Salam Alikom, would you like to help my research on Pashtun Women?

[Tamara]

Hello Everyone, I'm new here and would love to take the time to get to know people, make new friends and understand more about the Pashtun community. I am a university student in England studying Anthropology and am currently carrying out a research project on clothing and identities of Pashtun women, I am particularly interested in attitudes towards religious clothing also. I am fascinated by the Pashtun culture and history as a result of the people I have met over the last twelve months. If anyone would be interested in talking to me online and answering some of my questions I would be so very grateful. There doesn't need to be any personal details exchanged so don't worry about that . I would really love to share my research with you guys and would really, really, appreciate anyone talking to me about anything really.

So hello brothers and sisters, I hope to get to know some of you!

Tamara.

[Manzareh]

Hello, what interests you about Pashtuns? And please share some of the aspects of your research

[Badlun]

Most Welcome to the Forums
Please clarify the following points before we have some useful discussion

You want to understand more about the Pashtun community in England or or Pashtun Society as a whole with reference to Pashtun culture and Pashtunwali?
What do you mean by a research project on clothing and identities of Pashtun women? Do you consider clothing as a parameter of identity or yiu want to conduct research on other identities of Pashtun women beyond clothing? Do you differentiate clothing and dress and purdah/veil or all the same to you?

Please further clarify what do you mean by attitudes towards religious clothing. Do you think that all Pashtun women are like catholic nuns who have a special kind of religious dress? By attitudes you mean attitude of Pashtun women towards their dress or attitudes of others towards the dress of Pashtun women?

Can you share at the outset abstract of your research here? Any list of literature cited , out lines of research or introduction.

[Tamara]

Hello, what interests you about Pashtuns? And please share some of the aspects of your research

From the few people I have met and become friends with I am overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity as well as their dedication to Islam - of course I cannot assume all people are like this, but the ones I have met are. I have been fortunate enough to witness a Pashtun wedding and I found it to be really quite beautiful, the dancing was awesome. So generally, what interests me the most is the culture and the attitudes of the people as it is quite different yet similar to my own background which is Moroccan. Of course, I cannot say that I know everything there is to know about the Pashtun community which is why I am here and looking for people who will give me an even deeper insight.

My research will be primarily based on attitudes towards fashion, clothing (particularly religious) and female identity. Many of the people I have met wear what some may call 'conservative' wear, e.g. abayas, Burka, hijab etc but they seem to wear it differently, that is, some customize them or pick more 'trendy' styles with embroidery, colours or jewels while others don't agree with doing that. It was really this different that I wanted to get to terms with and understand what clothing means to women and how they use it to form identities, be it religious or not. Of course there are other women who choose not to wear these garments and wear 'western' clothes, I'm interested in hearing their perspective too.

Excuse my essay...I could talk about this all day!

[Tamara]

Most Welcome to the Forums
Please clarify the following points before we have some useful discussion

You want to understand more about the Pashtun community in England or or Pashtun Society as a whole with reference to Pashtun culture and Pashtunwali?
What do you mean by a research project on clothing and identities of Pashtun women? Do you consider clothing as a parameter of identity or yiu want to conduct research on other identities of Pashtun women beyond clothing? Do you differentiate clothing and dress and purdah/veil or all the same to you?

Please further clarify what do you mean by attitudes towards religious clothing. Do you think that all Pashtun women are like catholic nuns who have a special kind of religious dress? By attitudes you mean attitude of Pashtun women towards their dress or attitudes of others towards the dress of Pashtun women?

Can you share at the outset abstract of your research here? Any list of literature cited , out lines of research or introduction.

I want to conduct research to assess basically how, if at all, Pashtun women do use clothing as a means, not the only way of course, but a means of constructing identity. The more I talk to people, I might find that clothing is completely irrelevant, which is fine, but of course this is what I am trying to investigate and I won't know that until I speak to more people. As I've mention in the post below, the few Pashtun girls I do know all wear religious garments e.g, burka, abaya, hijab, and they all have different attitudes to how they should be worn - e.g. is it correct to customize them to fit with fashions or does that defeat the purpose of wearing hijab for instance. I do not of course assume all Pashtun women do wear religious clothing and I am interested to hear their perspectives as well on clothing, identity and generally being a women in a Pashtun community. I don't want to limit my findings by saying I'm only interested in what I think might be important, I want people to talk to me and freely tell me about their thoughts so no I will not be differentiating or limiting different types of clothing. If there are many women who choose to wear 'western' clothing, 'islamic' clothing, the pashima shawl, kaftans whatever, what is important is that I find out what clothing is important from the people themselves.

With regards to reading, I have various texts by Emma Tarlo and Saba Mahmood- two writers that focus on the meaning of dress and identity in Muslim contexts. Along with others, which I can cite later on when I have more time. If it would be helpful, I can submit a copy of my research proposal that I wrote before I could complete the assignment to give you perhaps a clearer idea of what I'm really trying to get at. (It also contains my preliminary bibliography)

[Badlun]

I am really happy that you are conducting your research on dress issues of Pashtun women. Pashtun women do have some particularities as more than 90% of them have to cover even their face. Pashtuns as a whole are unfortunately are now the champions of the extremist Islam.

