Chesler Chronicles

April 16th, 2009 12:58 pm

Afghan Women Demonstrate in Kabul. Dangerous Times, Heroic Women.

Finally, in 2009, in Saudi Arabia, for the second time, a court in Unaiza upheld the marriage of an eight year old girl to a 58 year-old man. (The Saudi Authorities might intervene to make sure that he “does not have sex with her until she reaches puberty.”) Now, what can that mean? When the girl first menstruates which can happen when she is only nine or ten?

Americans, both liberal and conservative, have continually talked about the importance of finding “moderate,” “peaceful,” pro-democracy, pro-modernity, and pro-woman Muslims and of working with them. I quite agree. But what exactly does this mean?

Left-liberal feminists believe that they should indeed make alliances–but only with those Muslims who blame America first, Islam never. If women are being stoned, veiled, or forcibly married as children against their will–that’s because America’s foreign and military policies ended whatever stability or progress might have evolved in the country or region. Thus, paradoxically, such western, secular feminists are often most comfortable citing Muslim women who demand their rights–but only within the confines of Islamic religious (Shari’a) law; or Muslim women who have honed their anti-Western rhetoric in the West.

Libertarian and conservative feminists believe that the Islamic religion and Muslim cultural habits are, at their very root, intrinsically hostile towards progress, democracy, freedom, and women’s rights and that nothing America has done or has failed to do could ever have changed this.

Whether we choose to blame America for its heavy-handedness in the past, for having contributed to the increasing Islamification of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, or, whether we choose to continue to blame the Qu’ran, Saudi oil politics, jihadic terrorism, and indigenous barbarism for such Islamification–what, exactly, if anything, do we propose to actually do to help the women of Afghanistan and Pakistan?

I have often said that my fiery brand of feminism was forged in Afghanistan, a beautiful, treacherous country because, when I returned to America, I was a different person. I had seen and experienced Islamic gender apartheid up-close-and-personal; I had also nearly died there. Despite their relative powerlessness, some Afghan women were exceptionally kind to me.

Consider my abiding concern with women’s fate in Afghanistan and in the Muslim world as an expression of my gratitude and sense of kinship.

UPDATE:

‘Tis true: Some very brave Afghan women demonstrated for their rights in Kabul. However, even more Afghan women demonstrated against women’s rights and they joined the male mob who cursed and stoned the heroines of Kabul. Such loyalty to the misogynist status quo is typical, not unusual, not only for Afghan or for Third World women, but for women everywhere.

Like men, women have internalized sexist views. In addition, like men, they also believe that the West is to blame for all their problems and that if their own tribe, country, or religion were only more powerful, that it would find a humane and dignified solution for women’s problems.

I do not think this is true. Consider the appalling treatment of women in Saudi Arabia, which has never been conquered or colonized but which has, in fact, been funding terrorism against the West and on the Western dime-for-oil.

Still, women have supported their own face and body shrouding as a form of religious modesty or as a statement against “foreign occupation” and “racism.” At the demonstrations in Kabul, some counter-protesters shouted “Death to the slaves of the Christians!” Others insisted that foreigners and foreign views were “the enemy of Afghanistan.”

My book, Women’s Inhumanity to Woman is just being issued next month with a new Introduction. I discuss this and other similar phenomenon there.

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20 Comments

1. Dymphna:

Great post…

Afghan and Pakistani women are forced to live abject lives by an insane, cruel and essentially insecure culture which uses them as scapegoats.

My heroine is Pakistan’s Mukhtar Mai. I hope she survives the turmoil, and that the schools she built continue to flourish.

I ponder her often, wondering how she managed to find within herself the fortitude to continue. Ironically, I think it was the support of her father and her imam that made it possible for her to survive.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:14 pm 2. George Jochnowitz:

The fact that the demonstrations are taking place is wonderful. The fact that a young couple was executed by the Taliban for eloping is horrifying. The women are not only couragous, they are organized enough to be able to get together at the same time. Organization is as important as courage. The police protected them, which is really a sign of progress.

As for the young couple, their story should be better known. The whole world should be expressing horror and disgust that such a thing has happened. Alas, hardly anybody knows about it.

Apr 16, 2009 - 4:15 pm 3. LynnS:

Just when I get my head in the clouds and forget what so many brave women, men, and children are confronting every day in their lives, suffering under grave brutality, I read your words and with a bump come right back down to earth. It is inexcusable that the media does not carry these stories to the world, and I believe you are perfectly correct that it is not a worthy cause unless they can blame the West.

What is happening now in Afghanistan and Pakistan is truly heartbreaking, and I fear that in order to gain a false peace the United States will appease the leaders of these countries by remaining silent about the Taliban and Sharia Law gaining a stronger and stronger foothold until the suffering is silenced under a smothering blanket of repression.

Apr 17, 2009 - 6:13 am 4. Pajamas Media » Afghan Women Demonstrate in Kabul:

[...] the entire story here [...]

Apr 17, 2009 - 10:39 am 5. kenny komodo:

I read the story of Ayaan Hirisi Ali, among others, and am fully aware of the atrocities committed by advocates of the so called “religion of peace”. If the Afghan women want to continue to protest there must be a determined effort by the fledgling Afghan government to oust the Taliban and other terrorist groups and form a nation. Otherwise the country of Afghanistan will slide back into the 7th century and women will again be oppressed, murdered and raped. What I don’t understand is why the left, all up in arms over the war in Iraq led by President Bush, is giving Obambi such as pass on Afghanistan. Don’t get me wrong I want Obambi to pursue the terrorists and kill them no matter where they try to hide. You would think that the world would be angered by the treatment of women in Afghanistan but its more of…ho hum, Afghanistan is far away and really who cares. Well the U.S. cares and we should provide the people of Afghanistan the opportunity to have a better life. Screw the opinion of the rest of the world they can all kiss my ass.

