One day in December my mother gave me 100 Afghanis to go to the bazaar and buy some bread for dinner. But I lost the money on the way. When I came home I had to explain to my mother what had happened.
“Mom, the money fell out when I was walking. I couldn’t find it again. I lost it,” I said.
“No problem, my daughter,” my mother said to me. “Take better care next time.”
Then I heard the story of a woman murdered by her husband over 50 Afghanis (less than $1 US). Have you ever heard of a man killing his wife for 50 AF? It is hard to believe, but unfortunately it is fact. According to reports, the woman, Zarmina, lived in Baghlan province with her five children. Her husband was a drug addict who came home once a week, beat his wife and demanded her money. He wanted her ring to sell for drugs.
One day, Zarmina gave her daughter 100 Afghanis and sent her out to buy a 50 Afghani phone card. When her daughter returned without the change, Zarmina shouted at her. At that moment, the woman’s husband came home and overheard. As he was beating the girl, Zarmina intervened.
“Don’t beat my daughter,” she said. “It was my money, not yours.”
Her husband demanded to know how much money she had. When she did not answer he picked up an ax and threatened her. When she refused to give him the money, he chopped her in the head with the ax, killing her. Then he fled to Mazar-e-Sharif.
It is hard for me to even imagine such cruelty. But there are other reports. Setara lived in Herat province with her four children and drug-addicted husband. He also beat her and forced her to turn over her jewelry to him to sell for opium. In the past, Setara had always stayed silent. But one day in December she said no and her husband beat her and cut her lips and nose with a knife.
Setara was taken to a hospital in Herat province. Doctors say the reconstructive surgery Setara requires is not available in Afghanistan.
This is life for some Afghan women. What can bring an end to such violence? When will Afghan women live in peace and security?
I pray for it to stop. I say to Allah: “Merciful God, I hope everyone can have beautiful and kind parents like mine.”
By Mahsa, age 13
Dearest Mahsa: You have done a beautiful job asking important questions. The cruelty here is hard to bear, hard to look at with clear eyes, but you are doing it, and you are helping your readers see what’s at stake. I personally believe that as long as any person feels they have the right to kill another person–for whatever reason–our civilization is at stake. And then, to see human life treated so cheaply, as if it is not even dirt–it’s an overwhelming pain. You are telling these stories so well, getting right to the heart of the matter. Keep up the excellent work. Stacy
Dear Masha — These were difficult stories for me to read but so important to know what kind of cruelty is happening in your world. Thank you for writing this unflinching essay and for giving voice to not only to these particular women but to women everywhere who endure such treatment. Raising awareness of this is one step towards making it stop. I applaud you for taking it. Best wishes, Nancy
Thank you, Mahsa, for your courage in speaking out and the gentleness yet strength of your wish.
I’m glad this experience that happened to others hasn’t happened to you. Many people kill for many reasons, sometimes people are violent just because they choose to. I know it can be hard to cope and get used to the violence. Anyway has anything bad happened to you because of money? It can be rough but you can run from it or think to change it. I know how it feels about violence because of money, especially from family.
Child be hopeful one day world will not change.you change the world.where there is money there is violence but it is not universal theory like everyone believe.be god bless you.