Old traditions, an obstacle for Afghan women

The two extremes have always been a problem for Afghanistan. On the one hand, a very few Afghan women have quickly adapted to the new western style in big cities. While others in villages are still suffering from old traditions that prevent them from the least education.
After the fall of Taliban in 2001, following resurgence of Northern Alliance and now under the command of Hamid Karzi Afghanistan has started to move towards prosperity - however, very slow and gradually. Just months before the new government, women couldn’t dare to come out without Burqa or even they sat at home the whole 12 months of year; whereas, now the same Afghan women not only walk on the streets of Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif but also drive cars.
People start sending their daughters to schools, colleges and universities - which was impossible in the Taliban regime. Men started living freely - no more obligations to put on beard and wearing turban. Today many Afghan women go to work. They go to universities as student and lecturers. They are almost involved in all fields. But to what extent they fulfil their responsibilities towards their country – a county which has just came out of the civil war and overcame terrorism -, less people know. There are questions to be answered. The question which a colleague asked me just few days ago was why don’t we study or find a job instead of spending 6 hours on makeup and choosing clothing style? It could be asked from many other women too. Many girls in Kabul have very soon adjusted the new western styles of cloths and makeup. On the other hand, the other question that should be asked is what percentage of women is free to get education or work? Very few! There are still cities and villages where women are not authorised to come out of home. Of course, not because The Taliban would kill them, but because the “nonsense and irrational” old traditional mentality will be damaged.
The percentage of women who had some access to education and job are more successful today whereas the ones left behind the closed doors are regressed.
One of the well known saying ‘Today’s Daughter, Tomorrow’s Mother’ might remind us how important it is to concentrate on the education and success of women in general and particularly an Afghan woman. Leaving you with a thought of what can those meaningless traditions have given so far or what they will give us in the future, I ask all Afghan women to move forward in all possible fields and carry out their responsibilities towards their country.

Culture of Afghanistan

Culture of Afghanistan has been influenced by many aspects. For centuries Afghanistan has been used by invaders as their gateway to India and other central Asian countries. Afghanistan has been the part of several mighty and culturally empires, which left their legacy in the region. Rich and long cultural heritage has been left in Afghanistan by Greeks, Persians and Indians. Islam had its impact on Afghanistan culture. Islamic threads were left in the art, music, architecture and poetry of Afghanistan. Due to constant battles and wars the cultural assets of Afghanistan have blemished in recent days. Afghans are expert in embellishing their daily life articles with fine arts and calligraphy.

Loya Jirga (Pashto: لويه جرګه)

A Loya Jirga (Pashto: لويه جرګه) is a "grand assembly," a Pashto phrase meaning "grand council." A loya jirga is a political meeting usually used to choose new kings, adopt constitutions, or decide important political matters and disputes in Pashtuns areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the loya jirga was originally attended only by Pashtun groups, but later included other ethnic groups. It is a forum unique among Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan in which, traditionally, tribal elders meet together (although the Pashto Wazir tribe on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has a similar tribal governance structure.) The words loya (great/grand) and jirga ("council", "assembly", "dispute" or "meeting") are of Pashto Origin. The word Jirga is the one of primary concept of Afghan law, Afghanwali or famously known as Pashtunwali. Pukhtoonwali is the code of ethics of the Pashtoons, the Jirga their Parliament or National Assembly and intrepidity and frankness an essential trait of their character. The Afghan LOYA JIRGA as Platform of Pashtoonwali. Observing the salient features of Afghan society, the traditional Afghan “Jirga” and “Loya Jirga” come first in the traditional political solution and have been alive since the ancient Aryan period, The Pashtoons Social Democratic Party.

Afghani food

The traditional mode of eating in Afghanistan is on the floor. Everyone sits around on large colourful cushions, called toshak. These cushions are normally placed on the beautiful carpets, for which Afghanistan is famous. A large cloth or thin mat called a disterkhan is spread over the floor or carpet before the dishes of food are brought. Eating in afghanistan is an exciting and rich experience.Food has many different styles with thousands of great restaurants in all cities and towns in Afghanistan.Cuisine of all over the world can be found in Afghanistan.Including Asian,Indian,middle Eastern and other international tastes. Afghan cuisine is enriched with spices and rich aroma. Afghanistani cuisine is mainly influenced by that of Persia, India and Mongolia. Main ingredients are spices from India; mint, meat cookery, subzi from Persia and the noodles/ pasta from Mongolia. Afghani cuisine is flavored with garam masala, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, chilis, leeks, coriander, parsley, mint and black pepper. Pulao and Qabli puloao are famous dishes from Afghanistan. Vegetarian dishes are not so popular in Afghanistan. Due to environmental factors people take food rich in fat and protein.

