Hallo iedereen!
Ik zit in mijn laatste jaar middelbaar in België en dus moet ik twee onderzoekscompetenties schrijven - één voor Engels. Deze is geschreven, maar morgen moeten we onze bevindingen voorstellen in klas. Ik doe de inleiding en heb daar dus ook in het kort een historisch kader geschetst. Hetgeen jullie hieronder vinden is dus níét de hele presentatie, juist het begin. Zou iemand zo lief willen zijn dit na te lezen? c:
Good afternoon everyone
The book we read and did research on is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This novel takes on the position of women in Afghan society from 1959 until 2002. During this period of time, lots of governments rose and fell, including Mohammed Zahir’s and Mohammed Daoud’s kingship, the communist reign over Afghanistan, the Taliban era and a short period after the expulsion of the terrorist organization from the country.
The question we asked ourselves is the following: Starting from the book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, how realistic is the image Khaled Hosseini depicts of the evolution concerning women’s position in Afghan society from 1959 until 2002?
To be able to correctly assess this research question, it’s essential to first take a look at reality and the history of Afghanistan before 1959. Therefore that’s exactly what I’m about to do right now.
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as we call the country today, first gained its independence in 1919 and King Amanullah Kahn rose to power. During this era, women’s rights improved significantly. The king spoke out against secluding women from everyday society and wanted to give them more liberty. Under his reign, he abolished rules that forced women to cover their faces, ended slavery and rather progressive for that era, he established special schools for girls. Amanullah’s kingship ended in 1929 due to a civil war. From then on until 1933, when king Mohammed Zahir ascended the throne, Afghanistan was in pure chaos. During this short period of time, the country saw three kings come and go, all of which at a greater or lesser extent lacked women’s fundamental rights.
Mentioned should be that in 1931, a constitution was written. This included an article stating all Afghan citizens were equal. Theoretically, this meant women were equal to men, but de facto women were not specified and thus were only allowed their rights at the grace of their men and the government.
It was only when Mohammed Zahir became king in 1933 that women were once again treated decently and more equally. Among other things, they were allowed to practice prominent roles in society, drive, travel and have jobs in the healthcare and school sector. In the 1970’s (Zahir ruled over the country until 1973), they were even granted the right to work in the government.
Alvast bedankt!
[ bericht aangepast op 7 mei 2017 - 19:12 ]
Even as we grieved, we grew; even as we hurt, we hoped; even as we tired, we tried