Daphne and all --
 
I wish I could send some photos of the many different ways that women dress here in Afghanistan.  Yes, the burqa is still worn by some women -- less so here in Kabul than in other parts of the country, but even here many women do wear the flowing blue (sometimes white) garments that cover them fully. In Kabul it is not uncommon to see women together on the street who are clearly friends but who dress differently -- one in a burqa, one in a long skirt with long jacket and a large shawl covering her head, and another in pants and jacket with a stylish scarf loosely covering her hair.  
 
In my limited experience, there are many reasons that some women do wear the burqa.  In some of the very rural villages where I've visited and talked with women, there is pressure from the local commander and/or religious leaders.  There may be pressure from family members.  Sometimes, women tell me they are more comfortable wearing it.  And some women don't wear it. I've never pressed the issue, as I feel it is not my role to challenge.  
 
When I was in Sayghan district of Bamian province, I saw few women in burqas. In Parwan province, I see many women in burqas.  Religious conservativism is certainly one influence. Another may be level of education and/or class.  I'm not knowledgeable enough to speak with any authority.  I do know, however, that some of our staff  (who are educated) in rural areas do wear the burqa in public, in part to do their work more easily in the villages, and for some out of tradition, pressure, or belief. 
 
Once I was in a village about an hour north of Kabul, meeting with the women's shura, or community council.  The room, in a family compound, was full of women and children -- and there was a pile of burqas in the corner.  I asked how they could identify their own garment -- they all looked alike -- and they laughed - and showed me the individual stitchery they each had made  on their own, a mark that identifies the owner.  In the back of the room there was a poster on the wall of a beautiful (uncovered) Indian woman movie star.  They saw me looking looking at the poster - and they told me - oh yes, she's our idol and all of the young women want to be like her.  So .....who knows what is ahead.
 
In the women's literacy classes that I am familiar with, all of the women cover their hair.  Because it is an all-female environment, if anyone has worn a burqa to the class, it is shed the moment she walks in the door. But often the class is close enough to home that women don't wear them.  I don't know if the teachers (who are residents of the villages where they teach) and learners ever discuss Western women -- probably they do after someone like me leaves! - but I'm always dressed appropriately (head covered, though I often  take off my scarf once inside).  In cities where there is access to television, I know the topic must come up.  I'll ask some of the staff and get back to you.
 
For me, the issue is not what women are wearing but what they are thinking and doing.  I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know rural Afghan women who are working hard to educate themselves, improve their communities, and hold their families together.  In my experience, they usually have a great sense of humor, a high degree of resiliency, and a lot of fortitude.  
 
One more thing -- a two-day conference on eliminating violence against women was held this week.  An Afghan colleague participated in the drafting of the conference declaration, and I'll try to get a copy to post to the list.
 
Brenda
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

________________________________

From: womenliteracy-bounces at dev.nifl.gov on behalf of Daphne Greenberg
Sent: Thu 11/24/2005 8:09 PM
To: womenliteracy at dev.nifl.gov
Subject: [WomenLiteracy] literacy instruction in Afghanistan



I have a question about the Burka (not sure about the spelling-sorry). For many of us, who are not used to wearing or seeing the Burka on a daily basis, seeing the way Afghani women covered themselves during the Taliban regime was difficult. We have also heard that in many parts of Afghanistan, women continue to wear the full Burka. For many of us who are not used to wearing the Burka, we feel as if it is a women's right issue not to wear one, and yet we also know that there are women who prefer to wear it.
I was curious how/if this gets carried out in the classroom? Are the communities pretty homogeneous in their wearing of the Burka, so if you visit a female classroom, you will either see most/all wearing it, or not, depending on the community? Do the teachers by and large reflect the community too? If not, is there discussion in the classroom, discomfort, disagreement, etc. between those who do wear it and those who don't?
Please excuse me for my lack of knowledge. When I am talking about the Burka, I am hopefully using the right term for the complete covering from head to toe, with the exception of netting for the eyes. Even my description is vague, because I am going by my memory of pictures that I have seen.
Perhaps this is more of an issue for women like me in the US, who are not used to covering up , and it is not such an issue for women in your classes?
I wonder if women in your classes talk about the images of US/European women who do not cover up, and in fact often dress very scantily. Perhaps this is an issue for discussion with them, just like the Burka is with some of us in the States?
Thanks,
Daphne


Daphne Greenberg
Assistant Professor
Educational Psych. & Special Ed.
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3979
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3979
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu

Daphne Greenberg
Associate Director
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3977
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3977
phone: 404-651-0127
fax:404-651-4901
dgreenberg at gsu.edu

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