Afghanistan

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The Women of Kabul

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The Washington Post has put up a nice multi-media feature by Paula Lerner entitled “The Women of Kabul. Here's the synopsis: ”Five years ago today the Taliban fled Kabul, bringing an end to a harsh regime. This feature tells the stories of five women entrepreneurs in Kabul who are rebuilding their lives and their country by building their businesses. They are struggling to take control of their future against a backdrop of a country still recovering from decades of war and facing an ongoing insurgency.“ Lerner also took part in an online conversation with Marla Gitterman, Program Director of the Business Council for Peace (Bpeace). A transcript of that can be found here. 200611162235

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Parwana book project

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Redux Pictures photographer Katherine Kiviat and journalist Scott Heidler have allowed WarShooter to post ten of the images and interviews contained in their the two-year book project, Parwana. the project documents the stories of women in Afghanistan who are acting as "agents of change" there. None of the photographs have been published in the United States.

Bebe Gul Gholamri
BEBE GUL GHOLAMRI Flag Woman with Street Construction Crew “I feel that it’s a good thing that women are now working side-by-side with men.” Q: How long have you been working on rebuilding the roads of Kabul? A: One year, two months. Q: What were you doing before this? A: I went to people’s houses and washed their clothes. Q: How does your husband feel about you working on the streets of Kabul? A: My husband died two years ago. Q: How did he die? A: He was killed by a landmine in Kabul. Q: How did you find out about this construction job? A: My friend Zekia found out about the job and told me. Q: How do you feel about doing a job that is normally reserved for men? A: I do this job to help our government and help build a better country for my children. Being a widow, it is very difficult for me to earn money. This job gives me the money to buy food for my family. I feel that it’s a good thing that women are now working side-by-side with men. Q: How do the men treat you, the men you work next to? A: They act like brothers.

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Lailama Nabizada

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LAILAMA NABIZADA
Afghan National Army Helicopter Pilot
“If woman were treated the same as men, we might even be better pilots.

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Jamila Mujahad

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JAMILA MUJAHAD
TV Journalist
“For the first time in a long time all the people of Afghanistan have their eyes open, they know what needs to be done for a good future.

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Homaira Habib

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HOMAIRA HABIB
Radio Journalist
“I am hopeful that soon there will be a day when men and women in all of Afghanistan, from all walks of life, stand side by side.

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General Khatool Muhammad Zai

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GENERAL KHATOOL MUHAMMAD ZAI
Afghan Army Paratrooper
“Women are playing a role in helping Afghanistan, with or without the burka on.

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Farzana Wahidy

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FARZANA WAHIDY Photojournalist “Sometimes the only way to get a true Afghan story is to have an Afghan woman take the photos.” Q: Why is photojournalism important in Afghanistan? A: Over 90% of Afghans are illiterate, so they can’t read to get information about their country and the world. I find photojournalism more useful because such a large percentage of my country’s population gets their news from looking at photos.

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Farzana Bread Maker

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FARZANA Bread Maker “Things are moving forward, but don’t leave behind those who still suffer from the past.” Q: What did you do at the bakery? A: It was a work program for women run by Massouda Jalal, the current Minister of Women’s Affairs, but then she was working for World Food Program. This was during the Taliban time when women could not work outside of the home. Q: Where were these bakery shops? A: They were in another woman’s house.

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