The literacy program looks like a great thing for the Afghan women. I found
Lisa's comment (posted on Nov 22nd) on the positioning of the program as
"health education and literacy classes" particularly interesting. I was
wondering if any of these women are viewed to be more educated than those
not attending the program and if they have experienced any adverse
consequences as a result?

Madhavi Baji
mbaji at msn.com

-----Original Message-----
From: womenliteracy-bounces at dev.nifl.gov
[mailto:womenliteracy-bounces at dev.nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Daphne Greenberg
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 6:58 PM
To: womenliteracy at dev.nifl.gov
Subject: [WomenLiteracy] Re Afghan women

I am sending this on behalf of Belinda who is having difficulty posting to
the list:

With regard to coed classrooms, in the US there are several public schools
that offer classes that are held separately for boys and girls in secondary
middle school.  I was wondering if your secondary (middle school -
highschool) classrooms where held separtately as are your adult classrooms.
Belinda Edwards

Belinda P. Edwards
Instructor of Mathematics
Mailbox #1204
Kennesaw State University
Phone:  770-420-4727
Fax:  770-423-6629 




>>> alcdgg at langate.gsu.edu 11/28/05 8:24 AM >>>

Thanks for all this interesting information! At the end of your post you
indicate that: "... a two-day conference on eliminating violence against
women was held this week." Was this conference made available to
"nonacademics", or was it basically an academic type of conference?
This made me think of another question. If women in the literacy programs in
Afghanistan were asked to list their most burning women related issues in
their lives, what do you think they would say?
Daphne


>>> BBell at edc.org 11/25/05 4:52 AM >>>

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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