AfghanistanAfghan women remain at the crossroads of dif-
ferent kinds of stereotyping. The sex/gender system
practiced exemplifies “ineluctable patriarchy” and
necessitates that young girls marry into large fami-
lies, gain respect primarily by bearing sons, and
later in life obtain power as mothers-in-law.
Seclusion of women from all males excepting the
ma™àrim(acceptable male guardians) through a
system of purdah (seclusion) is widely practiced
while most women are required to wear a burqa≠
(veil) in public. This kind of seclusion is regarded as
crucial to the family’s honor and pride. Afghan
society regards women as the perpetuators of the
ideals of the society, symbolizing honor of the fam-
ily, community, and the nation. Scholars have
attributed Afghan patriarchy to the mode of pro-
duction based on nomadic pastoralism and settled
agriculture, all constituted patrilineally (Riphen-
burg 2003). Women and children are often incor-
porated into the idea of property belonging to a
single male. This is especially true of the Pashtuns
(the largest ethnic group) whose tribal code is
masculine.
It is also widely believed that women must be
controlled and protected so as to maintain moral
purity. A large section of conservatives also con-
sider women socially immature with less moral
control and physical restraint than men, and hence
untrustworthy. Such attitudes lead to “generic”
stereotyping – not specifically related to Islam –
that Afghan women are alienated, incapable of
decision-making, subjugated, and inferior to their
male counterpart. Other characteristics that are
directly related to Islamic tenets, such as the
Prophet’s wives’ behavior as representing the ideal,
subordinate, and domestic roles for women,
upholding of polygamy for men, and marriage and
motherhood being the only opportunities for
women, lead to “sectorial” stereotypes. This kind
of stereotype relies on essential and cultural views
of Islam and harps on generalizations that Muslim
women have more children, are ignorant, and do
not have access to the outside world because they
belong to a particular culture.
Discourses on Afghan women have also stressed
the centrality of women in Afghan society. This
contradicts the stereotype of Afghan women living
Stereotypes
lives of unremitting labor, valued by men solely for
sexual and reproductive services. Many stress
respect for women as an important value that can-
not be undermined. There is also a fine line of dif-
ference with regard to private and public roles of
women. Some claim that there is a noticeable shar-
ing of ideas and responsibilities in many households
and sometimes individual charisma and strength
of character surmount conventional subordinate
roles. Public image is very important, requiring
urban women to be models of reticence and rural
women to be properly submissive. Any digression
from prescribed roles can lead to moral condemna-
tion and social ostracism. Elphinstone’s accounts
(1815) indicate that although women did not have
a large role to play outside their homes, they had an
important position within their homes and did have
a right to socialize. However they had to cover
themselves when in public to maintain chastity and
modesty. This hardly produced any feeling of con-
finement.
Among the rural, nomadic, and some ethnic
groups, such as the Nuristani, digressions from the
stereotypical role are often found. They do not
observe purdah. Rural women often participate in
agricultural activities and also specialize in handi-
crafts such as carpet- and felt-making. In contrast,
Nuristani women plow the fields while men herd
the flocks and process dairy products. Nomadic
women take care of their cattle and prepare dairy
products. Felt- and rug-making are also part of
female activity. Urban women joined the workforce
in large numbers during the Communist period
(from 1978) and the majority of them were profes-
sionals; technicians and administrators employed
by the government provided appropriate support.
Health and education were the two sectors where
they participated most, probably because they were
extensions of the traditional roles of women.
However some also worked for the police, army,
and airlines and also in government and private
industries.
The way the West perceives Afghan women is
largely dependent on international political devel-
opments. This leads to a mixture of misperceptions
and flawed judgments. They are classified as
women belonging to members of a particular group
(Afghan as well as Muslim) and hence stereotypical
inferences are drawn, resulting in faulty generaliza-