"The Killing of Women Is Like Killing a Bird Today in Afghanistan"

Q&A: "The Killing of Women Is Like Killing a Bird Today in Afghanistan"
Stephen de Tarczynski interviews Afghan women’s rights activist MALALAI JOYA

"The same crimes are happening, repeating now under the name of democracy"

Credit:Stephen de Tarczynski/IPS

MELBOURNE, Jul 13 (IPS) - It is easy to understand why epithets such as brave and courageous often accompany the name of Malalai Joya. Slight of stature and serenely demure, the young Afghan woman’s past and present encapsulate the plight of her countrywomen.

Malalai Joya returned to Afghanistan in 1998 - she had spent most of her life until then in refugee camps in Iran and Pakistan - as an underground volunteer educator of girls, a decidedly dangerous and difficult role given that the hardline Taliban were in power.

She came to the world’s attention in 2003 when, at a constitutional convention attended by Afghanistan’s leaders, she publicly accused many of those present of being war criminals, drug lords and supporters of the Taliban.

Joya continued to speak out against fellow parliamentarians following her election to the national assembly in 2005. While her outspoken views have gained much support both inside Afghanistan and internationally, Joya has also created powerful enemies.

She remains suspended from parliament for being openly critical of fellow MPs and has survived several assassination attempts.

In Australia to promote her book 'Raising My Voice', Joya, still just 31, met with IPS writer Stephen de Tarczynski to discuss the position of women in her country. The following are extracts from the interview.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47629

Is there anything more insane than patriarchy's organized religion--???