Dry Fruit

Afghani meals Including Afghani walnuts, pine nuts, pasta, pickles, seasonings and spices. For the gourmet, there's an assortment of mountain mint, Basmati rice and Himalayan choi. We also have a complete . Afghanistani cuisine is mainly influenced by that of Persia, India and Mongolia. Taste of Afghanistan includes Afghani Naan, Kabuli Palow - afgani styled rice Palow, Aushok, Kebabs (Lamb, beef and chicken), sambosa, crispy triangle purses of fried pastries filled with ground beef and chickpeas. Mantu, Steamed dumplings fattened with minced onion beef, buranee-e-kadu or eggplant, chunks of fragrant butternut squash or eggplant topped with a dollop of creamy white yogurt and a spoonful of keema, a light meat sauce made with oil, chopped onion, ground beef and tomato puree, subzi or sautéed spinach delicately tempered with onion, salt and garlic. Afghani desserts are best taken with cups of not-so-strong but decent choi, Afghani black tea.

Poverty in Afghanistan

As one of the least developed countries on earth, Afghanistan faces many challenges in attaining its targets for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These include significant poverty, food insecurity and health risks, and what was once called "the worst education system in the world". In recognition of its special situation, the target date for the MDGs in Afghanistan has been put back from 2015 to 2020. Progress is under way in some areas of human development. Electronic media and traveling theatres are being used increasingly to deliver vital health and hygiene messages. School enrolment has increased from one to six million since 2001, though a combination of poorly qualified teachers, distance and security deter many children, especially girls and those in rural areas, from attending. Likewise, the goal of promoting gender equality and women's empowerment has been an important focus of attention. Recent years have witnessed the creation of a new Ministry of Women's Affairs, a Constitution that promotes non-discrimination, and a legislative assembly with 25% of the seats set aside for women. An interim National Action Plan for Women of Afghanistan was launched in spring 2006 to promote women's leadership and equality. Yet forced marriages, domestic violence and lack of social and political participation continue to hinder progress of women's issues. A concentrated effort to reduce disparities across different social groups and a focus beyond the major cities - coupled with continued international donor commitment - will be critical to the success of meeting the country's development goals. Progress on the MDGs is being fed into the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) (also known as the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper). The final ANDS was completed and approved by President Karzai in April 2008 and presented to the international community at the Paris donor conference in June.

Buzkashi

Buzkashi is one of the ancient games played in Afghanistan. Buzkashi literally means "goat killing" and the name was derived from hunting of mountain goats by champions on horseback. The game originated from the time of Chengis Khan, one of the rulers of medieval Afghanistan. Provinces of Maimana, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Quataghan are the most popular destinations for Buzkashi. Due to the religious belief women are not allowed to watch the game. There are mainly two types of BuzkashiPlayed Tudabarai & Qarajai.

Afghanistan Travel

Afghanistan is one of the finest tourist destinations and known for its dramatic mountain scenery and the unparalleled hospitality of its people. The country is covered with valleys and the beautiful mountain ranges dominate the landscape of Afghanistan. It contains some incredible treasures of the world. Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan comprises of Mazar-e Sharif & Northeastern Afghanistan is the home of most sacred site, Samangan. It is famous for caves and shrines of Takht-e Rostam, A hidden Buddhist gem.

Attraction That Still Lures the Tourists,

Minaret of Jam, and the Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley were both included in the World Heritage list by UNESCO. The Minaret of Jam, is a 65-meters high structure made in the twelfth century. The Bamiyan Valley on the other hand contains numerous Buddhist monasteries and shrines. The Bamiyan Valley is also testimony to the tragic destruction by the Taliban of the two giant standing Buddha statues, which shook the world in March 2001.

