in certain parts of the world but it is necessary to

continue demonstrating that even behind a veil every woman can be and must be in charge of

her own life and future.


As a woman and an activist involved in human rights I would like to write about the women’s

situation in my country. Women were the first victims in these three decades of war. Self-

immolation, rape, domestic violence, forced marriages, burning schools, stoning to death,

throwing acid, poisoning school students, cutting of ears and nose etc. are the cruelties against

women which are increasing day by day. This situation closely resembles the Taliban period but is

even worse. In most provinces women are deprived of their basic rights. Jungle law is dominating:

men can kill or beat a woman in front of everybody. In the remote provinces the burqa - as in

the dark ages of the Taliban - provides security for women, especially the activists as they can

Women’s freedom: a long way to go Rights achieved by risking lives

by Shaheen Poya

October 2012 n°5

the dark ages of the Taliban - provides security for women, especially the activists as they can

hide their identity.

Women are considered as second class citizens by their enemies and deprived of their basic

rights, such an attitude is the opposite of the western countries where women are considered

the same as men with equal rights. During the 60’s women’s conditions were better but now,

after 10 years occupation by the U.S. and western countries peace forces the situation has

radically transformed. They came here to defeat terrorism but women’s lives remain unchanged.

Despite what the media told the world, women’s conditions have not improved after the end of

the Taliban regime. The New York Times once reported a totally different reality: “Afghanistan

women lift the veil, a new world of freedom, spiritual as well as sartorial has been open to the

women of this muslim nation, after centuries of seclusion”.

There are two main reasons for the atrocities against women. First because of the male

dominated society where they can easily misuse Islam as a tool against women. The second is

because of the non democratic government that is against women and does not have a human

view of women.

They are so ignoble that they misuse the current situation of women. Even now they continue

their political business in this regard. In the Afghanistan Parliament women have more seats than

the women in Europe and the U.S. but unfortunately most of them are only symbolic.

If we take a quick look over the past ten years there have been very few positive changes in the

lives of women and girls. Most positive changes were to deceive the world society. For example

media reported that 6 million students go to school but they do not mention that hundreds of

students do not go to school because of the bad security situation and the burning of

schools.You might have heard that hundreds of students in different provinces got poisoned at

school. Now you judge how the family can dare to send their children to school after that.

According to Rawa News: “Several schoolgirls were poisoned in Takhar, Bamiya and Kabul

provinces of Afghanistan. Afghan schoolgirls lie in beds in a hospital in Kabul on August 28 2010,

as they received treatment for suspected poisoning at their school.

A number of suspects in this regard were recently detained by security forces in Northern

Takhar province, and the main motive behind the attack was to prevent Afghan families from

sending their daughters to schools”.

In these ten years of foreign force bombardments, thousands of innocent people were killed,

most of them women and children. They bombed the wedding parties of our people. My people

have the same hatred towards foreign forces that they have towards the Taliban and the currenthave the same hatred towards foreign forces that they have towards the Taliban and the current

Government, which are the two sides of the same coin. In ten years they were saying that they

fight against Taliban but now they themselves say that we want to compromise with the Taliban

so that they can take part in the governing of the country. It means that if they come into

power women’s situation will become even worse and catastrophic.

I think women’s liberation could only be possible if created by women themselves. First of all we

should all unite, be aware of our rights and specify our real enemies in order to struggle for our

freedom. I believe women’s rights is not just a bouquet of flowers that others give us as a gift.

Luckily nowadays our women are not the same as those of 40 years ago. They lost everything in

the war years and experienced many atrocities and cruelties but they gained political awareness.

The more these fundamental fascists continue their atrocities the more people will rise against

them. I hope that one day women will obtain their rights, birds of peace will fly all around the

country happily and freely and our people will live in a prosperous society without any military

bases. My dream is to see all the enemies of peace and justice in jail.

Where does one begin to help in a land beset with seemingly insurmountable problems? This is

the question we grappled with when The Khaled Hosseini Foundation was new and we faced

the challenge of defining our priorities for giving. Would we address all of our aid to those in

need of shelter? Or to those in need of education? Or to those in need of medical care?

The list of possibilities was endless and the need far exceeds the capacity of our small family

fund.

