Kathleen Wells, J.D.: Prince Abdul Ali Seraj on the Status of Women in Afghanistan (Part 1)

Prince Abdul Ali Seraj: After his world trip in 1927, my uncle, His Majesty King Amanullah, decreed that in order for Afghanistan to join other progressive nations of the world and to take its rightful place in the twentieth century, the country needed the service of both its male as well as its female population.

He not only introduced Queen Soraya, without the traditional veil, to the public, but soon thereafter sent a group of 16 girls to attend medical school in Turkey. He later sent another group of girls to study in France. The foreign enemies of the state (the British) used these policies against King Amanullah and instigated a revolution that eventually forced the King to abdicate.

Prince Seraj: Historically, the Afghan women have always stood by their men. In fact, their bravery in times of defending their family or country is heralded in our history books. Rudyard Kipling had some choice verses about the valor of the Afghan women. During battles, the women accompanied the men in order to cook for them or take care of their injuries.

Unfortunately, even today, as it was then, the women do not enjoy all the rights that they have under the constitution. Even though the role of women today is very evident in the Parliament, the government, and the education system, still, they are considered as subservient to the male sector. In the provinces, the veil is very evident and in many areas of the country, a woman's presence is not welcomed within the male population. - Kathleen Wells, J.D.: Prince Abdul Ali Seraj on the Status of ...
Prince Abdul Ali Seraj on the Status of Women in Afghanistan (Part 1) - huffingtonpost