I would like to share one article I wrote on the status of Pashtun women with some paras on issue of dress code of Pashtun women.

Pashtun woman, a challenge to the conscience of the Humanity and human rights groups.

The status of Pashtun woman in this modern era is challenge to the humanity as a whole and the human rights groups specially. Status of Pashtun women is worse then that of a dog. Because a dog has liberty to move around but a Pashtun woman has to pass her whole house in the prison of the four walls of her house, even a dog has fundamental freedom of movement but a Pashtun woman has none!

I practically see that 95% of Pashtun women in Pakistan and Afghanistan pass their whole life within the limits of their houses, the only exceptions is that when they go to hospitals or relatives homes, many times fully covered and accompanied by a male guardian. Is it a life worthy to lead? Why about 30 millions Pashtun women are socially imprisoned.

There are many other rights like inheritance which must be given to Pashtun women. That with modern education the things are changing but I think once the Pashtun women have the basic right of free movement then they can go to universities and colleges and can participate in social events freely not necessarily under the command of their male Guardians .We must treat Pashtun women as human beings equal to men not a dependent on their men whether husbands, fathers, brothers or sons.

Let’s start a movement to liberate the 30 million Pashtun women who are prisoners in their own homes. They are born within the 4 walls and die within the 4 walls of their houses. They are sentenced with life time imprisonment. How can we liberate Pashtun women from this life time imprisonment? Let’s think and act in the right direction.

For ameliorating the status of Pashtun woman we have to take start from the scratch, from zero. We have to do some thing to take out Pashtun woman from the quagmire they have been fallen by so called Pashtun traditions, Pashtun society, Pashtun chauvinist men and false ideas and wrongly interpreted injunctions of religion and dictates of mullahs.

Some friends think that Pashtuns as a whole, both men and women are downtrodden so talking only of women is not justified.

I agree that Pashtuns as a nation, as a race, both men and women are suffering. We don’t have a single Nobel Prize holder, a single world level scientist or technologist, or philosopher or scholar etc. Yes we have suicide bombers, terrorists, Taliban, dacoits, robbers, all negative, nothing positive.

But here the theme of this article is even the worse status of women, who don’t have the basic right of movement and expression. We have to break their chains; men at least have these rights. They are economically better than women. Women totally depend on their men partners socially and economically. Situation of Pashtun women is many times worse than Pashtun men.

All of us have great ideas for the development and improvement of the status of Pashtun women but what remains is the implementation strategy. How to implement all these ideas. Charity begins at home. Let’s start from our sisters, mothers, wives, daughters, cousins, friends etc and then to expand the sphere of influence to other sectors of society. Education especially modern education and democracy are the excellent panaceas for all the ills of the Pashtun women.

We must launch a campaign against all kinds of obscurantist and fundamentalist Mullahs, Taliban and their Madrassas specially the extremist Deobandi ,Wahabi , Ahle Hadith and Salafi ones.

However the best struggle can be through peaceful means, by education, internet, youth societies, encouraging Pashtun women and men by various motivational means to understand the dilapidated status of Pashtun women in Pashtun society and adopt all ways and means to change this horrible status of Pashtun women.

Our focus should be Pashtun woman, not Pakistani woman or Muslim woman. We must think on the status of Pashtun woman whether she is in Pakistan or Afghanistan or anywhere else because Pashtun woman on account of the lethal combination of Pashtunwali and so called extremist Islam is suffering because of the traditions and tenets which are barbaric, inhuman, cruel and demonic.

There is a dire need of launching of an awareness campaign that Pashtun woman first must understand their position where they are. Then take steps to improve the situation in such a way that the traditional family system remains undisturbed but woman starts enjoying their fundamental rights of choice, expression and movement and education.

Government, Taliban and Mullahs Islam -all these may be some of the reasons of the downtrodden condition of Pashtun woman but for me the amalgam of Pashtunwali and the traditional Islam of Taliban and Mullahs is the biggest cause and on these two fronts we have to fight to improve the status of woman in Pashtun society .

On religious front there is a need of reformation and telling the Pashtun woman that they can participate in day to day activities like the wives of the Prophet and his companions. On Pashtunwali front we have to educate our Pashtun men that Pashtun woman is not the sole depositary for his honor and Pashtunwali. If his wife, sister, mother, or daughter goes around and does some business, participates in social , political and economic or educational activities or even religious activity like going to mosques, then its not the end of the world. He should not feel mortified that his woman is talking to others or doing business with others and that this is against his, honor, ghairat or Pashtunwali.

Pashtun woman is equally an independent Pashtun. A Pashtun man and Pashtun woman should deal each other on equality basis, not one superior or inferior to other ,like a perfect pair based on mutual respect, love and understanding not a boss and subordinate relationship.

I wish that all the Pashtun women are liberated from the prison of their houses with the honor of Pashtunwali but with their liberty of movement and expression and economic activities.

I need comments, feed back from Pashtun sisters and brothers that how can we liberate millions of Pashtun women from their jails in the shape of their homes. Is it possible to start a Pashtun women movement for liberating them from the clutches of their male masters, enabling them to move freely , to get education where they want and join jobs where they wish.