The Khaled Hosseini Foundation

by Khaled Hosseini

Luckily for us, we made the decision to be broad in our

mission, giving first priority to assisting the United Nations

October 2012 n°5

Photo on top ©TKHF

mission, giving first priority to assisting the United Nations

High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in constructing

shelters for Afghanistan’s huge population of returning

refugees and secondarily to healthcare, education and other

humanitarian aid.

Each year, we receive and review a large number of

requests for funding and we are extraordinarily grateful to

say that a great many wonderful people and agencies are

extending direct aid, hope and compassion to the women,

children and families of Afghanistan. Though none can

alleviate all of the suffering we know to exist there, each is

making a life-changing difference for some.

For example, Afghan Friends Network, a nonprofit founded in the San Francisco Bay Area is

using our grant to help support the Khurusan Learning Center, a school for girls in Ghazni, one

of the poorest regions in Afghanistan. This Center provides supplementary education to

approximately 400 girls in grades 9-12 in math, physics, chemistry and English.

© UNCHR

July 2010 © UNCHR

One of our newest partners in Afghanistan is GoodWeave whose

mission is to end child labor in the handmade rug industry and to

provide educational opportunities to South Asia's more than

quarter million "carpet kids." In 2007, building on its nearly 20

years of experience in India and Nepal, GoodWeave expanded to

Afghanistan where the carpet sector is the country's largest legal

source of employment and a third of elementary school-aged

children work, including many who are sold into bonded labor,

sexual exploitation and early marriage. With our support,

GoodWeave is developing an educational program that will include

a combination of early childhood education, rehabilitation for

former child laborers, vocational education and school

sponsorship for at-risk kids in Balk Province.

The success of this program is already evident. In 2007, only one girl from Ghazni was

accepted into a university. In April 2008, twenty girls who had attended the Khurasan Learning

Center took college entry exams and ten of them were accepted into university programs.

In the area of healthcare, we are supporting EMERGENCY

September 2009 © UNCHR

In the area of healthcare, we are supporting EMERGENCY

USA, the US arm of an international nonprofit that has

built three Surgical Centers in Anabah, Kabul and Lashkar-

Gah, as well as a Maternity Center in Anabah.

EMERGENCY has also established a network of 30 first

aid posts and health centers to allow quick treatment of

patients living in isolated areas and to help transport them

to the hospital if needed. Our support has been specifically

directed to The Maternity Center which offers, free of

charge, obstetric and gynecological care to women of the

Panjshir and neonatal care for the babies who are born at

the Center. We feel very lucky to be able to support the

tireless work of agencies like these and encourage others

to do the same. To see a complete list of those we fund

….and the work they are accomplishing, we hope you will visit our website

www.khlaedhosseinifoundation.org and click on the Our Grantees tab. Though none of us can

alone end poverty, homelessness, hunger or illiteracy in Afghanistan, each of us can make a

difference for at least one woman or child. And that is indeed a wonderful place to begin.

© EMERGENCY USA

© EMERGENCY USA

December n.6

In this issue:

Ettore Mo - The country of denied freedomGianni Oliva -The Taurinense in Afghanistan Jawad Joya - Women as Humans and decision makersShaheen Poya -Analysis of a useless occupation Barbara Donat-Cattin -Thank you!


“In my government - if there should ever be one - I promise there will be room for

women” Ahmad Shah Massud the legendary “lion from Panshir” once told me when I tracked

him down in his remote mountain refuge in Khoaja Bahauddin. It was springtime in the 1980’s.

Unfortunately he did not live long enough to see his dream come true - two Pakistani kamikaze

assassinated him on 9th September 2001 - two days before the attack on the TwinTowers.

La produzione della seta Un affare di famiglia

di Fawzia Ahmad

December 2012 n°6

The country of denied freedomImages and memories of 30 years of Afghanistan

by Ettore Mo

This situation came to mind when I heard the newsThis situation came to mind when I heard the news

about the 14 year old Pakistani student - Malala

Yousafzai- who was seriously wounded in the head

by a fanatic whilst, together with her

contemporaries - she was campaigning for

secondary education rights for girls - at present

only available for boys. The attack was vindicated by

the Pakistani Taleban allies of Al Qaeda, part of the

integralist movement of Osama Bin Laden.

