Carol Mann

The recent commotion about the veil in France and the ongoing saga concerning the Afghan   burka prompts one to think a little further about the issues concerned. Assorted pundits have been debating about whether or not such a prescription is indeed to be found explicitly stated in the Q’uran (it is n’t) or if and [...]

Now that the self-congratulations and the religious chanting has ended , at the so called Peace Jirga, it’s time to state clearly what has been achieved for the country and especially for 50% of its population – women. The answer is simple: from quite bad we are heading for perfectly dreadful. The only female deputy [...]

Do check it out
A grim summary, alas….
This was organized with Libération daily and made it to the front page of their site in May
http://www.liberation.fr/monde/06012009-carol-mann-la-malediction-des-femmes-en-afghanistan

Whilst doing some research, i came across startling information which you can check on sites pertaining to Afghan economy. When Afghanistan tries to export grapes and raisins to India and Turkey (who are  their main trading partners), between 50-55% taxes are slapped on to the export price. Of course, this is classic protectionist policy- Iran [...]

This has been my subject of research for many years. My latest book covers the two world wars in Europe and the US and has many hitherto unpublished documents written by women on different fronts, including the Warsaw Ghetto. it’s the work of a lifetime, I’ve been collecting data for many many years as this [...]

Dear Cynthia Cockburn
I  have been following the exchanges on various lists and I am writing to you about Afghanistan,. First, I need to introduce myself for you to see where I’m coming  from. I am a scholar and activist based in Paris, specialized in the issue of Afghan women in war. Although affiliated with SOAS, [...]

The Afghan Wolesi Jirga is in the midst of voting for the cabinet ministers.
Three women had been incluuded: Palwasha Hassan was announced as nominee for Minister of Women’s Affairs (MoWA,  Suraya Dalil, as   Minister  of  Public Health and Amina Afzalirk  for Social Affairs/Martyred and Disabled. The first two were rejected. Through our friends at [...]

Human Rights Watch  published a report last December on women’s condition in Afghanistan. it is worse than appalling. Eight years and nearly nine billion dollars later, the situation for women in rural areas that dominate the country has barely evolved. Furthermore, in the past four years or so, in many cases, any progress acheived has [...]

Human Rights watch has just published an appalling report about the condition of women after eight years of NATO + US presence. One of the main reasons may well be the persistence of customary law, reinforced by reactionary politics.
This is an a brief article I wrote about the subject which just appeared in the Japan [...]

The more I think of these extra 30 000 troops trundling into Afghanistan, soon to be followed I fear by other NATO conscripts, the more I think that this is definitely the wrong thing to do. Afghanistan needs all the help it can get in terms of aid and reconstruction, yes, absolutely but I really [...]