Girls and women speak out from Afghan moral prisons: Tackling extremism and violence against women in a conflict environment

Journal article


Mahendru, R. 2020. Girls and women speak out from Afghan moral prisons: Tackling extremism and violence against women in a conflict environment. Global Public Health. 16 (5), pp. 729-745. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1851384
AuthorsMahendru, R.
Abstract

This empirical research documented voices of women and girls in female shelters and prisons in Samangan, Laghman and Wardak provinces who experienced systematic sexual and gender based violence before and after they escaped forced marriages, forced virginity tests, physical and sexual violence. Women who challenged the status quo, fundamentalism and extremism faced imprisonment for up to five years. The research interviewed primary, secondary and territory health care professionals, who carried out or witnessed invasive virginity tests. The evidence suggests that women are being deprived of basic human rights of exercising autonomy and freedom. It shows difficulties some health professionals’ encounter in documenting, reporting and treating cases of violence against women and girls. The research concludes that a survivor-centered approach, and secular framework is required against tyranny, misogyny and oppression. Instead of imposing moral arguments and harmful laws that undermine women’s rights, brave leadership at many levels is required to tackle health inequities, dismantle patriarchy, counter fundamentalism and other entrenched systems of inequality. A new kind of feminist citizenship is needed not based on identity but political values.

KeywordsPublic health; Environmental and occupational health; Afghan women and girls; Violence against women
Year2020
JournalGlobal Public Health
Journal citation16 (5), pp. 729-745
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN1744-1692
1744-1706
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1851384
Official URLhttps://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1851384
Publication dates
Online30 Nov 2020
Print04 May 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted27 Aug 2020
Deposited10 May 2021
Accepted author manuscript
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Additional information

Imported by JPR.

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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/8xv07/girls-and-women-speak-out-from-afghan-moral-prisons-tackling-extremism-and-violence-against-women-in-a-conflict-environment

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Accepted author manuscript
RGPH-2020-0285_Girls and Women_Ritu_final for T&F.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Open

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