Malala is very popular in the tribal area along the

Afghan-Pakistani border - especially in the Swat

area where the Taliban were in power with their

brutal ways - like beating parents who still insisted

on sending their daughters to school. Stubbornly

Malala never gave up. “We do not wear school

uniform and we hide our books under our shawls”.

For the Taliban this strong-willed girl - who has

won the national Peace Award from the Islamabad

government and received an acknowledgment

from the International Peace Prize - is merely “a

young girl with a western mentality who spends

her time condemning us and who “will end up by

being treated the same way as our enemies”.

But to calm down the enthusiasm many people remember that in 2012 the Pakistani army

attacked the Taliban and as a result the girls returned to school whilst the Islamic integralists

fled to the dark valleys along the Afghan border where observance of the Sharia and the Koran

is part of the daily life.

In her article Nicoletta Bombardiere (from the

Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) recalls that

Afghanistan is a country with “one of the world’s

highest percentage of women in parliament (28%),

while at the same time it has been recently defined

by The Guardian as one of the worst countries to beby The Guardian as one of the worst countries to be

born female”.

I would like to add a few of my personal experiences which at times left me puzzled at others

upset and bitter: like the night after a strenuous journey when we arrived at a farmstead we

received a very warm welcome whilst the women of the house in order to give us their beds

had to spend the night in the stables despite our indignation and protest there was nothing we

could do about it.

Another time a dozen women were left for hours

in the back of an open truck - exposed to all the

elements of Siberian temperatures and the freezing

wind of the Tundra whilst we were in the moderate

comfort of a shack.

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs - Giulio Terzi -

confirms that “the efforts of the international

community have made Afghanistan a better country

than it was 10 years ago” and “it is growing at a rate of

nearly 10% per year” thanks to which “infant mortality

has fallen considerably and today over 7 million

children, compared with 900.000 just a few years ago,

attendAfghan schools”.

An encouraging result considering that 19 out of a 100 university students are girls, whilst only

11 years ago they were exclusively male. More devastating news came from the Khaled

Hosseini Foundation: entire families are still living in tents or holes dug underground, and every

winter ten to fifteen children freeze to death.

Another shocking aspect is the hundreds of female

workers in the Herat textile industry who are paid

only 2 dollars for 12 hours hard work. Emma Bonino -

Vice President of the Italian Senate - knows the Eagle

Country extremely well as she was European

December 2012 n°6

Country extremely well as she was European

Commissioner in 1997. She remembers the Taliban

advent as “a regime of unprecedented cruelty.

In a short time, the women were deprived of the most elementary rights, their personal

freedom and even denied their own identity. They were prisoners in a cloth cage, known as a

burqa”. She came to the conclusion that “women are the future of Afghanistan” and without

them there can be neither peace nor democracy in Afghanistan. Concrete results can only be

achieved with the courage and spirit of Parwana - the 15 year old girl from Herat - who lay

down her own pre-marital conditions in fact she agreed to marry the man who had been

chosen to be her husband only after he had handed over his weapons in public.

Going back to my 30 years in Afghanistan I can still recall Mizwair Jalil’s chubby face and his

figure - a little lazy squat mountaineer - who plodded along pondering the reason why I was

always so anxious. This anxiety which always drove me to do everything in haste as if I had to

face deadlines. Jalil was only 25 years old when he was killed and now I feel guilty because I

have to admit that I was the one who had taken him to meet his death.

It all began on a clear summer evening 18 years ago, when Mizwair and I entered the Ministry of

Defence in Kabul - Ahmad Shah Massud was in charge, a man of few words who had never got

on well with the western press. He was considered a very moderate leader who had

encouraged the reopening of schools for girls. On the contrary the integralist leader Gulbuddin

Hekmatyar - head of the Hezb-i-Islami, the most intolerant party - after he had fought against

the Soviet sympathiser President Taraki, he had also to fight against the 3000 Red Army soldiers

who entered Kabul on Christmas Eve 1979. Out of spite Gulbuddin decided to go to Pakistan in

exile under the protection of the Secret Services. Returning to Afghanistan he took refuge in a

hermitage on the Sharasiab hills 24 kms from the capital. From up there his men fired tons of

missiles, rockets and cannons on Kabul causing more victims than during the Soviet invasion:

about 2500 people died and thousands were wounded. Schools were closed and hundreds of

mutilated children could be seen in the streets.

