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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Women silenced in Afghanistan - banned from phones and media

91 replies

ArabellaScott · 26/02/2024 17:26

https://rukhshana.com/en/women-and-girls-restricted-from-media-phone-calls-in-khost-province

'The Taliban police headquarters in Khost province issued a written directive Saturday to the media, declaring a ban on any phone contact between women and girls with audio and visual media outlets.
According to the statement, media officials are warned that facilitating phone contact between girls and media outlets will result in summoning and pursuit.
The directive accuses some private radio stations in Khost province of promoting moral corruption, citing school lessons and social programs involving girls as a primary example.'

Women and girls restricted from media phone calls in Khost Province – Rukhshana Media

The Taliban police headquarters in Khost province issued a written directive Saturday to the media, declaring a ban on any phone contact between women and girls with audio and visual media outlets.

https://rukhshana.com/en/women-and-girls-restricted-from-media-phone-calls-in-khost-province

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DuesToTheDirt · 26/02/2024 20:46

I've quoted this on here before. From Christopher Alexander, "A Carpet Ride to Khiva", on visiting Kandahar:

This complete separation of the sexes seemed to benefit no one, and I struggled to understand it. ‘You have to stop thinking of men and women as the same species,’ I was told. ‘Women are like sheep and men are like wolves. Everyone knows that it is in the nature of sheep to be led astray and that sheep make a tasty meal. You never trust sheep – what a notion! – nor do you leave your sheep unguarded, because men are like wolves and the nature of a wolf, given the chance, is to prey upon unguarded sheep. If sheep and wolves freely mingled together, it would lead only to bloodshed.’

So, blaming the men for the problem, but dealing with it by restricting the women rather than the men.

ArabellaScott · 26/02/2024 20:41

'There are 3 key challenges: Women working in independent journalism - this is now considered a crime in Afghanistan; Access to information - sharing news about women is prohibited and the Taliban control the media; Leading Rukshana from exile to deliver news from inside Afghanistan. We believe the outlook for the life of women in Afghanistan now looks gloomier than ever. Rukhshana Media feels a heavy responsibility on its shoulders but is committed to continue its work.'

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ArabellaScott · 26/02/2024 20:40

For anyone moved to do so, the website Rukhshana Media is looking for support. See button in top right of the article.

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bringbacktheladiesloos · 26/02/2024 20:36

the 'common threat' being what though @Garlickit ?

Garlickit · 26/02/2024 20:26

moral corruption, citing school lessons and social programs

The absolute bastards. The Quran and several hadith promote education, knowledge and intellectual curiosity for both sexes. Learning is the direct opposite of "morally corrupt" under Islam. It also doesn't prohibit women speaking to men, which the directive seems to claim with its censure of girls talking to a radio show host.

It certainly doesn't rule against women speaking to each other - there is debate over whether women's voices may be heard in public (!) so the patriarchs seem to have decreed that sending your voice over invisible, inaudible radio waves is 'public'.

Sadly, @bringbacktheladiesloos, I don't think they're afraid of women. All the religious restrictions on women are based on men's 'fear' of their own sexuality, supposedly. The more likely motive, however, is the othering of half the population. As they grant all men increasing power over women, they boost the men's self-esteem and unite them against a common threat 😡

Is a Woman's Voice 'Awrah'?

The issue of women\'s voices in front of non-Mahram in Islam has been a source of discussion and debate in the Islamic juristic circle. Many Islamic scholars have debated whether women\'s voices should be heard publicly, and if so, under what circumsta...

https://en.islamonweb.net/is-a-womans-voice-awrah

SocksShmocks · 26/02/2024 20:13

Women and girls in Afghanistan (and the boys and good men, but especially the women and girls) are often on my mind. But what can I really do to help? It feels so hopeless 😞

PurpleBugz · 26/02/2024 20:10

What a horrible world this is

fabricstash · 26/02/2024 19:59

Heartbreaking

Forester1 · 26/02/2024 19:40

It’s beyond awful

bringbacktheladiesloos · 26/02/2024 18:55

Men really are terrified of women having a voice aren't they.

Why are they so scared of us?

ArabellaScott · 26/02/2024 18:43

Linda Norgrove Foundation is worth a look.

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FlirtsWithRhinos · 26/02/2024 18:36

PriOn1 · 26/02/2024 18:24

Horrendous. It worries me that women’s rights around the world are going into reverse and the imbalance of power means that there is so little we can do to influence what will happen. Those poor women.

What can we do? Can anyone recommend any charities helping Afghan women I can donate to? Even Genderwoo captured ones if they are in a position to make a diference.

Slothtoes · 26/02/2024 18:26

This is terrifying.

PriOn1 · 26/02/2024 18:24

Horrendous. It worries me that women’s rights around the world are going into reverse and the imbalance of power means that there is so little we can do to influence what will happen. Those poor women.

ArabellaScott · 26/02/2024 17:42

That website looks quite informative on Afghanistan, I hadn't seen it before.

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MrsOvertonsWindow · 26/02/2024 17:29

Unbelievable and terrifying for women.