Stoning Rukhshana
Why is a 19-year-old girl stoned to death?
Women’s Roles Are Changing in Afghan Society
Three women in the working world tell the Afghan Women’s Writing Project how they are opening new doors to employment for Afghan women in society.
On International Women’s Day
How shall I celebrate my day?
Should I observe it with awards
For successful women?
Or sit with the victims of violence?
Doors
Everyone has an opinion.
One says, stop your job.
Another says, you should not have married
or you should not have children.
A Different Kind of Day
The radio talks of successful women.
It talks of women in Parliament.
It talks of girls going to school.
Hearing this good news brings me hope.
Star
Sitara, you shine in Afghanistan’s sky,
make your small house bright.
I heard the news about your cutting—
how you lost your ears, nose and lips.
I Am a Girl
My mother wants to
send me to school.
My father wants to
sell me for dollars.
Where Am I?
I am looking to find myself in all the crowded streets.
Where am I?
Am I in the street of love, of education?
The Problem of Love Marriages
Soraya’s family finally agreed to consider the proposal of marriage and said, “Okay, come tomorrow for our final answer.”