September 19, 1999 - Note from the Editor: Hmm, let's see... Since we are the "indispensable nation" we assert our greatness and impose our will upon distant lands such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, or East Timor (as long as the Indonesian oligarchy keeps its prized possessions), but quickly become entangled in impossible situations--or simply bored. After all, having made our money in the arms trade and infrastructure destruction that our contractors will gladly be paid to rebuild with our tax dollars, another football season is on the horizon. Hey, isn't the stock market booming? Time for a new SUV... Meanwhile, we leave behind the makings of fundamentalist regimes and, in between a couple of sanctimonious beers--make it a Bud, buddy--keep praying for world peace. Amen.

Another year, another Miss America pageant. In this country, women have the right to flaunt their big hair, big breasts and big smiles and big talents on national television. Fortunately, we all have the right to ignore it. For a peek at Miss America 2000, see http://www.missamerica.org/2000/miss2000.html.

To voice your objection to such pageants, you can contact the Miss America Organization, the television networks, and the pageant sponsors. Perhaps some time in the future, women won't dream of competing on their looks, and we won't consider judging them accordingly.

On the far end of the spectrum of women being valued as objects, or, in this case, valued as worthless objects, lies Afghanistan. For a peek at how women are forced to dress in public, see http://www.now.org/nnt/fall-98/global.html.

The National Organization for Women compiled the following fact sheet on women and girls in Afghanistan:

Did you know that 9 million Afghan women and girls have no human rights?

• Women and girls are forbidden to go to school or work outside of the home.
• Women and girls may not leave their homes without a male relative.
• Women are forced to wear a head-to-toe covering called a "burqa" with only a small mesh opening through which to breathe and see.
• Women have been beaten and killed for not being properly covered or escorted.
• The windows of homes occupied by women must be painted to prevent women from being seen.
• Health care for Afghan women and girls is virtually non-existent since male doctors may not care for female patients.
• Women are forbidden from speaking in public.
• Pubescent girls and women are prohibited from speaking to males who are not close relatives.

How did this happen?

• On September 27, 1996, the Taliban, an extremist militia claiming to be Islamic fundamentalists, seized power in a violent takeover of the government.
• The Taliban government instituted its sexist policy under the guise of religious observance.

Before the Taliban takeover, Afghan women were:

• 60% of teachers at Kabul University
• 50% of students at Kabul University
• 50% of civilian the government workforce
• 70% of school teachers
• 40% of doctors

The Taliban is fundamentally wrong!

• The Taliban government's persecution in the name of religion is false. Their laws against women and girls have no foundation in Islam. Islamic religions around the world allow women and girls to work, go to school and have basic human rights.
• While the Taliban claims religious purity, Afghanistan grows 40% of the world's opium supply. Since the Taliban's takeover, opium production has increased 25%.

The attacks against women and girls are bad for everybody!

• There has been a devastating effect on tens of thousands of families because many women in Afghanistan are widows and were the sole source of income for their families.
• Since women are prohibited from working, many schools have been closed down because of a teacher shortage.

Some day, this too may pass. In the meantime, we cannot just choose to ignore it. To voice your objection to the treatment of women under the Taliban government's rule, please contact the following:

Madeleine Albright
State Department
2201 C St. NW
Washington, DC. 20520
202-647-6575
secretary@state.gov

United Nations Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY. 10017-3505
212-415-4404
usaun@undp.org

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