Afghanistan,

Afghanistan (which literally means land of the Afghan) is a mountainous land-locked country located in Central Asia. It has a history and culture that goes back over 5000 years. Throughout its long, splendid, and sometime chaotic history, this area of the world has been known by various names. In ancient time, its inhabitants called the land Aryana.In the medieval era, it was called khorasan, and in modern times, its people have decided to call it Afghanistan. The exact population of Afghanistan in unknown, however, it’s estimated to be somewhere around 31 million. Afghanistan is a heterogeneous nation, in which there are four major ethnic groups: Pashtoons, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks.Numerous other minor ethnic groups (Nuristanis, Baluchis, Turkmens, etc.) also call Afghanistan their home. While the majority of Afghans (99%) belong to Islamic faith, there are also small pockets of Sikhs, Hindus and even Jews.The official language of the country are Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian aka Farsi). The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul, which throughout history, was admired by many great figures, such as the great central Asia conqueror, Zahirudeen Babur.Unfortunately, due to many years of war, this great city has been shattered and nearly destroyed.Today Afghanistan is on a road to recovery, however, after decades of war, the economy is still in ruins, and its environment is a state of crises. After pushing the date back twice, Afghanistan’s presidential election were finally held on October 9, 2004. Over 8 million Afghan voted in the elections. The joint Electoral Management Body of Afghanistan certifies the elections on November 3rd, and declared Hamid Karzai, the interim President, the winner with 55.4 % of the votes. Karzai’s strongest challenger, Yunis Qanooni, came in 2nd with 16.3 % of the votes.With help from the United States and United Nations, Afghanistan adopted its new constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic Republic, in early January 2004.According to the constitution, the Afghanistan government consists of a powerful and popularly elected President, two vice presidents, and National Assembly consisting of two houses of people (Wolesi Jirga), and the House of Elders (Meshrano Jirga). There is also an independent Judiciary branch consisting of Supreme Court (Stera Mahkama), High Court and Appeal Court. The president appoints the member of the Supreme Court with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga. Assembly elections are planned for late 2005.Afghanistan in southwestern Asia bounded on the north by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan; on the east by china and part of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir controlled by Pakistan; on the south by Pakistan; and on the west by Iran.Afghanistan monarchy from 1747 to 1973, when the king was overthrown by military officer and the country was proclaimed a republic dissolved in 1992 as the country erupted in civil war. Afghanistan lays across ancient trade an invasion routes from central Asia into India. This position has been the greatest influence on its history because the invaders often settled there. Today the population includes many different ethnic groups.Most of the present borders of the country were drawn up in the 19th century, when Afghanistan became a buffer state, or neutral zone, between Russia and British India.Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Key Data,

Content: Asia

Region: Central Asia

Latitude: 033 00 N

Longitude: 065 00 E

Official Name: Islamic Republic of AfghanistanGovernment

Type: Islamic Republic

Population: 31,056,997 (July 2006 est)

Time Zone: UTC + 4:30

Currency: Afghani (AFG)

Area Total: 647,700 km2

Cost Line: 0 km (Land Locked)

Climate: Dry to semiarid, cold winter and hot summer

Language: Pashto, Pashtu or Pakhto number of speakers in approximately 14 million and Dari (Farsi) is spoken by almost every ethnic division, they are indo-European language and are the major two languages spoken in Afghanistan, other indo-European, Indo-Aryan languages such as Balochi, Pashyi and Eastern Farsi, are also spoken, Turkic and Altaic languages, such as Uzbek and Turkmen, are present Tajiki is also used.

