Opening New Horizons

WOMANKIND’s partnership programmes in Afghanistan help women in practical and supportive ways to meet – and often overcome – the many and substantial disadvantages and challenges they face within their families, their communities and their country.??

Of the many strong female voices gradually emerging – here is just one:
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Before attending the rights awareness workshops I didn’t know what rights I have on my husband and as an Afghan citizen. My in-laws used to be very cruel and didn’t have good behaviour with me.? Their reason was that I didn’t bring dowry with myself according to our tradition when I married their son. As I didn’t know how to argue with them on this matter and give reasons for my right, I couldn’t do anything and felt very helpless. I was thinking they are right and that I should have brought a lot of money with me as I didn’t know it’s only a tradition, not part of Afghanistan’s Constitution or Laws. My in-laws even tried to urge my husband to divorce me.

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Afghan women voting in elections in Mazar-I-Sharif
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After attending the workshops and learning about my Islamic as well as civil rights, I no longer suffer. As I can argue with my in-laws, give them reasons according to what I know as my rights. In addition, I consider their rights, my husband’s rights and all social and moral points that I have learned.? I have been successful in bringing a lot of changes in my in-laws and my husband’s attitude and behaviour as a result of what I have learned …In addition, my own behaviour has changed for the better. I respect them and know how to negotiate and tackle a problem through speaking with them.

What I point out is, such workshops can change behaviour for the better, opens new horizons to women’s life, solving their problems in a legal and sensible way. This all results in a better change in women’s lives. empty

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