Massud was puzzled when we asked to meet

Hekmatyar in order to understand his ignoble

behaviour. “You know this man - Hezbi told me - he

is a difficult, moody, suspicious person and at theis a difficult, moody, suspicious person and at the

bottom of his heart there is only hate. It would be

dangerous and counterproductive if I let my men

accompany you. I sincerely hope nothing will happen

to you”.

Mizwair Jalil turned towards Gulbuddin with suspect,

he called him Sahib - Sir - nevertheless this did not

prevent him from criticising and denouncing him on

the Afghan BBC. “Do not trust him” professor

Majruh had warned him one day “the devil is inside

him”. He has committed many crimes but he was

under the protection of the Islamabad Secret

Service which is why he was never incriminated or

brought to trial.

We had separate interviews with the leader “Cheer up!” said Mizwair in the jeep on the way

back to Kabul “We should be proud of ourselves, not more than half a dozen journalists have

had the chance to interview Hekmatyar”.

Our good spirits didn’t last long. All of a sudden at a certain stretch of the road a huge jeep

pushed our car off the road. Five men got out of the jeep, their faces were covered with black

scarves, each was brandishing a Kalashnikov. They pulled Jalil brutally out of the car and at

gunpoint forced him into the jeep. Then they ordered Sharif, our driver, to drive to Kabul

without stopping. In less than half an hour we heard the dreadful truth: the young reporter of

the BBC had been assassinated. His body was found on the roadside at a place called Chelsatun

- the same place where he had been kidnapped. Blood gushed out of the hole in his forehead

and a pair of bayonets had been stabbed into his stomach. I will never forget the look on

Mizwair’s face as he was being dragged away: tears blurred his eyes whilst in his failing voice he

whispered “Goodbye, Hector, this is the end”

His assassin was defined “one of the most brutal crimes in the vast collection of barbaric crimes

during 15 years of war in Afghanistan” and which almost certainly would have “gone

unpunished”. Hekmatyar would have carried on regardless as leader of the Jahad, the holy war,

calling himself “the sword of Allah”. Since his schooldays his over confidence seemed to have no

limits. Some people even remember when he was at university and used to threaten the more

December 2012 n°6

limits. Some people even remember when he was at university and used to threaten the more

uninhibited female students to scrape the lipstick off their “diabolic lips” with sandpaper.

In a recent declaration with the Express Tribune, Hekmatyar, affirms that the only way to solve

the ten year conflict is to “continue with the Jihad” until all the foreign contingents will be

completely removed from Afghan territory. At the same time he rejects the strategies put

forward by the U.S. and Karzai’s government which would only lead to a “perpetual occupation”

of Afghanistan.

It is encouraging to hear about the progress that has

been made in Afghanistan in the socioeconomic field

during the past ten years. There have also been

improvements concerning the emancipation of

women, they can finally free themselves from the

burqa and hence from taboos and restrictions which

up to now have been imposed on them by the

traditions.


Since September 2012 the Italian Regiment “Taurinense” has been involved in Afghanistan in

peace keeping and peace enforcing operations. Thousands of volunteers have been trained to

serve in the Herat area for six months.

For the “Taurinense” corps - who celebrated their 60th anniversary this year - it has been a

difficult and heavy commitment but also an opportunity to transmit their values and traditions

to the people of Afghanistan.

The Taurinense in Afghanistan

by Gianni Oliva

December 2012 n°6

In fact “Alpino” does not merely mean a soldier wearing the traditional black feather hat but

fundamentally it means a military model, a cross between armed forces and civil society, a

behavioural attitude. The link between this image and the duty of the “Taurinense” in

Afghanistan is not a coincidence.

In order to understand we have to go back in history. This

military Corps - “Alpini” - was founded in 1872, when a young

officer, Captain Domenico Perrucchetti, pointed out the

necessity to defend the Alpine Passes with special troops.

