Emma Watson’s UN Campaign Inspires Afghan Men to Stand Up for Women

Fourteen years after the fall of the Taliban, women in Afghanistan continue to suffer oppression, discrimination, harassment, forced marriage, and abuse. According to a Global Rights study, 87% of women in the war-torn country experience physical, sexual or psychological violence during their lifetime. Women’s rights activists continue to get persecuted, not only by the Taliban and tribal warlords, but also by government officials. Although women are participating in the economy; winning elections; and joining the National Police; the Afghan society remains male dominated, where women are only taught to listen and obey orders.

To initiate change and to persuade more and more Afghan men to take a stand for women’s rights, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) along with local activists, government officials, and foreign dignitaries launched the HeForShe campaign in Afghanistan on 16 June 2015, with the slogan “A brave man stands for women.”

#heforshe #afghanistan #men engaged for #genderequality #actor #change https://t.co/Bz3qbqDD4C

— Womenability (@womenability) August 9, 2016

HeForShe has been successful in convincing men around the world including world leaders, actors and authors to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls – thanks partly to actor and UN goodwill ambassador Emma Watson. Emma launched the campaign in United States in October 2014, with a formal invitation to men and boys to fight against sexism around the world because “gender equality is a men’s issue too.” In less than two years, while over 900,000 men and boys have pledged to work for gender equality in their daily lives, only about 900 are from Afghanistan.

Today’s youth are #Afghanistan’s future. #YouthDay #HeForShe @MaroWardak pic.twitter.com/cHnQuKPe9I

— Karen Pierce (@KarenPierce22) August 13, 2015

The event in Kabul was attended by a sympathetic crowd of about 250, but the campaign has a loftier goal of acquiring signatures from 3,000 Afghan men and boys. Calling on Afghan men and boys to sign up and fight for feminism and women’s rights in their communities, UN Women’s Country Representative in Afghanistan Elzira Sagynbaeva remarked:

 “Identifying the status of women in Afghanistan a paradox; on one hand, Afghan women are highly valued for their role in binding families together, while on the other hand, their rights are undermined by harmful traditional practices. While many of these practices are carried out under the pretext of safeguarding the honor of women and girls, standing strong for the rights of mothers, sisters, wives and daughters is the true way to demonstrate honor.

“The HeForShe campaign is a solidarity movement that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all.  Afghan men and boys have shed blood for freedom, and have shown great courage and bravery for their motherland. This is another call for honoring justice. The HeForShe campaign calls upon your courage to pledge your commitment in championing this movement within your personal and professional circles and taking action to promote gender equality.”

Great to see so many female students supported by male relatives. #Afghanistan #YouthDay #HeForShe @MaroWardak pic.twitter.com/rf6TFRpBAY

— Karen Pierce (@KarenPierce22) August 13, 2015

The goal of HeForShe campaign in Afghanistan is to engage local students, elders and religious teachers to raise awareness and convey the global message that gender equality cannot be truly achieved without the involvement of men. To initiate deep institutional and cultural changes, the UN plans to roll out the campaign in five other provinces: Balkh, Herat, Bamiyan, Nangarhar and Kandahar.

“A lot of the problems that women face in this country arise from how we men look at society. That mindset has to change, and it comes from men. It’s a problem of men that should be solved by men. Women are just the victims. Unless we men change ourselves and the way we view women, we won’t be able to bring fundamental changes,” observed Barry Salaam, a prominent activist.

Impressive student testifies against gender violence in #Afghanistan. My #HeForShe number is 1312066 – what’s yours? pic.twitter.com/1gLjckx4qi

— Dominic Jermey (@HMAJermey) July 26, 2016

The HeForShe campaign in Afghanistan – which often ranks as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for women – was rolled out three months after the death of Farkhunda, a 27-year-old-woman who was viciously beaten to death and set on fire by a mob in the streets of Kabul. This occurred after being falsely accused of burning the Quran. Farkhunda’s murder has since become a symbol of discrimination of Afghan women and their lack of legal protection.

Female governor tries to empower Afghan #women @AJENews https://t.co/cn1mdgTcxj #Afghanistan #gender #HeForShe

— Aron Thyr (@AronThyr) November 14, 2015

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