How can we further control this wave of Talibanization who are bent upon destroying girls’ schools in many Pashtun lands? Can we do any thing or we should leave Pashtun women at the mercy of these barbaric wolves

Pragmatism with idealism and realism with vision and imagination should be used to solve all problems and in this context the solution to the Problems of Pashtun women lies in the panacea of great ideas of democracy with its implementation in all social and political spheres and the implementation of the philosophical concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity by modern education and religious reformation and reinterpretation. We must take start from own families, homes, villages, towns, cities and countries to bring a positive change in the status of Pashtun woman.
Pashtun women dress is an important issue. More than 90 % Pashtun women even can’t show their faces in public. They have to cover their whole body like we cover a corpse in coffin. Saudi Arabia and Pashtun areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Pashtunland) are the only two examples even in Muslim world where women are obliged to cover their faces. This is a clear absurdity, an extreme stupidity in this modern era that you don’t let a human being even not to show her face.

However we should avoid extremes of shuttle cock burkas and mini skirts. If a Pashtun woman is a professional lady , if she is intelligent, if she is knowledgeable, if she is intellectual and she is Pashtun by race and by practice , she speaks Pashto, she writes Pashto , she teaches Pashto to her children - all these are important , not how she lives, where she lives , she wears skirt or paint shirt or kamees partug -these are non essential for me ,-however we should avoid both the extremes-mini skirt and shuttle cock burKa are two extremes , we should find a middle way especially when a Pashtun woman live in Pashtunland till the time comes when dress does not remain an important issue as we see now a days in modern developed world of Europe, America etc.

Marriage of Pashtun woman is also an important issue. Specially the early marriages, the purely arranged marriages etc. However the religious aspect of marriage of Pashtun men or women with Muslims or non Muslims is not my concern. Its some body individual right how to marry and where to marry. My main concern is the social, legal and economic situation of Pashtun women.

We should admit that Pashtun women have lots of social, legal and economic problems .We have to liberate Pashtun women -the 35 million Pashtun women living like slaves are to be liberated. Its a big challenge for human rights organizations and for all those who have little bit of conscience.

One argument is that we should wait till other more important problems of Pashtun society are solved, and then we shall concentrate on gender and Pashtun women issues.

But we must realize that Pashtun women are 50% of Pashtun population. They are part of Pashto and Pashtunwali. We can’t wait till the times when everything will be all right with Pashtuns then we shall tackle the gender issue. It’s not an unimportant issue-its part and parcel of the whole reformation and development scheme for Pashtuns. It’s not a secondary issue. We have to take it up with war footings basis-it’s a burning issue. Pashtuns politics, culture, religion, society, international relations, education, all are related to Pashtun women too.

Pashtun women problems solution is concomitant with Pashtun problems in general. We have to adopt a holistic approach not a piece meal one. How can a Pashtun ignore for the time being the problems of his mother, wife, sister, and daughter-no way.

The emancipation of Pashtun women has political dimension but its more a religious, cultural, educational, psychological, legal and social issue. Our society, family, culture, laws, misinterpretation of religion and less opportunities of education are the main factors for the downtrodden situation of Pashtun women. As I earlier said charity begins at home. We may take start from own homes from our own wives, sisters, daughters and even mothers (I am facing a tough time with my mother. it’s very difficult to make her understand about the situation of Pashtun women).

It’s also my observation that even women themselves are great obstacle in the way of improvement of the situation of Pashtun women. Many times a mother does not wish the betterment of her own daughter. She is responsible for the wrong marriage of her daughter-she does not let her daughter to get modern education etc.

We should educate girls for good marriages and for leading a happy and full life. Those who are not educated formally may be educated informally or non formally. We must begin the charity at our own homes. Problems like early marriages, marriages without consent, purely arranged marriages etc may be discouraged with full strength. There are even such Pashtun women who can’t go to hospitals and even they have to deliver their babies at homes in the hands of elderly women or unskilled maids.

I wish some friends from Pakistan and Afghanistan may share with us the literacy rate of Pashtun women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I tried my best but could not get the required data.

There are also some so called idealists and visionaries who think that gender issues no more exist in Pashtun society and that only general economic problems for both men and women exist but no women specific problems exist any more!

I would like to remind to these friends that what about the girls schools issue in the Swat and other Pashtun regions?? Why Taliban are adamant on destroying only Pashtun girls’ schools? What about the hijab/pardah/veil/burqa Issue of Pashtun women? What about the inheritance and evidence issues of Pashtun women? What about the forced and early marriages of Pashtun girls? What about selling of Pashtun women by the name of marriages?

What about the economic opportunities issues for Pashtun women in Pashtun world? Have you seen a single Pashtun women for example a shopkeeper in the whole specially rural areas of Pashtun land? Majority of Pashtun women still depend economically and financially on their men. Can you imagine of a Pashtun lawyer in district courts in Pashtun areas'?

Can a Pashtun woman walk, travel and move freely and alone in Pashtun villages. How much is the percentage of Pashtun boys and girls in universities and colleges? And many more like these.

