As part of their ongoing mission to mobilise men for feminist peace, WILPF and the MenEngage Alliance, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, co-hosted a screening of the documentary “Power on Patrol: the Making and Unmaking of Militarised Masculinities in Afghanistan” at the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), followed by a panel discussion. The film explores the intersection of masculinity and the ‘war system’ in Afghanistan and how Afghan men, in particular male ulemas, are working with WILPF women activists for gender equality and sustainable feminist peace.
Below are the main takeaways from the panel discussion:
- A feminist systems approach is crucial in challenging militarised masculinities
In his opening remarks Laxman Belbase outlined the importance of a “feminist systems approach” in transforming patriarchal systems and challenging militarised masculinities around the world. Working with men and boys, so often viewed as part of the problem, is vital, he added, as they are a crucial part of the solution to the crisis we are facing and should play a meaningful and accountable role in advancing a feminist agenda for equality and justice.
- Establishing the WILPF Afghanistan male alliances network – 6,000 imams trained in 22 provinces
Asked for her reflections on the film, Jamila Afghani , the President of WILPF Afghanistan, revealed it was “really emotional for me” and explained how her personal experience of growing up in a very conservative family in Afghanistan taught her that for women to see real change they must “have the support of male members of our families and male colleagues in our offices and also the support of influential males in any context – in political, social and economic spheres of life.” It is for this reason she has long sought support from influential religious scholars and leaders in her mission to work for feminist peace .
“I was able to train 6000 imams from 22 Provinces in Afghanistan and through the Mobilising Men for Feminist Peace programme , I have established a network of male allies and many wonderful men inside and outside of Afghanistan are supporting us.”
Jamila Afghani
- We will not surrender to the will of the Taliban…because we are not alone
Under the current Taliban regime, which “does not believe in humanity, women’s rights or human rights,” the situation has deteriorated dramatically, Jamila continued, with Afghan women and girls once again “imprisoned in their homes and not allowed to go to school or work outside” and many have no male breadwinners to support them.
“We are not going to surrender to the will of the Taliban , we will continue our struggle from different platforms, different areas, from inside Afghanistan, from outside Afghanistan because we are not alone. We have wonderful friends, international friends, our Afghan sisters and Afghan brothers who are standing with us in solidarity.”
Jamila Afghani
- It is our responsibility to continue amplifying women’s? voices in Afghanistan
Hareer Hashim, who tells both her own story and reveals the social and structural impact of militarised masculinities on Afghanistan in the documentary, said she was “ blessed” to have a father who always supported her education. Fleeing the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover in 2021, she faced many challenges accepting her “new reality”.
Hareer Hashim
“Being Afghan has taught me that you have to persevere. Those of us that are fortunate enough to flee alive, I think it is our responsibility to continue amplifying the voices of those that are inside of Afghanistan and are still dealing directly with this militarised regime.”
Hareer Hashim
- Afghanistan was sold
Visibly moved after watching the documentary, Dr Faramarz Jahanbeen shared his personal experience of being attacked and shot by two gunmen in Afghanistan, and of the trauma he and his family experienced at having to flee the country with just four hours notice after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
“We really didn’t have the intention to leave our homeland, it was like the situation where a person puts a gun on your forehead and tells you to leave.”
Dr. Faramarz Jahanbeen
Having left everything behind, they spent almost seven months in a camp in Abu Dhabi, despite being assured they would spend just 15 days there before being flown to the USA.
Afghanistan was “sold intentionally based on a contract or a deal,” he said. “We had a strong government, strong army, and were fully equipped. We had everything, but they didn’t use those resources to defend. So that’s why I say, I still believe that Afghanistan was sold.”
- Sharia – As feminists, how can we utilise the tool always used against us?
Stressing the importance of both heighenting women’s awareness about their rights and changing the “mentality and male mindset that has occupied the society,” Jamila shared insights into her approach. “I was thinking as a feminist, how can we utilise the tool which is always used against us? Sharia has been used against women’s rights in Afghanistan.”
She explained how, when facing strong resistance from a local imam, she challenged him at a community meeting. When she began reciting verses from the Hadith, “the imam realised that my knowledge of Islam may be a bit higher than his knowledge and he found himself in a difficult situation.” As a result, the imam began supporting her work. As others followed, Jamila gradually began utilising the power of those imams to convince other imams still in opposition.
- The international community is damaging the existence of Afghan girls and women
With international sanctions and “donors restraining themselves from helping and supporting Afghan people inside the country,” Jamila continued, “the way the Taliban is damaging Afghan girls and women, in the same way international communities, especially NATO, especially the USA are also damaging the existence of Afghan girls and women and I hope that we practically show our solidarity by standing beside the women of Afghanistan, not only by tweets, not only by some messages. Practically there is a need of extending hands of help and support for them. “
Answering a question from the audience, Jamila said she thought the international community should change their mindset from thinking about the Taliban to thinking about the people of Afghanistan. She stated funding could be used as leverage to ensure a greater share is guaranteed to go to women’s organisations and initiatives.
“We always tend to find excuses or some sort of reasons as to why we cannot contribute enough. And with each new crisis Afghanistan is going lower in the interest of the international community. My only request as an Afghan would be to continue talking about this. Not only talking about this but doing something about it.”
Hareer Hashim
Watch ‘Power on Patrol: The Making and Unmaking of Militarised Masculinities in Afghanistan’