Afghani Currency

Rate: 1 USD = 50

AFG Independent Day: 19 August

Fiscal year: 21 March 20 March

Internet Domain: af

Dialing Code: +93

Administrative Divisions: 34 Provinces

Boundaries

Pakistan: 2,430 km

Tajikistan: 1,206 km

Iran: 936 km

Turkmenistan: 744 km

Uzbekistan: 137 km

China: 76 km

Total: 5,529 km

Ethnic Division

Pashton: 35 %

Tajik: 27 %

Hazara: 19 %

Uzbek: 6 %

Aimak: 4 %

Turkmen: 3 %

Baloch: 2 %

Others: 4 %

ReligionsSunni Muslim: 88 %

Shi`a Muslim: 11 %

Others: 1 %

Afghanistan is one of the Heaviest Mined Countries

Afghanistan has suffered greatly from war since 1978, and all sides to the various armed conflicts have used antipersonnel mines, particularly Soviet forces and the Afghan government from 1979 to 1992.Landmines have been planted indiscriminately over most of the country. Agricultural farms, grazing areas, irrigation canals, residential areas, roads and footpaths, both in urban and rural areas, are contaminated. Mines are a major obstacle to repatriation, relief, rehabilitation and development activities. Afghanistan is one of the heaviest mined countries in the world. In spite of eight years of intensive mine clearance, in 1999 only 146 square kilometers of mined area have been cleared. An area of 713 square kilometers remains to be cleared. Landmines kill or maim an estimated ten to twelve people each day in Afghanistan. It is believed that almost 50 percent of landmine victims die due to lack of medical facilities. Key developments since May 2001: Afghanistan has experienced dramatic political, military, and humanitarian changes. The cabinet approved Afghanistan’s accession to the Mine Ban Treaty on 29 July 2002 and the following day the Minister of Foreign Affairs signed the instrument of accession on behalf of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan. Mine action operations were virtually brought to a halt following 11 September 2001. The mine action infrastructure suffered greatly during the subsequent military conflict, as some warring factions looted offices, seized vehicles and equipment, and assaulted local staff. Four deminers and two mine detection dogs were killed in errant U.S. air strikes. Military operations created additional threats to the population, especially unexploded U.S. cluster bomblets and ammunition scattered from storage depots hit by air strikes, as well as newly laid mines and booby-traps by Northern Alliance, Taliban, and Al-Qaeda fighters. A funding shortfall for the mine action program in Afghanistan prior to 11 September 2001 had threatened to again curtail mine action operations. But since October 2001, about $64 million has been pledged to mine action in Afghanistan. By March 2002, mine clearance, mine survey, and mine risk education operations had returned to earlier levels, and have since expanded beyond 2001 levels.In 2001, mine action NGOs surveyed approximately 14.7 million square meters of mined areas and 80.8 million square meters of former battlefield area, and cleared nearly 15.6 million square meters of mined area and 81.2 million square meters of former battlefields. Nearly 730,000 civilians received mine risk education. A total of 16,147 antipersonnel mines, 1,154 antivehicle mines, and 328,398 UXO were destroyed. In all of these activities, 95 to 99 percent of the actions were completed prior to 11 September 2001.

When you think Afghanistan,

Imagine

Where 20 years of war has totally crippled the economy, and you must try to somehow survive day-by-day by scrounging enough food to feed your children. Where people do not have the facilities to receive an education. Where people do not have the facilities to receive treatment at hospitals. Where, on average, men die at 40 years of age and women at 43. Where hundreds of thousands of people are maimed, disabled, or blind because of war and land mines. Where you face a high chance of becoming blind or crippled because of the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, causing vitamin deficiency. If you are blind or crippled, no one can help you because those that are not blind or crippled need help as well.

THE LAND:

Afghanistan is known for its mountainous terrain. The huge Hindu Kush mountains form a barrier between the Northern provinces and the rest of the country. This mountain range has also divided Afghanistan in three very different geographic regions known as; The Central Highlands, The Northern Plains, and the Southwestern Plateau. The altitude, climate, and soil condition in Afghanistan varies greatly on where in the country you are.

THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS:

The central highlands have an area of about 160,000 square miles. This region of Afghanistan has deep, narrow valleys, as well as high mountains which have proven to be historically important to the defense of the country. One of the most famous routs to the Indian subcontinent, The Khyber Pass, is located in the mountain ranges of the central highlands. The climate in this part of Afghanistan is usually dry, with temperatures in the summer averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winters are very cold. The soil in this region ranges from desert-steppe, to meadow-steppe types.

THE SOUTHERN PLATEAU:

This region of Afghanistan is made up of high plateaus and sandy deserts. The soil here is very infertile, except along the rivers in the southwest. This desolate region covers about 50,000 square miles, and is crossed by several large rivers including the Helmand. The average altitude of this area is about 3,000 feet. Kandahar, which lies at an elevation of about 3,500 feet, enjoys a dry, yet mild climate. Sand storms are not unusual in the deserts and arid plains of this region.
THE NORTHERN PLAINS: This region of Afghanistan covers about 40,000 square miles of extremely fertile foothills and plains. The Amu River (formerly known as the Oxus) runs through the edge of the foothills. The average elevation is about 2,000 feet. A tremendous amount of the country's agriculture thrives here. This region also possesses a vast amount of mineral deposits and natural gas.