Pashtun women issues of discrimination exist and is in the worst form. We can’t portray a rosy picture or mix men problems with women problems. I agree there are common problems of Pashtun men and women like poverty but there are many problems which are only and only women specific.

Many Pashtun women adjust themselves with the situation and accept the reality. My mother is also like that. She does not want any change, any freedom. She is happy where she is. All the time at home except when has to go hospital or any ceremony!

Some friends think that Pashtun women face problems only in poor families but in the well off families too I have seen they don’t allow their female members to do whatever they want in a genuine manner. They are mostly at mercy of the male members. They may go to co education institutions but may not allow the girls to choose their life partner at their own sweet will. And how many well off families we have? Few in big cities. Majority of Pashtuns live in rural areas and they are either poor or middle class. Especially in tribal and mountainous areas the situation is worst.

There are various women rights organizations and feminists but not in Pashtun areas first because Pashtuns don’t let such organizations to work in their areas, second the world has not become conscious so far of the women issues in Pashtun society. We are engaged in many other areas like terrorism and political issues and the women problems have been put at back burner.


We need to build our society from bottom up and that a proper background has to be set for any change that we want to see in our society. We must bring the change in a pragmatic and effective way.

Pashtun code of life or Pashtunwali is the basic right which all Pashtun women should have but first the Pashtun basic code or Pashtunwali is not very well defined, not in written shape so far like a constitution or a legal penal or civil code and thus may not be implemented as such and many times it is abused like the honor killings of Pashtun women based on this code. Often the whole code revolves around women honor while the code says nothing of the women rights.

The gender Equality is a technical issue. I have seen that one factor for the progress of the West is gender equality. They don’t keep half of their population at homes but utilize them as human resource whether male or female. The only biological difference of reproduction mechanism of woman and man makes not a big difference. How many children will be born by a woman, 1, 2 , not dozens like by Pashtun women. Women are there in the West every where, astronauts, pilots, truck drivers, shop keepers, industrialists, mangers, teachers, etc .The gender does not stop them doing any thing. Gender is more a psychological and social issue than biological. I don’t see where in West the gender equality was a failure. only their family system is disturbed but that may not happen in the Pashtun society.

Girls’ schools issue is an issue of Pashtun society. Why it does not happen in a non Pashtun society majority of these enemies of women education , the Taliban etc are so called Pashtuns unfortunately.

Hijab and BURQA is a serious issue. It stops the free movement of women in Pashtun society and they always need a Pashtun man to guard them. Once the Pashtun women come to streets with out hijab, at least their faces open ,the Pashtun men curiosity will be satisfied and hen it will become a normal scene for them to see women as in Punjab or west or other Islamic countries like Malaysia or Turkey.

Similarly evidence and inheritance are basic issues. Pashtun women must get their equal share in inheritance for their economic independence and they may not need to bring 4 witnesses to show they are violated and two Pashtun women may not be equal to one man in evidence. Here we need religious reformation or reinterpretation of Quranic injunctions.

Let’s create awareness about the status of the Pashtun woman in the modern world so they can come to our rescue and at the same time we should be catalysts for change in our society and me models for others. Let’s establish and cooperate with NGOs working on women issues. Let’s convey our concerns to the government, women ministries and UN engaged in women related activities. Let’s do whatever possible to liberate Pashtun women from their life time imprisonment.

[Tamara]

I am really happy that you are conducting your research on dress issues of Pashtun women. Pashtun women do have some particularities as more than 90% of them have to cover even their face. Pashtuns as a whole are unfortunately are now the champions of the extremist Islam.

I would like to share one article I wrote on the status of Pashtun women with some paras on issue of dress code of Pashtun women.

Pashtun woman, a challenge to the conscience of the Humanity and human rights groups.

The status of Pashtun woman in this modern era is challenge to the humanity as a whole and the human rights groups specially. Status of Pashtun women is worse then that of a dog. Because a dog has liberty to move around but a Pashtun woman has to pass her whole house in the prison of the four walls of her house, even a dog has fundamental freedom of movement but a Pashtun woman has none!

I practically see that 95% of Pashtun women in Pakistan and Afghanistan pass their whole life within the limits of their houses, the only exceptions is that when they go to hospitals or relatives homes, many times fully covered and accompanied by a male guardian. Is it a life worthy to lead? Why about 30 millions Pashtun women are socially imprisoned.

There are many other rights like inheritance which must be given to Pashtun women. That with modern education the things are changing but I think once the Pashtun women have the basic right of free movement then they can go to universities and colleges and can participate in social events freely not necessarily under the command of their male Guardians .We must treat Pashtun women as human beings equal to men not a dependent on their men whether husbands, fathers, brothers or sons.

Let’s start a movement to liberate the 30 million Pashtun women who are prisoners in their own homes. They are born within the 4 walls and die within the 4 walls of their houses. They are sentenced with life time imprisonment. How can we liberate Pashtun women from this life time imprisonment? Let’s think and act in the right direction.

