I rather think all the barriers to educating girls in the Afghan refugee
camps
should not stop anyone from trying. Certainly not fear; RAWA is already
calling
for a general uprising of the Afghan population against both Taliban and
Northern Alliance, and with the support of the democratic nation of the
United
States and the democratic national alliance called the United Nations, it
seems
as if the notion that women's rights are indeed human rights could be a
part of
that educational campaign. I suspect that RAWA and the women feel there is
nothing much left to lose. And they are 51 percent of the population, so of
course the Coalition will feel they are the rightful rulers of Afghanistan.
As
educators, we certainly all have the duty to support both democracy and
education. Or?
Linda Purrington
Title IX Advocates
lpurring@earthlink.net
Michelle.M.Kosmicki@phoenix.edc.org, kosmicki@nde.state.ne.us wrote:
A few days ago, there were a smattering of posting regarding the
educational policy of the Taliban, which specified the education of young
girls. Before we go blazing into the refugee camps and begin teaching,
consider a few things.
Women who had an education had to basically flee the country when the
Taliban came to power. There may be Taliban supporters in the refugee
camps.
Even though the refugees are physically just over the border, don't
believe for a second that the Taliban has lost it's power to rule them.
After all, these people have been through a very public and violent
psychological "programming" of sorts about what will happen if you deny
the Taliban. Will the refugees allow their female children to be
educated? Keep in mind that these children may be subject to public
harassment and
chastizing...even in the camps.
We don't know what the outcome of the battle at hand will be. If we
educate these girls, are we putting them at risk for a death sentence
upon return to Afghanistan under possible Taliban rule?
What if the refugee camps are overrun during the battle? Will the
country/organization sponsoring the refugee's education whisk them away
for their own protection?
I am very much in support of equal education for everyone. I don't want to
deny anyone their education. I do believe that we should be very careful
in assessing the situation and it's consequences prior to action.
Michelle M. Kosmicki,
Accountability Consultant
kosmicki@nde.state.ne.us
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