When the Western Alps became the border with France and

other mountains marked the North Eastern frontier with the

Austrian Empire it became urgent to place troops to stop

attacks and enemy invasions and give the army time to

organise a counterattack. The problem with this strategy was

who to send to the windy, bleak, cold mountains for several

months.

The answer was automatic. These soldiers could only be

mountaineers - men who had been raised in the

mountains and who were used to the hardships. In other

words these Alpine soldiers must be stationed in the

same valleys where they were brought up. According to

recruitment rules in general young men had to do the

military service far from home except for the “Alpini”

who had to be recruited in their own territory.

This is one of the characteristics of this military Corps.

Before being a soldier an “Alpino” is patient, resistant and

well-balanced but above all he is a mountaineer. The local

people from the valleys do not consider him as a

stranger in uniform but as a son doing his military service

in the same barracks as his forefathers and where, one

day, his sons and grandsons will also go. Indeed these

soldiers and the civil society are the same.

Photo © Susa Libri

Many years have gone by since then and nowadays even

though recruitment is completely different these

traditions have survived despite many changes.

The aims of the “Taurinense” mission in Afghanistan are:

to harmonize with the local people, to collaborate and

help the development of this country.

The “Alpini” not only transmit the know-how they

acquired during their training but also the culture of

exchange and participation. The commitment of these

soldiers is to build rather than to garrison.

When we look at the human history around the world, it is incredible how much life has been

dominated by war, violence, struggles, and the pursuit of power. Perhaps nothing in life is more

paramount in importance than the act of killing or being killed. Yet almost all those who have

had the power to decide on this matter have been men. To be sure, women have always existed

as an integral part of human society. However, their role has been limited to serving as mothers,

sisters, wives, or assistants of those who have ruled the world at the time of war and peace. On

balance, we can say that women have been as logisticians of men’s world order. To improve

women’s life quality and social stability worldwide, women must move from being logisticians to

Women as Humans and decision makers

by Jawad Joya

December 2012 n°6

women’s life quality and social stability worldwide, women must move from being logisticians to

becoming decision-makers in their respective society. How can women become decision-

makers in our world? I think the answer depends largely on what society you are talking about

and which stage of social, political, and economic development that particular society is in. Take

the case of women in Kabul or Herat. The current general condition of women is hard and they

face systemic barriers to progress.

When I returned to Kabul in 2009, I was moved by the challenges they face every day. In my

personal experience, however, life was different before the wars. Social life consisted of men,

women, and children. As a young boy, I remember going to different places in Kabul with my

mother. Kabul was relatively good to women and women added a humane touch to the natural

beauty of Kabul. The presence of women was felt in many corners of the public life. Women

were in the radio, television, theater, and on the street. You found them in public administrations

such as schools, hospitals, and governmental offices. On the streets, you saw women from many

walks of life and they came in all shapes and sizes - fat, slim, young, old, ugly, pretty. Most of them

were well-dressed and the veil, for instance, was not prevalent. The majority of urban women

had self-confidence and they were educated.

Increasingly, they were part of the professional class. A vibrant middle class was emerging in

which women were a force. In general, the social attitude towards women was different.Women

had a visible place in the public life and social imagination.

Then, the question that comes to mind is what happened? How did we arrive here? I think that

the Cold War had the same impact on Kabul and the rest of the country that the volcano had

on Pompeii. The ashes of this volcano were forever wars and religious extremism. This trend

impacted women badly. The most dramatic change came in 1992. One day, we learned that a

woman was attacked in Pole Mahmood Khan, located in downtown Kabul, for wearing a

miniskirt. Acid was poured on her vagina to punish her for “vulgar dressing”.

In another event, a husband and his miniskirt-wearing wife were attacked. The man was forced

to take off his pants and make his wife wear them in public to cover her “bare legs.” The

mojahedeen militias were responsible for these measures and imposed new dress code on

women. As many of you may know,mojahedeen were the militia groups who received extensive

training, funding, and intellectual support from the US, Saudi Arabia, and many European

countries. They fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1980s.

To help women genuinely and effectively, it is necessary to invest personal time and interest. The

first step is to change public attitude that women are humans first. The second step is to

understand the context of women’s lives. Helping women within the lives they live in produces

more sustainable results.What leads to nowhere is judging before understanding.