For ameliorating the status of Pashtun woman we have to take start from the scratch, from zero. We have to do some thing to take out Pashtun woman from the quagmire they have been fallen by so called Pashtun traditions, Pashtun society, Pashtun chauvinist men and false ideas and wrongly interpreted injunctions of religion and dictates of mullahs.

Some friends think that Pashtuns as a whole, both men and women are downtrodden so talking only of women is not justified.

I agree that Pashtuns as a nation, as a race, both men and women are suffering. We don’t have a single Nobel Prize holder, a single world level scientist or technologist, or philosopher or scholar etc. Yes we have suicide bombers, terrorists, Taliban, dacoits, robbers, all negative, nothing positive.

But here the theme of this article is even the worse status of women, who don’t have the basic right of movement and expression. We have to break their chains; men at least have these rights. They are economically better than women. Women totally depend on their men partners socially and economically. Situation of Pashtun women is many times worse than Pashtun men.

All of us have great ideas for the development and improvement of the status of Pashtun women but what remains is the implementation strategy. How to implement all these ideas. Charity begins at home. Let’s start from our sisters, mothers, wives, daughters, cousins, friends etc and then to expand the sphere of influence to other sectors of society. Education especially modern education and democracy are the excellent panaceas for all the ills of the Pashtun women.

We must launch a campaign against all kinds of obscurantist and fundamentalist Mullahs, Taliban and their Madrassas specially the extremist Deobandi ,Wahabi , Ahle Hadith and Salafi ones.

However the best struggle can be through peaceful means, by education, internet, youth societies, encouraging Pashtun women and men by various motivational means to understand the dilapidated status of Pashtun women in Pashtun society and adopt all ways and means to change this horrible status of Pashtun women.

Our focus should be Pashtun woman, not Pakistani woman or Muslim woman. We must think on the status of Pashtun woman whether she is in Pakistan or Afghanistan or anywhere else because Pashtun woman on account of the lethal combination of Pashtunwali and so called extremist Islam is suffering because of the traditions and tenets which are barbaric, inhuman, cruel and demonic.

There is a dire need of launching of an awareness campaign that Pashtun woman first must understand their position where they are. Then take steps to improve the situation in such a way that the traditional family system remains undisturbed but woman starts enjoying their fundamental rights of choice, expression and movement and education.

Government, Taliban and Mullahs Islam -all these may be some of the reasons of the downtrodden condition of Pashtun woman but for me the amalgam of Pashtunwali and the traditional Islam of Taliban and Mullahs is the biggest cause and on these two fronts we have to fight to improve the status of woman in Pashtun society .

On religious front there is a need of reformation and telling the Pashtun woman that they can participate in day to day activities like the wives of the Prophet and his companions. On Pashtunwali front we have to educate our Pashtun men that Pashtun woman is not the sole depositary for his honor and Pashtunwali. If his wife, sister, mother, or daughter goes around and does some business, participates in social , political and economic or educational activities or even religious activity like going to mosques, then its not the end of the world. He should not feel mortified that his woman is talking to others or doing business with others and that this is against his, honor, ghairat or Pashtunwali.

Pashtun woman is equally an independent Pashtun. A Pashtun man and Pashtun woman should deal each other on equality basis, not one superior or inferior to other ,like a perfect pair based on mutual respect, love and understanding not a boss and subordinate relationship.

I wish that all the Pashtun women are liberated from the prison of their houses with the honor of Pashtunwali but with their liberty of movement and expression and economic activities.

I need comments, feed back from Pashtun sisters and brothers that how can we liberate millions of Pashtun women from their jails in the shape of their homes. Is it possible to start a Pashtun women movement for liberating them from the clutches of their male masters, enabling them to move freely , to get education where they want and join jobs where they wish.

How can we further control this wave of Talibanization who are bent upon destroying girls’ schools in many Pashtun lands? Can we do any thing or we should leave Pashtun women at the mercy of these barbaric wolves

Pragmatism with idealism and realism with vision and imagination should be used to solve all problems and in this context the solution to the Problems of Pashtun women lies in the panacea of great ideas of democracy with its implementation in all social and political spheres and the implementation of the philosophical concepts of liberty, equality and fraternity by modern education and religious reformation and reinterpretation. We must take start from own families, homes, villages, towns, cities and countries to bring a positive change in the status of Pashtun woman.
Pashtun women dress is an important issue. More than 90 % Pashtun women even can’t show their faces in public. They have to cover their whole body like we cover a corpse in coffin. Saudi Arabia and Pashtun areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Pashtunland) are the only two examples even in Muslim world where women are obliged to cover their faces. This is a clear absurdity, an extreme stupidity in this modern era that you don’t let a human being even not to show her face.

However we should avoid extremes of shuttle cock burkas and mini skirts. If a Pashtun woman is a professional lady , if she is intelligent, if she is knowledgeable, if she is intellectual and she is Pashtun by race and by practice , she speaks Pashto, she writes Pashto , she teaches Pashto to her children - all these are important , not how she lives, where she lives , she wears skirt or paint shirt or kamees partug -these are non essential for me ,-however we should avoid both the extremes-mini skirt and shuttle cock burKa are two extremes , we should find a middle way especially when a Pashtun woman live in Pashtunland till the time comes when dress does not remain an important issue as we see now a days in modern developed world of Europe, America etc.