Apr 17, 2009 - 11:06 am 6. momof3:

So all the liberal women here in the US who think they don’t need a man in their lives at all think we need to be “understanding” about the ways of Islam? That it’s ok to let other women suffer like this? Asshats, one and all. I say if you think islam needs understanding, you should move to where you live under it. Put your money where your mouth is!

Apr 17, 2009 - 11:14 am 7. Citizen70:

GENDER APARTHEID – this is the perfect description for this oppressive practice. I will begin saying it often in the hope that this “catchy” term is adopted by the media and concerned people everywhere. Let’s call it what it really is.

Apr 17, 2009 - 11:23 am 8. Dr. Bukk:

I’m very happy to learn of the brave womens’ demonstration. Shortly after the White House announced they were backing off on installing democracy in Afghanistan, I read of this new law. It is disgusting to me, but not surprising, that Obama, who is perhaps really a Muslim, would adopt this liberal mantra of moral relativism.

As usual, I feel that polygamy should be the target of our scorn, not necessarily Islam. Demography is destiny. Within 3 or 4 generations, American polygamists were beating their women and children, forcing them to cover from the neck down (to hide bruises) and dumping extra young boys in other locations.

Over there, jihad is the way the extra men are dumped. Violence toward all members of society is intrinsic to polygamy. It is not a consensual arrangement like Hefner’s harem. It is a 1300 year atrocity. The people are inbred due to the practice and are having unusually frequent birth defects.

Apr 17, 2009 - 12:34 pm 9. AThinkingPerson:

Godspeed to these brave women! I am beyond disbelief that ANYONE could defend such heinous acts against females under the guise of Islamic culture and religion. Human rights should come first and any culture that acts otherwise surely sinks to the level of animals.

What is the most frustrating thing is wondering how in the world can we possibly help these woman/girls in their fight for true freedom? WHAT CAN WE DO??

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:01 pm 10. Delia:

Momof3, you took the words right outta my mouth!

God bless these brave women. Hopefully there will not be a backlash for their courage in the face of such horrible oppression.

Another great article, Phyllis. Thank you for keeping us informed!

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:17 pm 11. tekhelet:

Thank you. Enjoyed the report and appreciate your bravery. You are a poised writer without pretense who speaks up for the good of others.

Apr 17, 2009 - 1:19 pm 12. George Jochnowitz:

Feminists are totally selfless. They will give up everything they are interested in for the sake of opposing Israel. The Taliban, to be sure, is basically concerned with persecuting its own women rather than fighting Israel, but it is part of the world of Islamic extremism, and so feminists have to support it.

Apr 17, 2009 - 2:05 pm 13. Ed Drain:

As a soldier who helped make possible the first local elections in Afghanistan since the Soviet’s occupation of Afghanistan, I will happily take some of the credit.

I wonder if all those feminists from NOW would humble themselves so much to thank a soldier. Like it or not, *every* freedom we enjoy is because of some soldiers, past and present who were willing to put themselves on the line in support of democracy. I won’t be holding my breath!

Apr 17, 2009 - 6:55 pm 14. one of my own:

“If a guy can’t rape his wife, who’s he gonna rape?”

We all know who said that, right? Wayne Ross, Palin’s pick for Attorney General. At least the Alaska State Legislature had the good sense to reject him (and her). Is it just me or would those two make pretty good Taliban?

Apr 17, 2009 - 8:52 pm 15. Delia:

13. Ed Drain,

God bless you, Ed and thank you from the bottom of my lil’ pea pickin’ heart. YOU ROCK, Sir! I salute you!

Apr 18, 2009 - 1:17 am 16. Mary Jackson:

Great article. What cowards these men must be, despite their macho pretensions, to attack women. Real men don’t.

Phyllis Chesler has seen real misogyny up close and personal, which gives her a perspective that so many so-called feminists in the West lack.

Apr 18, 2009 - 10:00 am 17. MiamaMan:

Phyllis…Shalom!

Just a comment…

Besides all the sacrifices of the American military and its soldiers in Afghanistan, the best and bravest, please allow me, under present contrast, to highlight the decency and good wishes for that forsaken part of the world of a certain, and often vituperated Texan, the former and Honorable President of the United States: George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush, polled by Gallup as one of the most popular first ladies, and an advocate of woman’s rights in Afghanistan (not a feminist).

Whether he was “undermisunderstood”, I could read W’a loud and clear, as for now, between a bow to Frankenstein and the purposeful destruction of Homeland Security under “feminist” Janet Napolitano, don’t know what to read.

Apr 18, 2009 - 1:59 pm 18. David Levavi:

Why is the Muslim male such a mousedick, I can’t help but wonder. What makes him so terrified of women that he can’t he lower his guard and enjoy honest uncoerced female companionship for its own sake? Why such abysmal and unmanly lack of confidence?

Dr Bukk is correct that polygamy is the the core problem. But polygamy and Islam are inseparable. The subjugation and enslavement of women is an essential of the cowardly religion of hate.

Apr 18, 2009 - 6:44 pm 19. travis:

I have to agree this was a well written article.

Apr 18, 2009 - 7:12 pm 20. MiamaMan:

18. David Levavi

You wonder? Experts say Muslim males have the highest level of impotence. Boy molestation is endemic in that culture too. Apparently they can’t have a healthy relationship with the female organ as it comes either, for it must be mutilated first.

One thing no expert told me is that every time NBC does this program where this guy sets up a trap with the local police, forgot the name, with a supposedly underage girl, always a bunch of Pakis show up, I wonder why?

Apr 19, 2009 - 5:19 pm