12 March 2010 - In 1975, the International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day.

Every year during the month of March, thousands of events are held across the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

The day is also celebrated across Afghanistan with various activities. This year’s International Women’s Day was marked with a major ceremony held at UNAMA’s Tirin Kot (TK) office in Uruzgan province.

The ceremony, which was attended by more than 80 women, was graced by Uruzgan Governor Asadullah Hamdam, Senator Haji Amanullah Provincial Council Head Haji Pir Jan; and the provincial director of the Department of Women Affairs (DoWA), provincial chiefs of the Afghan National Army (ANA), Afghan National Police (ANP) and the National Security Directorate (NSD), plus representatives of civil society and the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

It was also attended by UNAMA TK staff led by Human Rights officer for southern region, Ms Roueida El Hage, media correspondents, and representatives from the Dutch Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), AusAid and USAID.

Uruzgan is one of the poorest and remotest provinces in the central highlands where women are hardly allowed to participate in public life as compared to women in Nimroz, Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

Traditionally, women are mostly confined to their homes and education attainment among them is very low in Uruzgan. In Tirin Kot, very few women are seen outside their homes, and those who do go out are generally from other parts of the country. This, as Uruzgan women are strictly confined to their homes.

Women’s freedom of movement is entirely restricted due to strict adherence to local customs.

Speaking during the ceremony, DoWA Director Ms Farishta Samay highlighted several challenges faced by women in Uruzgan. “Most of the women in Uruzgan are deprived of their basic rights. Their situation is a real cause of concern with growing cases of forced marriages, marriage of girls at young age, running from homes, denial by their male counterparts to participate in public activities and other social cases. Majority of women are kept behind doors to look after their children and to do house chores,” said Ms Samay.

Uruzgan Governor Hamdam, while speaking at the occasion, stressed the need to provide women with education. He said that women are provided with fewer opportunities to engage in political activities.

“Practical measures are required in order to change the conditions of women in Uruzgan. Firstly, we need to provide them with education opportunities and, secondly, women’s participation in political activities should be ensured,” added Mr Hamdam.

“We have certain plans on hand to change the lives of women. Initially, we would like to explore ways to increase the ratio of education amongst women,” said the Uruzgan governor, adding, “Women should also play their part by persuading their daughters and sisters to go to schools and acquire education. They shouldn’t be ignorant of their responsibilities towards building a progressed and prosperous society where gender equality is ensured.”

Mullah Bahadur Agha, a local cleric, highlighted the rights of women in the context of the Holy Quran. He said that women are given equal rights to men, except in a few instances where men enjoy more rights; however, it doesn’t mean that women are degraded.

“Women’s rights are enshrined/protected in Islam. They have a great value and play a key role in the development of a society. For instance, if there wasn’t mother, world wouldn’t have existed now. The problems faced by women in Afghanistan are mainly due to false cultural and traditional norms which truly contradicts the teachings of the Quran and Islam which preserve women’s rights by all means,” said Mullah Agha.

UNAMA Human Rights Officer Ms El Hage, for her part, said “Muslims should speak with pride in pointing out that women received certain rights at the time the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).”

“However, in practical terms, today in some Islamic countries, women are treated by men as second-class citizens. The Holy Quran ensures equality between men and women,” added Ms Hage.

The Afghan Constitution and legislation, as well as international human rights treaties – to which Afghanistan is a party – also confirm these principles.

“The phenomenon of violence against women and girls in Afghanistan can be viewed as a harmful practice as it is reinforced by tradition and culture, is widespread, and often has the implicit acceptance of families and society,” added Ms Hage.

Women’s Day was also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nimroz and Zabul with hundreds of women participating.

By Mujeeb Rahman, UNAMA