Marriage of Pashtun woman is also an important issue. Specially the early marriages, the purely arranged marriages etc. However the religious aspect of marriage of Pashtun men or women with Muslims or non Muslims is not my concern. Its some body individual right how to marry and where to marry. My main concern is the social, legal and economic situation of Pashtun women.

We should admit that Pashtun women have lots of social, legal and economic problems .We have to liberate Pashtun women -the 35 million Pashtun women living like slaves are to be liberated. Its a big challenge for human rights organizations and for all those who have little bit of conscience.

One argument is that we should wait till other more important problems of Pashtun society are solved, and then we shall concentrate on gender and Pashtun women issues.

But we must realize that Pashtun women are 50% of Pashtun population. They are part of Pashto and Pashtunwali. We can’t wait till the times when everything will be all right with Pashtuns then we shall tackle the gender issue. It’s not an unimportant issue-its part and parcel of the whole reformation and development scheme for Pashtuns. It’s not a secondary issue. We have to take it up with war footings basis-it’s a burning issue. Pashtuns politics, culture, religion, society, international relations, education, all are related to Pashtun women too.

Pashtun women problems solution is concomitant with Pashtun problems in general. We have to adopt a holistic approach not a piece meal one. How can a Pashtun ignore for the time being the problems of his mother, wife, sister, and daughter-no way.

The emancipation of Pashtun women has political dimension but its more a religious, cultural, educational, psychological, legal and social issue. Our society, family, culture, laws, misinterpretation of religion and less opportunities of education are the main factors for the downtrodden situation of Pashtun women. As I earlier said charity begins at home. We may take start from own homes from our own wives, sisters, daughters and even mothers (I am facing a tough time with my mother. it’s very difficult to make her understand about the situation of Pashtun women).

It’s also my observation that even women themselves are great obstacle in the way of improvement of the situation of Pashtun women. Many times a mother does not wish the betterment of her own daughter. She is responsible for the wrong marriage of her daughter-she does not let her daughter to get modern education etc.

We should educate girls for good marriages and for leading a happy and full life. Those who are not educated formally may be educated informally or non formally. We must begin the charity at our own homes. Problems like early marriages, marriages without consent, purely arranged marriages etc may be discouraged with full strength. There are even such Pashtun women who can’t go to hospitals and even they have to deliver their babies at homes in the hands of elderly women or unskilled maids.

I wish some friends from Pakistan and Afghanistan may share with us the literacy rate of Pashtun women in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I tried my best but could not get the required data.

There are also some so called idealists and visionaries who think that gender issues no more exist in Pashtun society and that only general economic problems for both men and women exist but no women specific problems exist any more!

I would like to remind to these friends that what about the girls schools issue in the Swat and other Pashtun regions?? Why Taliban are adamant on destroying only Pashtun girls’ schools? What about the hijab/pardah/veil/burqa Issue of Pashtun women? What about the inheritance and evidence issues of Pashtun women? What about the forced and early marriages of Pashtun girls? What about selling of Pashtun women by the name of marriages?

What about the economic opportunities issues for Pashtun women in Pashtun world? Have you seen a single Pashtun women for example a shopkeeper in the whole specially rural areas of Pashtun land? Majority of Pashtun women still depend economically and financially on their men. Can you imagine of a Pashtun lawyer in district courts in Pashtun areas'?

Can a Pashtun woman walk, travel and move freely and alone in Pashtun villages. How much is the percentage of Pashtun boys and girls in universities and colleges? And many more like these.

Pashtun women issues of discrimination exist and is in the worst form. We can’t portray a rosy picture or mix men problems with women problems. I agree there are common problems of Pashtun men and women like poverty but there are many problems which are only and only women specific.

Many Pashtun women adjust themselves with the situation and accept the reality. My mother is also like that. She does not want any change, any freedom. She is happy where she is. All the time at home except when has to go hospital or any ceremony!

Some friends think that Pashtun women face problems only in poor families but in the well off families too I have seen they don’t allow their female members to do whatever they want in a genuine manner. They are mostly at mercy of the male members. They may go to co education institutions but may not allow the girls to choose their life partner at their own sweet will. And how many well off families we have? Few in big cities. Majority of Pashtuns live in rural areas and they are either poor or middle class. Especially in tribal and mountainous areas the situation is worst.

There are various women rights organizations and feminists but not in Pashtun areas first because Pashtuns don’t let such organizations to work in their areas, second the world has not become conscious so far of the women issues in Pashtun society. We are engaged in many other areas like terrorism and political issues and the women problems have been put at back burner.


We need to build our society from bottom up and that a proper background has to be set for any change that we want to see in our society. We must bring the change in a pragmatic and effective way.

Pashtun code of life or Pashtunwali is the basic right which all Pashtun women should have but first the Pashtun basic code or Pashtunwali is not very well defined, not in written shape so far like a constitution or a legal penal or civil code and thus may not be implemented as such and many times it is abused like the honor killings of Pashtun women based on this code. Often the whole code revolves around women honor while the code says nothing of the women rights.