As noted, the 1992 collapse of government in Kabul created endless militia groups. There was

nobody to provide security to the civilians. Militia groups harassed people, especially young

women and men. Young women responded by using the veil to protect themselves from the

harassment of militias. In this case, change in women's dress code has been clearly related to

security unfavourable conditions. As the security conditions change here, it is likely that the use

of the veil by women will decrease too.

The point to understand is that dress code is not the heart of the problem; it is something else.

To focus in helping women in many places, including Kabul and rest of the country, should be on

good education, skill development, sustainable employment, creative activities, producing more

women teachers, and linking women with their peers around the world.

As a young Afghan girl who is concerned about the current disastrous situation in Afghanistan I

would like to write my opinion about the withdrawal of foreign troops and possible formentation

of civil war in my country. This is a hot issue in Afghanistan today and every Afghan has their own

opinion about it, but most Afghans are really worried about their future. Right now millions of

Afghans are living in a kind of hell. They suffer from injustice, insecurity, corruption, destitution,

poverty, addiction, starvation etc.

On 7th October the U.S. and NATO entered Afghanistan but now eleven years later people are

Analysis of a useless occupationForeign troops leave Afghanistan but nothing has changed

by Shaheen Poya

December 2012 n°6

On 7th October the U.S. and NATO entered Afghanistan but now eleven years later people are

still facing terrible challenges. Western governments are raising the issue that their troops will

withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014 and they will hand over responsibility to the Afghan national

army and local police. I believe it is just propaganda that the U.S. and NATO say they came to

Afghanistan for benevolent reasons, instead they are concerned with their own agenda and plans.

Although they will withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan they are meanwhile also

expanding their military bases in my country.

The presidential election in the U.S. was just another occasion for the candidates to deceive their

own people. Unfortunately in this latest decade of war our Afghan security forces were unable to

stand on their own feet while in the past they were a voluntary force. People call the army

“dollar army” as most of these young people join the army because of economic problems and

the heads of the national army and police are powerful and corrupt officials. I believe that if those

who were in power had investigated and planned our army honestly during these 11 years of

“war on terror”, today there would be no need for any foreign troops in Afghanistan. Western

governments are under pressure from their people who are tired of the war in Afghanistan and

who are also suffering the global economic crisis. Personally I think that the withdrawal of the

troops is a political issue and will ridicule their own people.

The people are told that if the troops leave the country civil war will break out and it will be

impossible to have a democratic presidential election in Afghanistan.

However our people have still gone through civil war and fraudulent elections during these

years of “war on terror”. I feel that any future civil war the western and Afghan officials wage

will be no worse than the current one. If western governments are honest towards Afghan

people they must not invite Taliban terrorists to be part of this non-democratic government.

With Taliban in power, the situation will be tragic for our people, especially for our

unfortunate women. Officially the U.S. and NATO came to Afghanistan to fight for women’s

rights or at least this was their excuse. Unfortunately nowadays the Afghan women are

suffering more than ever, especially in distant provinces. Hundreds of schools have been shut

down for security reasons. If girls go to school, terrorists throw acid on their faces or even

poison them. Kidnapping, domestic violence, self immolation, rape and many other inhuman

atrocities are increasing more and more against defenseless girls and women. Public

executions are the same as during the Taliban era. In July 2012, in the Parwan Province - a few

kilometers from Kabul - Najiba was publicly shot in the head several times by the Taliban. All

over Afghanistan women are still publicly lashed, stoned to death and shot. Only a few days

ago an unknown terrorist attacked a young Afghan movie star, Soneya Sarwari. It was just the

tip of the iceberg - these crimes against women are increasing daily. Millions of Afghan men

and women suffer from economic problems, lack of security, corruption, drugs and manyand women suffer from economic problems, lack of security, corruption, drugs and many

other hardships. Despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops in Afghanistan we still

do not feel safe in Kabul. I think the withdrawal of foreign troops is merely propaganda and

that the hands of the wrong politicians of western governments are behind all this. I am sure

it is just a political issue - the U.S. military bases and those of other foreign countries are here

solely for their own interests. I strongly believe in the principle of self-determination of

people and the foreigners must let Afghans decide their own future rather than pour more

fuel onto the blazing fire.


