Afghan women play major role in ‘freedom of speech’

NAI-Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan declares that the freedom of speech is meaningless in absence of women in Afghanistan.

“The freedom of speech is both for men and women. There would be no freedom of speech without women,” Abdul Mujib Khelwatgar, CEO of NAI said.

Afghanistan has witnessed incredible change since the turn of the century and the latest phase of the Afghan women development is being documented and contested on the social media.

The country constitutions have granted women equal rights with men since 1923.

Women got the right to vote with the 1964 constitution. The 1977 constitution, promulgated by a pro-communist government, said that “the entire people of Afghanistan, women and men, without discrimination have equal rights and obligations before the law.”

Although progress on women’s rights in Afghanistan was undeniably slow, the government had no national policy on women’s rights — indeed, it was itself hardly a viable government, as infighting among different factions led to a complete breakdown of order.

Meanwhile, A number of civil activists say that the freedom of speech and human rights should not be victimized for brining peace and reconciling with armed oppositions groups.

The ministry of information and culture has also announced support for women in terms of freedom of speech.

The decrees of the Taliban government regarding the status and rights of women won them no favor with anyone —  not even the conservative Islamic governments.