The gender Equality is a technical issue. I have seen that one factor for the progress of the West is gender equality. They don’t keep half of their population at homes but utilize them as human resource whether male or female. The only biological difference of reproduction mechanism of woman and man makes not a big difference. How many children will be born by a woman, 1, 2 , not dozens like by Pashtun women. Women are there in the West every where, astronauts, pilots, truck drivers, shop keepers, industrialists, mangers, teachers, etc .The gender does not stop them doing any thing. Gender is more a psychological and social issue than biological. I don’t see where in West the gender equality was a failure. only their family system is disturbed but that may not happen in the Pashtun society.

Girls’ schools issue is an issue of Pashtun society. Why it does not happen in a non Pashtun society majority of these enemies of women education , the Taliban etc are so called Pashtuns unfortunately.

Hijab and BURQA is a serious issue. It stops the free movement of women in Pashtun society and they always need a Pashtun man to guard them. Once the Pashtun women come to streets with out hijab, at least their faces open ,the Pashtun men curiosity will be satisfied and hen it will become a normal scene for them to see women as in Punjab or west or other Islamic countries like Malaysia or Turkey.

Similarly evidence and inheritance are basic issues. Pashtun women must get their equal share in inheritance for their economic independence and they may not need to bring 4 witnesses to show they are violated and two Pashtun women may not be equal to one man in evidence. Here we need religious reformation or reinterpretation of Quranic injunctions.

Let’s create awareness about the status of the Pashtun woman in the modern world so they can come to our rescue and at the same time we should be catalysts for change in our society and me models for others. Let’s establish and cooperate with NGOs working on women issues. Let’s convey our concerns to the government, women ministries and UN engaged in women related activities. Let’s do whatever possible to liberate Pashtun women from their life time imprisonment.

This is a really interesting article, some of the issues you've raised about women's rights have been expressed to me before but not with such great depth. Do you think you would be interested in discussing further these issues with me, like, why do you think these issues occur to such an 'extreme' degree. Moreover, from my readings many women claim agency for wearing the burka etc, and find a sense of empowerment in it. Do you feel that it can only be oppressive? Moreover, I would be interested in finding out more about the command men in the Pashtun community have over the women - as suggested in your article. I think these might be important considerations for me.

[Al Hanif]

Welcome sister

Don't listen to Baldun, he's posting propaganda, not a real member.



By the way, I'm of Moroccan descent too.

Actually, I'm the only member of Moroccan descent here.

So people probably expect me to be your "guide".



Do people actually spend years "studying" how people are dressed ?

What is the point ? What is the project ?

Anyways, Welcome sister.

[HalloIsBack]

to PF!


and pay attention to rtr (revolutionthroughreason) he loves to speak about women and their right

[Badlun]

This is a really interesting article, some of the issues you've raised about women's rights have been expressed to me before but not with such great depth. Do you think you would be interested in discussing further these issues with me, like, why do you think these issues occur to such an 'extreme' degree. Moreover, from my readings many women claim agency for wearing the burka etc, and find a sense of empowerment in it. Do you feel that it can only be oppressive? Moreover, I would be interested in finding out more about the command men in the Pashtun community have over the women - as suggested in your article. I think these might be important considerations for me.

Yes I am definitely interested to discuss Pashtun women issues with you. We can have a frank, open and useful discussion. I have my studies and experience of working with UNDP in gender issues especially in Pashtun areas.
The confluence of Pashtunwali with radical Islam is one of the reason why Pashtun women issues occur to such an extreme degree. Terrain and geography can be another reason. Tribal society , male chauvinism and political turmoil in the Pashtun belt are other reasons.

Yes many women themselves feel protected in Hijab because of social reasons and because of its demand by family and community. Segregation of men and women is a tenet and tradition as well as religious injunction in Pashtun society. This is one of the reason of rampant pedophilia and homosexuality in Pashtun society. Men when see a woman with open face become crazy and steer at her like mad bulls.

I have seen cases where Pashtun men pass hours and hours just to see the naked ankles of Pashtun women when they go to hospitals or schools. Sometimes ankles or a part of feet or hand can be the only part of Pashtun women which can be seen by outsiders. Rest of the body is completely covered including eyes and face. To protect themselves from this curiosity of men, Pashtun women feel protected in a coffin like dress.

Men are totally in charge of majority of Pashtun women. Pashtuns follow the religious injunctions in letter and spirit that men are superior to women and that a woman cannot go outside without the company of a male. Economy is totally the sole responsibility of men and women without financial autonomy are in absolute obedience to men as money makes the mare go.

[Badlun]

I will also share with you my another post here that why extremism is found amongst Pashtuns.

The lethal combination of extremist Islam and Pashtunwali


Terrorism has been concentrated in Pashtun areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, besides the Terrorism in Iraq, Srilanka, Colombia and few other places in the world. Pashtun areas present the worst scene. In Afghanistan 100 % suicide bombers and fighters against the Afghan and other forces are Pashtuns. In Pakistan they are almost 80%. Majority are Pashtun boys and girls .