The last issue of this second year ends with one of the most famous names of the Italian

journalism: Ettore Mo. A correspondent who told us about all the world crisis and has

interviewed the main protagonists of our time. “Travel is my whole life. I can’t go without. As

long as my health permits me - said Mo in a recent interview - I will travel the world to tell new

stories”. He has shared his reflections and memories of 30 years in Afghanistan with us. The first

meeting with Ashmad Shah Massoud - the Lion from Pashir, the dramatic assassination of his

colleague and friend Mizwair, being powerless against the traditions which have always banished

women to the edge of society. On many occasions eye witness of the inhuman way women are

Thank you!

by Barbara Donat-Cattin

December 2012 n°6

women to the edge of society. On many occasions eye witness of the inhuman way women are

treated - even worse than beasts. Nevertheless even this great journalist is encouraged by “the

news about the progress the country has made” especially regarding women’s conditions.

There is also the voice of Jawad Joya, a young Afghan man, under

30, who won many struggles. His life could have been non-

existent on the contrary he is now a man of success. I am grateful

because he immediately accepted to write for our magazine with

enthusiasm. “Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I am

glad to hear from someone like you who cares about women

elsewhere. Let me know how I can be of help”. He is also well

known in the world of journalism as he has written some articles

for one of the most important Italian newspapers La Stampa. He

returned to Kabul in 2009 and immediately clashed with a reality

where progress seemed to have disappeared, he remembered “a

better world”.“What happened?”, he wondered.

Gianni Oliva is a scholar of the XX century and author of many editorial successes. Through

his books written in a direct and involving way we can discover the history of the Armed

Forces. He gives us a history lecture in which past and present are linked. His article covers

the history of the most loved Italian military corps: “the Alpini”. The Taurinense Corps - who

celebrated their 60th anniversary this year - have been involved in Afghanistan since

September 2012. This is a very complex period for a country martyred through years of

conflicts. According to Oliva the commitment of the Taurinense is not coincidental. “Alpino

does not merely mean a soldier but fundamentally it means a military model, a cross between

armed forces and civil society, a behavioural attitude”. This is exactly what the Afghan people

need in this delicate phase.

In contrast Shaheen Poya referring to the NATO and U.S. Forces has very strong words against

the armed forces. She thinks that since 2001 they have been unable to help the Afghan

population. She recalls the principle of self-determination of people in which she strongly

believes and asks the foreign forces to step back and let the Afghans free to decide their own

future.

As Jawad Joya wrote “what leads to nowhere isAs Jawad Joya wrote “what leads to nowhere is

judging before understanding” Shaheen’s opinion is a

good occasion to comprehend reasons too often

misunderstood by the western world.

Once again I would like to thank everyone who

collaborated with us during this second year. A

special thanks goes to Mr. Hosseini - the famous

author - who wrote for us in various issues.

CONTRIBUTORS

NICOLETTA BOMBARDIERE - Head of General Direction for Afghanistan Political Affairs, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

EMMA BONINO - Vice president of the Italian Senate, former European Commissioner and Euro MP

FERRUCCIO DE BORTOLI - Journalist, Editor in chief of the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

BARBARA DONAT-CATTIN - Secretary General Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

KHALED HOSSEINI - American author and doctor, born in Afghanistan. Author of “The Kite Runner”

JAWAD JOYA - Afghan anthropologist and strategic policy analyst

ETTORE MO - Journalist and war correspondent of the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

GIANNI OLIVA - Author and scholar of the twentieth century

ERIKA PAUSELLI - Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

GIULIO TERZI - Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Italian Ambassador in the United States of America

AFGHAN JOURNALISTS

FARIHA KHORSAND

25 years old

Graduated in Journalism at the University of Herat

SAGHAR MOHAMMADI

22 years old


SHAHEEN POYA

24 years old


SAKHI ATTAYE

32 years old


“Supporting women’s rights in Afghanistan is largely about listening”.

Khaled Hosseini

Project of the Fondazione Fondiaria Sai

www.womentobe.org

Khaled Hosseini

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