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KABUL, Afghanistan – Events celebrating the 100th International Women’s Day were held all over the world Tuesday, but a small group of Afghan women celebrating their progress toward freedom may have outshined them all.
More than 250 women who are widowed, living in poverty, or have disabled husbands made products to sell at the first all-woman’s bazaar held at the International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul.
The bazaar shined with shimmering scarves, sparkling jewelry, glittering purses, brilliant-colored dresses, and bright smiles on the Afghan women’s faces as they freely conducted commerce.
The bazaar’s purpose was two-fold. It provided less-fortunate women with a market to sell their products. It also celebrated International Women’s Day as an “independence” day for Afghan women, as their country progresses toward more freedom and equality for all.
“Today is a special day for every woman in Afghanistan,” said Shlekiba Bromand, a vendor.
“Today is a good moment for me. I am very happy.”
Freedom to socialize, attend school and commerce have been stifled for women in Afghanistan for decades.
“I can’t comprehend the past 30 years you have experienced,” Canadian Brig. Gen. Christine Whitecross, told the Afghan women during her opening comments at the bazaar. “I applaud your resilience, tenacity and strength of character.”
Over the past few years, the Afghan women have been making gains in independence, such as running their own shops to performing jobs once only held by men. In February, women serving in the Afghan National Police in Kabul began conducting checkpoint duties formerly conducted only by men.
“Our culture is different in Afghanistan right now,” said Bromand, who was also teaching her daughter, Freba, to run her own jewelry shop at the bazaar.
Although the Afghan women have a much different past than many women who celebrated International Women’s Day, all women have two things in common – strength and compassion, said Whitecross.
There is still much progress to be made in equality of women throughout Afghanistan, but events like the women’s bazaar provide hope for the future.
“I am glad,” Bromand said about the progress that has been made. “I hope next year is even better than this year.”
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.09.2011 23:58 |
| Story ID: | 66752 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, International Women’s Day celebrated by Afghan women at female-ran bazaar, by SSgt Stacey Haga, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