Why this is so? Its mostly because of the lethal combination of Pashtunwali and Wahabi Deobandi extremist Islam. Two fires have been merged into a gigantic flame.

Pashtuns being sincere , simple, independent minded people and Wahabi teachings of promulgation of Sharia without state make a very dangrious mixture and threat to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the world at large.

I know that Terrorism is a multidiemnsional phenomenon. The lethal combination of Pashtunwali and extremist Islam is the major cause of terrorism -not the only cause - army , intelligence agencies , new world order, new great game, poverty, ignorance , illiteracy, misunderstanding of religious teachings , ethnicity, separatism, nationalism, sense of deprivation, oppression ,economic or cultural disadvantage, non democracy, wrong globalization ,inferiority complex, etc can be other reasons.

For me in our context Pashtunwali+extremist Islam are the main reason of terrorism , suicide bombings etc.

Why???????? because its happening there , in Pashtun areas physically practically no where else ,,,,,,I personally know that these are Pakhtuns who explode themselves , very few from other races in Pakistan and Afghanistan ,,in Iraq yes they are Arabs etc , in Srilanka Tamils .

You might have heard the story that one judge arrested the man who was robbed instead of arresting the thief ,,,because the man provided the opportunity of theft to the thief ,,,,,,,,This is we Pakhtuns who let others to play with us ,we are suscitible ,,,,,,the fault lies with us that Arabs and Americans and Panjabis etc play with us ..Why we let them to do so ...Why they dont do it with others why with us only ,,,,,,,,,,

We have to dismantle the lethal combination of extremist Islam and Pakhtunwali ,,,,,,,,,otherwise Pakhtuns will suffer further and will be victimized.

Pakhtuns as a whole are not extremists .I use the word extremist for Islamists not for Pakhtuns and for me the mixture of Pakhtunwali and extremist Islam is lethal not Pakhtunwali separately or Islam as a religion separately.

When Islam in the shape of extremism, fundamentalism, obscurantism , Puritanism , fanaticism, immoderation, zealotry, activism, intemperance, radicalism is merged with the innocence, sincerity , hospitality, honesty , genuineness, earnestness, naturalness, unexpectedness, authenticity and candor of Pakhtuns , then it becomes dangerous.

Here one may note that for me Pakhtunwali is positive , extremist Islam is negative , Pakhtunwali is a fertile soil for the weeds of extremist Islam where it flourishes with vigor.

The more Pakhtuns are less religious extremists , lesser will be the chances of terrorism. I always suggest that the best way to combat terrorism in Pakhtun areas is to make the Pakhtuns aware of their Pakhtunwali and to create distance between Pakhtuns and extremist Islam or any ideology because Pakhtuns are simple , sometimes simpleton or even stupid and are easily deceived and cheated by others

I have first hand experience of observing extremist Islam in Pakhtuns and have enough knowledge of ground reality. The solution is to make Pakhtuns more practicing Pakhtuns and limit the religion only to metaphysical beliefs , worship and a kind of morality not interfering in social, political and other aspects of life.

[Wahe Guru]

Yes I am definitely interested to discuss Pashtun women issues with you. We can have a frank, open and useful discussion. I have my studies and experience of working with UNDP in gender issues especially in Pashtun areas.
The confluence of Pashtunwali with radical Islam is one of the reason why Pashtun women issues occur to such an extreme degree. Terrain and geography can be another reason. Tribal society , male chauvinism and political turmoil in the Pashtun belt are other reasons.

Yes many women themselves feel protected in Hijab because of social reasons and because of its demand by family and community. Segregation of men and women is a tenet and tradition as well as religious injunction in Pashtun society. This is one of the reason of rampant pedophilia and homosexuality in Pashtun society. Men when see a woman with open face become crazy and steer at her like mad bulls.

I have seen cases where Pashtun men pass hours and hours just to see the naked ankles of Pashtun women when they go to hospitals or schools. Sometimes ankles or a part of feet or hand can be the only part of Pashtun women which can be seen by outsiders. Rest of the body is completely covered including eyes and face. To protect themselves from this curiosity of men, Pashtun women feel protected in a coffin like dress.

Men are totally in charge of majority of Pashtun women. Pashtuns follow the religious injunctions in letter and spirit that men are superior to women and that a woman cannot go outside without the company of a male. Economy is totally the sole responsibility of men and women without financial autonomy are in absolute obedience to men as money makes the mare go.

lol..surprising how much new information and knowledge we can obtain on the Internet.

[Kushan Prince]

Welcome to the forums sister.

[DaZahroJaam.]

you bring out the negatives of your culture when you are amongst yourselves so you can help to improve those points, not taunt each other about them or display them to strangers who want to know about your culture. some of you are like five year old idiots.

[Tamara]

you bring out the negatives of your culture when you are amongst yourselves so you can help to improve those points, not taunt each other about them or display them to strangers who want to know about your culture. some of you are like five year old idiots.

It is important for me to express that I am not necessarily agreeing with any one perspective here I am merely just trying to gather different perspectives. Do you disagree with some of the stuff expressed below, if so, would you like to present your opinion, I'd be very interested to hear it?