Acid Attacks Keep Afghan Girls Away From Classes
Walking to school shouldn't hurt, it shouldn't be painful and scary and it shouldn't leave scars. But earlier this week that's exactly what happened to schoolgirls in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar. They were attacked and 'punished' for the 'crime' of going to school by having acid flung at their faces.
Instead of worrying about what to wear or who to meet for lunch, these students worry about being scarred; being attacked. At least two of those attacked were wearing burqas. The burquas that they were wearing, signifying adherence to societal expectations in clothing, didn't protect them from attack by the men nor did the burqas stop the acid which ate right through the fabric.
The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change. — Carl Rogers
Adult male attackers, on motorcycles, attacked 15 girls and teachers with acid using a water pistol. Some of those attacked have burns only on their school uniforms but others will have scars on their faces with three being hurt seriously and hospitalized for burns. One teenager still cannot open her eyes after being hit in the face with acid.
Ultra-conservative religious forces continue to oppose full female participation in society, and violence against women and girls remains commonplace. One woman who sits in Afghanistan's Parliament says this violence is not just against women, but against the very idea of progress in Afghanistan. Just nine years ago, under Taliban rule that lasted between 1996 and 2001, women were denied many basic rights, including trading.
No students showed up at Mirwais Mena girls' school in the Taliban's spiritual birthplace the morning after it happened. The school has 1,500 students and all of the classes were full prior to the attack. ''Today the school is open, but there are no girls,'' principal Mehmood Qaderi said Thursday. ''Yesterday, all of the classes were full.''
Associated Press
Instead of worrying about what to wear or who to meet for lunch, these students worry about being scarred; being attacked. At least two of those attacked were wearing burqas. The burquas that they were wearing, signifying adherence to societal expectations in clothing, didn't protect them from attack by the men nor did the burqas stop the acid which ate right through the fabric.
The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change. — Carl Rogers
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11/25/2008 9:59 PM
Ad Libitum wrote:
Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman. -- Supreme Court Justice, Louis D. BrandeisKandahar's governor said Tuesday that authorities had arrested 10 alleged Taliban militants for the Nov. 12 attack on female teachers and students in Southern Afghanistan. Several of the girls suffered grievous facial burns and had to be hospitalized as a result of the attack. Speaking from her bed at Afghanistan's main military hospital in Kabul, Shamsia, the girl who was the most seriously injured, said "I'll ... -
11/25/2008 10:04 PM
Ad Libitum wrote:
Kandahar's governor said Tuesday that authorities had arrested 10 alleged Taliban militants for the Nov. 12 attack on female teachers and students in Southern Afghanistan.Several of the girls suffered grievous facial burns and had to be hospitalized as a result of the attack. Speaking from her bed at Afghanistan's main military hospital in Kabul, Shamsia, the girl who was the most seriously injured, said "I'll continue my schooling even if they try to kill me. I won't stop going to school." Reuters article Under Taliban rule, girls were banned from school and were ... -
11/26/2008 11:10 AM
Ad Libitum wrote:
Kandahar's governor said Tuesday that authorities had arrested 10 alleged Taliban militants for the Nov. 12 attack on female teachers and students in Southern Afghanistan.Under Taliban rule, girls were banned from school and were only allowed to leave the house accompanied by a male relative. The Afghan government has accused Taliban militants of attacking dozens of schools and teachers.Several of the girls suffered grievous facial burns and had to be hospitalized as a result of the attack. If the men who attacked thought they would intimidate these young women, bludgeon their love of learning into a twisted heap of acquiescence ...
I was so outraged by this article....I could feel that all too familiar knot in my throat when I feel like I'm going to cry. Such a terrible experience those girls have to live, it makes one reflect on their own life and realize things could be a lot worst. May we continue with the fight against violence towards women.
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Yes we will.
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This is horrible! I am devastated with this news. another form of abuse of women. i hope those girls can cope up, regain their lives or be able to live normally again. but i doubt it, especially in their country?
By the way, thanks very much for the invitation. your blog is great. keep it up.
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It's always upsetting to read stories like this. But, better that we know about it and that the actions of those men are exposed.
Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman. -- Supreme Court Justice, Louis D. Brandeis
Thanks!
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