Women mobilization in Afghanistan

- Devaki Shrestha/UNV specialist

The evolving spirit of Voluntarism among Afghan women:

Women's participation in the community work was one of the most sensitive issues during Taliban regime. After the collapse of the regime, the new transitional government initiated some positive steps to create and expand opportunities for women. As a result, some organizations started to encourage women to come out. I have had interactions with a few women's groups and organizations. They were full of enthusiasm. Once, we had a meeting with one of the NGOs in Badghis province. They decided to start some literacy classes for women. We met several times in the process of preparation. Finally, the group succeeded to plan literacy classes for 119 illiterate women. The classes were running. Seeing women in the classes, the school teachers got motivated to help their less privileged sisters. They started literacy classes for 227 women participants. They started to help their sisters in the community as volunteers. This was a small but significant beginning. Also in the towns, the educated women started to take initiatives. They formed women councils. They encouraged womenfolk to come out and participate in vocational activities. They also motivated the women to participate in social functions and self-help activities. The council members are contributing their time and energy as volunteers. Now, the following changes could be observed:
- the women in the community have started to discuss their problems together,
- the woman organizations have developed confidence to take responsibilities,
- the brigade of prospective voluntary teachers and facilitators is expanding, and
- some of the women in the community have started to come out just covering their head (Hejab) instead of wearing veil (Burqa).
This is the humble beginning of a new Afghan society. During my discussion with the women teachers and council members, I have noticed that, they feel immense satisfaction. Perhaps, that is the wonderful feeling of serving the humanity in need. I think, in essence, this is what voluntarism is all about.